Monday Profile--Michele D. Kelly

Michele Kelly, a senior partner at Kelly & Kelly, P.C. in Ann Arbor, practices primarily in the area of family and criminal law. A graduate of the University of Detroit School of Law, she has been featured in "Time" and "Men's Health" magazines, and The National Law Journal. Kelly enjoys spending time with her law school study partner (husband John Kelly) and their four children, Ryan 29, Jack 28, Mike 27, and Megan, 22. She volunteers on a weekly basis at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. By Jo Mathis Legal News Residence: Downtown Ann Arbor--Water Hill neighborhood. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Enjoy the moment you are in. What is your greatest fear? Not being able to be physically active. Which living person do you most admire? The Dalai Lama. What is the trait you hate most in yourself? A procrastination with organizing photos, resulting in a backlog of 700 pictures from three weddings on the memory card. What is the trait you hate most in others? Not taking responsibility for their problems. If you suddenly had an extra room in your house, what would you do with it? Yoga, meditation room. Currently reading ... "Behind the Beautiful Forevers" by Katherine Boo. How do you feel at 8 a.m. on Mondays? Great! I'm walking home from the YMCA after stretch class before leaving for work. My mother always told me ... "Learn to nest in the gale" which means being able to hold firm and to be strong no matter what situation you find yourself in. My favorite item of clothing... North Face polar fleece zip up. I always have one wherever I go. What words or phrases do you overuse? "I can't make this stuff up." If you could do one thing professionally... Encourage other attorneys to lead a balanced life between family and work Where have you been that you will never return--if you can help it? All-you-can eat buffet. I lose my appetite for days. Favorite Ann Arbor area hang-outs: Black Pearl, Aut Bar, Drake's Candy Store (back in the day.) What was your most embarrassing moment? After having four children, I don't get embarrassed. Your proudest moment(s) as a lawyer? Appearing in court with my daughter Ryan as co-counsel. What would surprise people about your job? Total strangers tell me details about their sex lives. When and where were you happiest? When my husband John and I are with all of our children, their significant others, and our grandchildren. What's your greatest achievement: None of my children ended up incarcerated. What would you say to your 16-year-old self? "Don't waste your time on stupid boys." Do you have spiritual beliefs? Yes, that we follow the golden rule and that karma is a bitch. What would be your ideal job? A three-day workweek in law--one day to volunteer and one day to play. What one thing do you wish people knew about your work? That even though I can be a strong advocate during a divorce, I really do not have any personal feelings for or against the other party. What is something most people don't know about you? I have a varsity letter in football from high school. Kicker, quarterback, or linebacker? I was the trainer ... After I made the team, the coaches and I determined that an on-field position may be detrimental to the team. I learned to play with the big boys. It was a way to pay for college, too. What do you wish more people understood? If you cannot help others everyday then at least try not to hurt anyone. What's one thing you can do now that you couldn't do 20 years ago? Shave both my legs at the same time. Favorite place to spend money: Knight's Market, Farmers Market and Big City Bakery. What is your motto? "Do not be a disturbed person." Where would you like to be when you're 90? Above ground. Published: Thu, May 16, 2013