Monday Profile: Sally Babbitt

Originally from Eaton Rapids, Sally Babbitt attended Albion College, where she majored in accounting. After working 10 years in a multi-state manufacturing company, Babbitt took a few years off to raise her two children. During that time, she also earned a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Now an attorney with Lasky Fifarek PC, in Lansing, Babbitt has 15 years of experience preparing wills and trusts for traditional and blended families, family cottages, and agricultural clients. She handles contested matters and litigation in will and trust contests, and issues of incapacity such as guardianship and conservators. She is also a court- approved mediator with a special focus on contested probate matters.

She and her husband and two Boston Terriers live in Grand Ledge.

By Jo Mathis
Legal News

What is your most treasured material possession? Anything my kids or granddaughter have made for me.

What advice do you have for someone considering law school? Make sure you have an interest in the law and not just the idea of being a lawyer. You really have to want to live and learn legal issues.

Favorite local hangouts: Cugino’s and The Log Jam in Grand Ledge.

Favorite websites: Amazon.com.

Favorite app: Weight Watchers Mobile.

Favorite CD: I would have to say that REO Speedwagon’s  “Roll with the Changes” and AC/DC’s “Back in Black” are probably two of the top five for me.

What is your happiest childhood memory? Spending summers at the cabin at Lake Louise.

What would surprise people about your job? That lawyers don’t spend all their time “arguing.”

What do you wish someone would invent? A “macrowave” that cools food down as fast as the microwave heats food up.

What has been your favorite year so far? No year in particular, each year has its own challenges and rewards. I just try to make each year a little better than the last.

What is your most typical mood? I’m usually pretty content.

Why did you become a lawyer? When I was home with my kids I was looking at grad schools to supplement my job skills and law school drew my interest the most.

If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be?  Nobody. Other people’s lives are rarely as good as your own. You just don’t see the troubles they have.

What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been? Standing on the top of Rendezvous Mountain in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, looking out across the range before skiing down.

What did you do last weekend? Housework, reading, church, and relaxing with my family.

If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Teleportation. I hate to fly.
What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Relax and enjoy the carefree years. Don’t get caught up in the high school drama.

What is your proudest moment as a lawyer? When I represented a farmer in Eaton County who had unexpectedly lost his son, to whom he was transitioning the family farm. He was in a dispute with the estranged wife of the son. They were arguing over whether the farm belonged to the wife after the son’s death or whether the father and son were partners and the father owned the farm. Not only did we prevail on the partnership theory in the probate court, the case was upheld by the Court of Appeals.

Favorite joke: I truly never remember jokes.

What do you do to relax? Sit by the fire and read.

How would you describe your home? Quiet, restful and functional.

Any regrets? Of course — I’ve had to make a lot of mistakes to become so wise!

What word do you overuse? One that I shouldn’t use (or repeat) at all.

What is one thing you would like to learn to do? Beekeeping. I read two books about it and found out that it’s a lot harder than I thought.

What is something most people don't know about you? That I am an avid (rabid?) NFL fan.

If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? Oprah Winfrey, John Gruden and Aaron Rodgers.

What is the best advice you ever received? When I was going through a divorce a friend told me that “your faith will get you through, it’s just going to suck getting there” and he was absolutely right.

What do you drive? A 2013 Buick LaCrosse and a 2007 F-150 pickup.

What would you drive if money were no object? Several cars — so many cars, so little time.

Favorite place to spend money:  Bookstores.

What is your motto? “If you’re tired of the same old story, turn some pages.”

What would you like carved onto your tombstone? “The first, the last, the only.”

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