Staff

Alesha is a law clerk with Buhl, Little, Lynwood & Harris, PLC. She is currently a third-year law student at Cooley Law School, where she serves as Student Bar Association President, Lead Dean’s Fellow, a Teaching Assistant for Research & Writing, and an Associate Editor of the Thomas M. Cooley Law Review. She also competes as an oralist on the Jessup International Moot Court team.

During law school, Alesha has earned multiple academic honors, including Certificates of Merit in Torts, Research & Writing I, Advocacy, Criminal Law, Advanced Legal Research, Law Practice Law Office Management and Learning from Observation. She is also a recipient of an honors scholarship.

Alesha earned her undergraduate degree from Thiel College, graduating magna cum laud. Prior to attending law school, she worked for five years as a paralegal in a child protective services office and spent two years as a crisis intervention specialist. These experiences shaped her commitment to client-centered advocacy and strengthened her ability to listen carefully and respond thoughtfully to complex, sensitive situations.

Originally from Emporium, Pennsylvania, Alesha now resides in Lansing with her husband, Liam. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, golfing, and spending time with family and friends. She has traveled to 15 countries and looks forward to continuing those international adventures.

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.

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. Outside of the office, she is continuing her education with a focus in
Psychology and Social Work. Courtney enjoys exploring thrift and antique stores, as
well as reading, crafting, and spending time with her loved ones and pets.

Penny is the Office Manager at BLLH, bringing years of legal experience to the firm’s
administrative operations. She transitioned into this role after specializing in long-
term care planning, estate and trust administration, and probate court matters. As
a former paralegal, Penny possesses a deep understanding of legal case
management, allowing her to manage the billing process with clarity and the best
way to communicate that to clients. She applies the same attention to detail to the
firm’s billing as she previously did to client files. Outside of work, Penny lives in
Jackson with her husband and daughter, where she enjoys gardening and diving
into a good psychological thriller.

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Tammy joined BLLH in March 2026. She has an Associate Degree from Davenport University in the executive secretarial field. Early in her career, she was drawn to Human Resources and has spent many years working for statewide associations and non-profit organizations in various HR roles. She strives to be a positive, professional employee and always has a warm smile for clients and team members.

Tammy is a woman of strong faith. When not at work, she loves spending time with her grandchildren! Her attention-seeking shih-tzu Jubi (Jubilee) also keeps her quite busy. She enjoys reading, crafting, bowling, playing pool, wine tasting, and traveling. Although Michigan is her home, she has also lived in Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio.

Emy joined the BLLH team in February 2026 and is excited to bring her background in office administration. She demonstrated her customer-service oriented disposition and passion for organization as an office manager and legal assistant before joining BLLH. She looks forward to the opportunity to work with and learn from the attorneys at our firm.

Emy is thrilled to spend as much time with her son, Sterling, as possible. She strives to be the best mother that she can be. In her free time, she enjoys taking naps, doing various crafts, and adding whimsy to her life whenever possible.

Bernadette Hayes received her paralegal certification in July of 2021, and she also
completed advanced paralegal courses in estate planning and family law. She
worked with BLLH as a legal assistant prior to advancing to her paralegal position.
Bernadette enjoys working with the attorney and clients through their estate
planning process.

Outside of work, Bernadette loves to garden, enjoys spending time with family and
pets, and enjoys hiking.

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 Legal Studies
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.

Karslyn joined the BLLH team in February 2026 bringing years of customer service and management experience with a strong focus on communication, organization and client care.

Karslyn is eager to continue learning and growing within the legal field and is committed to supporting both BLLH and their clients with professionalism and attention to detail. During her free time, she likes to relax at home with a good book and her two cats.

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, you will find Erin at the barn, or out for a ride, with her
horse Baby Girl Rose. Erin also enjoys spending time with her boys at various
motocross tracks around Michigan.

Hannah joined the BLLH team in September 2024. She has had a lifelong passion for
law and aspires to further her studies with a focus on 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.

Jenny has worked as a paralegal in elder law, Medicaid planning, and estate planning
since September 1999, bringing decades of experience and a deep understanding of
Medicaid policy and the application process. Her knowledge, attention to detail, and
genuine compassion make her a strong advocate for her clients during what is often a
complex and emotional time.

Known for her friendly personality and sense of humor, Jenny has a natural ability to put
clients at ease as they navigate the challenges of long-term care planning and the
Medicaid application process. She approaches her work with both professionalism and
empathy, ensuring each client feels supported every step of the way.

Outside of the office, Jenny enjoys spending time with her children and especially loves
spending quality time with her grandchildren. She also has a passion for photography,
animals, crafting, and connecting with friends. A lifelong resident of the Dewitt/St. Johns
area, Jenny values her community and the relationships she has built there over the
years.

Karis joined BLLH in October 2024, bringing experience from her previous role as
Deputy Probate Register at the Charlevoix County Probate Court. There, she built a
strong foundation in court procedures, case management, and client interaction–skills
she carries into her work today. Known for her attention to detail and organized
approach, Karis focuses on delivering practical solutions that best serve clients and
colleagues alike. Outside the office, Karis stays active as a member of the Lansing
Women’s Rugby Team. She values the sense of community the sport provides and
enjoys the competition it brings.

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 working as a paralegal 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.