Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlin Koshiba.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I graduated from Cadillac High School in 2006 and went on to Western Michigan University, where I earned my degree in Global Studies in 2010 with a double minor in Japanese and Business. During college, I had the opportunity to spend a year studying abroad in Japan, which was a life-changing experience. Not only did I deepen my love for Japanese language and culture, but I also met my husband, who is Japanese.
In 2013, we started a Japanese language tutoring company together, and I personally passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test at the N3 level, which means I could live and work in Japan using Japanese professionally if I chose to. At the same time, I built a career in the healthcare IT industry, where I worked for nearly 15 years.
My path to becoming an attorney began when a close family member was wrongfully accused and convicted of a crime she did not commit. That experience lit a fire in me to pursue law and fight for justice. I took the LSAT, enrolled at Barry University School of Law in Orlando, and graduated in 2021. After passing the Michigan Bar Exam in February 2022, I opened my own law firm in July 2022. Since then, I’ve represented clients in criminal defense, family law, probate, and real property matters—always driven by the values of truth and justice.
Now, I’m pivoting my practice toward immigration law, where I can bring together my international studies background and personal experience navigating the U.S. immigration system, while still serving families in probate and family law.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. The hardest experience I’ve ever faced was having a close family member go to prison for three years for something they didn’t do. Watching someone I love go through that, knowing they didn’t deserve to be there, was devastating. But that experience became the driving force behind my decision to finish law school as quickly as possible and commit my career to helping others who find themselves victims of a justice system that isn’t always perfect.
Since starting my own firm as a brand-new attorney, there have certainly been challenges. Like any new lawyer, I had to navigate steep learning curves in practice and in running a law office. Fortunately, I had prior business experience, which gave me a foundation to build from. More importantly, I’ve been blessed with a strong network of mentoring attorneys who have been willing to share their wisdom and answer questions whenever I needed guidance.
I’m still only three years into practice, and I know I have so much more to learn. But the support I’ve received, coupled with the passion I carry from my own family’s experience, has kept me grounded and motivated to keep growing as an advocate.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My firm, Koshiba Law, PLLC, is based in Cadillac, Michigan, and I focus on helping people through some of life’s most difficult transitions. I represent clients in family law matters such as divorce and child custody, as well as probate cases involving wills, estates, and guardianships or conservatorships. I also assist clients with estate planning—drafting documents and preparing deeds to ensure their loved ones are cared for and their property is passed on in the smoothest way possible.
What truly sets my practice apart is my commitment to communication and transparency. Before I became an attorney, I was once on the client side of the legal system, and one of my biggest frustrations was not being able to reach my attorney or understand where my money was going. I vowed to do things differently. My clients know they can count on me for timely communication, and I provide full transparency in billing so there are no surprises—every client can clearly see how their resources are being used.
I am also excited about pivoting my practice toward business-based immigration, where I can bring together my background in international studies and my identity as a “world citizen” to serve clients navigating our rapidly changing global environment. At its core, my brand is about advocacy with integrity, empathy, and clarity—ensuring that every client feels heard, supported, and informed.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Don’t wait for perfect. Just do it. Then get better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.koshiba.law
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/koshibalaw
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlin-koshiba-140a361b4/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kaitlinkoshiba1878?si=wQoH9deUAlG5sHjb
