Staff

Josie Alberta

Josie L. Alberta

Paralegal

Josie graduated in the spring of 2019 with a Paralegal Certificate from Lansing Community College, after graduating from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2016. Josie worked in the mental health field for four years before shifting focus to a career as a paralegal. Josie’s experience working with vulnerable adults and helping those in need makes her an excellent fit for estate planning and elder law. In her free time, Josie enjoys rock concerts and spending time with friends and family.

Penny S. Buckles

Penny S. Buckles

Office Manager

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.

Blank Profile Photo

Serina French

Legal Assistant

Serina received her Paralegal Certification from Kansas State University in 2016 and joins BLLH from an extensive background in public safety communications. Serina’s experience working in 911 has demonstrated a level of customer service that she instills in her professional relationships. Her hope is that the love she has for all people translates to the clients she meets as it has in her previous positions and personal life. In her free time, she enjoys activities with her daughter, playing outside with her two toy poodles Maggie and Toby, and attends as many Indianapolis Colts football games as she can.

Bernadette Hayes

Administrative Assistant

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.

Erin A. Henderson

Paralegal

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.

Christine M. Kloack

Christine M. Kloack

Paralegal

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.

Andrea Onstott

Andrea L. Onstott

Paralegal

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 S. Reeves

Jenny S. Reeves

Paralegal

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.

Courtney Risdon

Courtney Risdon

Legal Assistant

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.

Darlinda Van Etten

Darlinda Van Etten

Administrative Assistant

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.

Melissa Witmer

Melissa S. Witmer

Paralegal

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.