Monday Profile: Raymond Harris

 Raymond Harris was born and raised in Sioux Falls, S.D. He attended South Dakota State University, and earned his undergrad degree in general studies with a minor in criminal justice, and met and married his wife Melanie while at university.


Harris moved to Michigan to attend Thomas M. Cooley Law School, from which he graduated cum laude in 2007. 

Harris is an attorney with Bernick, Radner, Ouellette & Little, P.C. in Lansing, where he focuses his practice in elder law, disability and Medicaid planning, estate planning, and probate and estate administration. 

He serves on the board of directors of Elder Law of Michigan; board of trustees of the Lansing Educational Advancement Foundation; board of directors of the Fenner Nature Conservancy where he serves as treasurer; board of directors and treasurer of the R.J. Scheffel Memorial Toys Project; is a member of the Rotary Club of South Lansing-Holt and  Kiwanis Club of South Lansing; and previously served as treasurer of the Lansing Retired & Senior Volunteer Program.

An accredited attorney with the Department of Veterans Affairs, he earned a Probate and Estate Planning Certificate through the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and State Bar of Michigan
Licensed in both Michigan and Florida, Harris was the recipient of Michigan Lawyers Weekly "Up and Coming Lawyers" Award, December 2014.

By Jo Mathis
Legal News
 
Residence:  Holt.
 
What advice do you have for someone considering law school? Make sure you have good study habits and a support system.
 
Favorite local hangouts: City Limits in Mason, Buddies in Holt, and Charlie’s in Holt.
 
Favorite website:  Amazon.
 
Favorite place to spend money: Amazon.com.
 
Favorite app: My calendar and email app to keep me organized.
 
Favorite CD: Pretty much any Beatles or Pink Floyd album,  and Weezer’s Blue Album.
 
What would surprise people about your job? There is much more drama and conflict in estate planning and elderlaw than most people realize.
 
What do you wish someone would invent?  Teleportation.
 
What has been your favorite year so far? 2004. I got married, traveled, and then moved to a new state to start my professional career.
 
What is your most typical mood?  Even-keeled.
 
Why did you become a lawyer? It is a profession that best suits my strengths and talents.
 
If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be? My dogs.

What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been?  Chichen Itza, Mexico
 
If you could have one super power, what would it be? The power to stop time so that I could get more things done in a day.

What do you do  to relax? Campfires in my backyard.
 
What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Keep your head down and study hard.
 
What is your proudest moment as a lawyer?  Passing the Florida bar exam and receiving the Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Up and Coming Lawyer” award.
 
How would you describe your home? Chaotic. My wife and I own three dogs of various sizes.
 
What is something most people don't know about you?  I am an Eagle Scout.

If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? Both of my grandfathers, who passed before I could get to know them.
 
What do you drive?  A Toyota Camry.

What would you drive if money were no object? A private airplane.

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