GETTING TO KNOW: Andrew Babnik Jr.

By Teresa Killeen
Washtenaw County Bar Association

Andrew Babnik Jr. was born and raised in New York. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law and is a former Division I college lacrosse goalie and club ice hockey goalie.

In Florida, Babnik was a member of the law firm of Jorge E. Otero and Associates, spearheading the firm’s family law and condominium law departments. Babnik recently moved from Miami to Michigan to work for the firm of Kelly & Kelly PC in Northville, where he is an integral part of the firm’s trust, probate, and estate planning team as well as the firm’s family law team. He is licensed to practice law in Michigan,
Florida, New York, and New Jersey.

A resident of Saline, Babnik has worked with a wide range of disciplines in cases involving estate planning, probate litigation, business and commercial litigation, corporate formation for real estate and estate planning purposes, contract litigation, general civil litigation, tort law, family law and transactional real estate.

When you were considering law school, what was Plan B?
There never was one. For as long as I could remember I wanted to be a lawyer. From my first episode of “Law and Order” to my first horrifying moment as a 1L explaining the federal rules of civil procedure in front of a lecture of room of 100 fellow “canes,” I never looked to anything other than the law.

What is your proudest moment as a lawyer?
Each and every time a client looks at me with a sense of relief that their case is successfully concluded or their estate plan is completed.

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
Clients who thank me for taking time to explain details of the legal system and making the complication of their issues easy to understand.

What would surprise people about your job?
That no matter your age, no matter your financial possession, everyone can benefit from some form of an estate plan consultation.

What is your most treasured material possession?
A lucky coin given to me by my wife’s grandfather (the coin was in my pocket for four passing bar exams).

What word do you overuse?
The same word I think most lawyers are forced to use: It “depends.”

What was always written on your grade school report card?
“Andrew is an eager learner always looking for the next challenge.”

What is your most typical mood?
I am as Type A as they come, so while I wish I could say “relaxed,” in reality I am planning the next task, the next assignment, the next strategy, both for my work life and personal life.

Favorite websites?
I am a big sports guy, so the standard NHL.com and ESPN.com in addition to ICLE.org to stay ahead of the legal changes in the state.

What is your happiest childhood memory?
Looking up from the ice and seeing my father in the stands of every hockey game and practice, coaching me from the stands, providing support and encouragement. I will always cherish those road trips all over the tri-state area/country.

When you look back into the past, what do you miss most?
The time with teammates in college and junior hockey. Those bonds will last a lifetime, but there was nothing like the carefree moments before and after games or practices before we all grew up and realized what real pressure and responsibility entailed.

If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be?
Any professional hockey goalie. Ever since getting to play in between periods of an NHL game as a 10-year-old, I have dreamed of being able to do so professionally.

What were you doing in your last selfie?
Exploring the wineries of Traverse City area with my wife.

What do you wish someone would invent?
A way to screen political banter from a family holiday dinner table.

Who is on your guest list for the ideal dinner party?
My family, especially my late grandfather. While there are many in history who could provide amazing insight and stories, there is nothing like a table filled with my family.

If you could have witnessed any event in history, what would it be?
My grandfather’s journey to the United States during the war. There is no greater story then a man who escaped Nazi capture, badly injured, only to have the nurse who cared for him be his wife and they go on to raise eight children in the U.S., each of whom has raised successful and respected children. 

What question do you most often ask yourself?
What have I done to deserve such luck in life, love, and success?

What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been?
The mountains of Colorado.

What’s something you changed your mind about recently?
Owning your own home and starting your own family isn’t as easy as my parents made it look, but it sure is worth it. 

What is something most people don’t know about you?
I enjoy the mountain of yard work that comes with our first home purchase, even if that’s not always evident.

What is one thing you would like to learn to do?
Speak another language.

What is the best advice you ever received?
Turn adversity into prosperity.

Favorite local hangouts?
Brecon Grille in Saline is my go-to place for great food and service when my wife and I get some time together away from work.