Area paralegal works in estate planning field
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
As the head paralegal for Richard C. Mills, Of Counsel to Marcoux, Allen, Bower, Nichols & Kendall P.C. in Jackson, Christine Kloack’s work entails estate planning, wills, trusts, probate estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and probate appeals.
“Some days I’m consoling a grieving client, some days I’m accompanying Mr. Mills to court, which is always a learning experience, and other days I’m helping a client understand all the paperwork involved with their particular circumstance. No two days are the same,” says Kloack, who attended the Probate and Estate Planning Institute in Traverse City with Mills in 2013 and 2014.
“I enjoy helping people and feel good when I know something we’ve done at the office helps someone feel better about a life circumstance.”
Kloack, who also holds an associate’s degree in business from Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, entered the paralegal field after several years as a senior team trainer for a large retail chain.
“I was ready for new challenges and began to research possibilities that would be both interesting and that would let me make a contribution back to my community,” she says.
“The more I read about being a paralegal, the more I was intrigued. It seemed to me a paralegal was to an attorney what a physician’s assistant is to a doctor.”
A summa cum laude graduate of the Baker College Paralegal Program, Kloack now serves on the program’s Advisory Board.
“I truly enjoy being able to give input on ideas for the program and seeing some of these ideas being implemented,” she says.
She recently participated as a “juror” in a mock trial in a class taught by Professor Tracy Nothnagel, and also has presented to first year students.
“I enjoy being able to share real life experiences, and to answer any questions regarding what it’s like to be a paralegal,” she says.
“I think the best part of the program is that all the classes are taught by people that have or do work in the legal field. You can’t compare to getting real-life experienced legal professionals teaching the way things will really be once you are done with the program.”
Kloack is a member of Business and Professional Women of Jackson (BPW). “Members are not only good resources to have for networking, but also becoming good friends,” she says.
“I enjoy the monthly speakers and having the opportunity to get to know everyone in the group.”
The Jackson area resident currently serves as vice president of NALS of Jackson County, an organization for legal professionals, and she chaired the NALS committee that planned this year’s Jackson Law Day.
“Belonging to NALS has been an enriching and rewarding experience,” she says. “Each one of our monthly speakers has something new for us to learn.
“NALS is also a wonderful networking organization, and I’ve benefited from the relationships I’ve developed within this group. I enjoy serving on the board because I know we’re helping to build a stronger bond among legal professionals in the legal community.”
Educational activities are also a huge benefit, she notes.
She recommends NALS to anyone that would like to continue their legal education and the opportunity to network with other legal professionals.The Jackson Chapter’s website is nalsofjacksoncounty.com.
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