Monday Profile: Kate Branigan

Attorney Katie Branigan is a lifelong Jackson resident and graduate of Jackson High School. After earning a degree in psychology/special education at Grand Valley State University, she was a special eduation teacher at Northwest High School in Jackson for two years until she went on to Cooley Law School. Branigan started her legal career as Judge John McBain's law clerk and now works in Probate Court with Judge Diane Rappleye. As the oldest of four girls, she has a large extended family--mostly in the Jackson area--and is the proud aunt of her niece, Aubrie. She recently bought a house in Jackson and in her free time, enjoys home improvement projects. By Jo Mathis Legal News What would surprise people about your job? Probate law isn't as boring as most people think! I enjoy being able to help people through the work that we do and at the same time continue to learn new things everyday. What's your greatest achievement? I consider my greatest achievement to be passing both the Michigan and Illinois Bar Exams. What one habit do you wish you could break? I love Diet Pepsi and I drink way too much of it! I wish I could cut back, but it's the equivalent to a coffee fix that most people need in the morning. Introvert or extrovert? Introvert--I prefer to keep most of my thoughts to myself. I am more of an extrovert around my family. What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Keep at it....you have a long way to go before you are done with school. But you will get where you want to be and achieve everything you set your mind on. What is something most people don't know about you? I was a special education teacher prior to going to law school. What's one thing you can do now that you couldn't do 20 years ago? There are a lot of things but I've definitely become a more confident adult than I was a child. Favorite fictional character: Kermit the frog. What is your motto? I have different mottos for different situations and stages in my life. But generally speaking, I try not to take anything or time with those that I love for granted. Favorite place to spend money: Target and Kohl's are where I spend a lot of time shopping. When and where were you happiest? I had a lot of fun going to college. I met a lot of great friends and learned a lot about being my own person. I also had some fun times in law school (believe it or not). It was a lot of hard work, but I also met some lifelong friends while I was there. Where would you like to be when you're 90? On an island on a beach somewhere...far away from phones and problems!!! Published: Mon, Sep 3, 2012