Staff

Amanda completed her Paralegal Associate of Business degree at Lansing Community College, graduating with high honors. Her years of serving clients through her small business provided opportunities to build excellent business and client relationships. After years of excelling with her own business and caring deeply about ethical issues, she was drawn to law. Her desire to help others, love for processes, and organizational skills have proven to be assets. In her free time, she finds energy by doing yard work, mosaic art, and attending her local fitness center.

Penny, BLLH’s office manager, transitioned into this role after years of helping families with long-term care planning, estate and trust administration and matters involving probate court. As a former paralegal, Penny’s extensive experience helps her in having a sound understanding of the types of work reflected on the billing and the best way to communicate that to clients. She brings the same attention to detail and focus to our billing as she did her client file work. Outside of work, Penny lives in Jackson with her husband and daughter, and you will likely find her volunteering with her daughter’s dance company and working backstage at performances.

Courtney’s experience in customer service, quality assurance, and management combined with her desire to learn provide her with the readiness to take on whatever comes her way. Other than continuing her education and embarking on this new journey at BLLH, Courtney enjoys going to concerts, doing yoga, watching scary movies, and spending time with her loved ones both human and feline.

Bernadette Hayes received her Paralegal Certification in July of 2021, and she has also completed advanced paralegal courses in estate planning and family law. Bernadette has experience working as a legal secretary/administrative assistant and is very excited to begin her career with Buhl, Little, Lynwood & Harris PLC. Bernadette looks forward to working with the BLLH team, and to broadening her knowledge of Estate Planning.

Outside of work, Bernadette enjoys spending time with her family, enjoying nature, and spending time with her pets. Bernadette also enjoys gardening and horticulture, having been an Advanced Master Gardener through Michigan State University since 2006.

Christine M. Kloack has experience in probate matters, estate planning, trust administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and office management. A summa cum laude graduate of the Baker College Paralegal Program, she served on the program’s Paralegal Advisory Board, and has spoken to students about her experiences in this field. She currently serves on the Lansing Community College Paralegal Advisory Board. Her Probate, Wills and Trusts class at Baker College led to an internship with the Jackson County Probate Court, and started her on a career path where she feels that she is helping to make a difference in people’s lives when they may be struggling with how to help an elderly family member or the death of a loved one. Christine has a compassionate, positive, engaging approach to client concerns. During her free time she enjoys spending time with her family.

Erin graduated in the spring of 2019 with an Associates of Applied Science, Paralegal Studies. Erin’s previous work experience includes many years as a HIPAA compliance Paralegal, concentrating in medical records and protected health information privacy and security. Outside of work, Erin volunteers at a horse rescue & sanctuary, where she adopted a mustang of her own, Tucker. Erin also enjoys spending time with her children at various motocross tracks around Michigan.

Hannah joined the BLLH team in September 2024. She is currently attending LCC and working towards her Paralegal Certification. She has had a lifelong passion for law and aspires to further her studies with a focus in family and criminal justice. Hannah has previous experience working in a medical office, adhering to HIPAA guidelines, and multiple years of customer service. She brings strong organizational skills and a genuine desire to help others. She has an elderly chihuahua, who is spunky for her age, despite having no teeth. Hannah also loves everything Twenty One Pilots, her favorite band.

Andrea joins BLLH with extensive experience having worked in the banking industry before transitioning into the world of healthcare. She has a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Health Science from Alma College. Partnered with her work experience, Andrea’s personal background as a caregiver and patient advocate to her husband, Chris, offers a unique opportunity for her to share her personal experiences as she assists families through the long-term care and estate planning. Andrea and her family currently reside in St. Louis. When not at work, she loves spending time with her family, especially shopping trips with her daughter, Allison, or playing flute with a professional flute choir, which she also directs.

Jenny has been a paralegal in elder law, Medicaid planning, and estate planning since September 1999. With an extraordinary working knowledge of Medicaid policy and the application process, Jenny’s experience, thoroughness and caring nature, serve her well as she advocates on behalf of clients. Her friendly personality and humor help put our clients at ease as they navigate the often stressful long-term care process. In her free time, Jenny enjoys spending time out-of-doors, photography, and playing autoharp in a band that performs at local nursing homes. Jenny currently lives in Portland near her two adult children.

Karis joined the BLLH team in October 2024, bringing with her a wealth of experience from her previous role as the Deputy Probate Register at the Charlevoix County Probate Court. Motivated by a desire for personal growth and a fresh start in a new city, Karis has embraced this career shift with enthusiasm and determination. Her commitment to excellence is evident not only in her professional endeavors but also in her dedication to self-development and community involvement. With a genuine passion for making a positive impact, Karis is excited to contribute to the BLLH team and its mission.

Darlinda began working as a legal assistant in 2019, changing gears after many years in the banking and accounting industries. Her wide range of experiences and multi-tasking skills have made her an invaluable addition to the team. Darlinda enjoys spending time with her husband Sam and their “fur” child Maxx, camping, reading, craft shows, and volunteering at her church in her spare time. Darlinda lives in Lansing.

Before becoming a legal assistant at BLLH, Melissa was a thrift store manager for a local non-profit and an elementary school teacher. Her love for helping others has carried over into her role at BLLH as she helps and cares for each of our clients. When Melissa is not at work she enjoys volunteering as a costume designer for a local high school drama club, crafting, and spending time with friends and family. Melissa lives in Lansing with her husband and her pet rabbit, Carlos.