For the spring newsletter, we are pleased to introduce RAM’s newest member and the new Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Antrim County Referee: Jennifer R. Gray.
Jennifer was born and raised in Traverse City. She attended Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad Law Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she graduated in 2004. Mrs. Gray earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Psychology from the University of Tampa in 1999.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Gray has worked extensively with juveniles and families. She began her professional journey as a juvenile probation officer with the 19th Circuit Court (Manistee/Benzie Counties). What many people might not know is that she also worked for a local Girl Scout Council, teaching rock climbing and high ropes courses, before pursuing law school.

Ms. Gray is married and has two stepchildren, as well as a cat named Hero. If given the chance to trade places with anyone for a day, she would choose Hero because she admires the cat's seemingly stress-free life.

Ms. Gray’s proudest moments as a lawyer include achieving the discharge of her student loans after 10 years of public service and being appointed as a Referee. Her dedication to public service has also brought her heartfelt recognition in the form of thank-you letters she received as a Legal Services attorney, which she considers the most meaningful reminders of why she chose this career path.

Her advice to anyone considering law school is simple: “Do it! It is a great experience that will teach you invaluable lessons you’ll use throughout life, even if you don’t end up practicing law.” To her 16-year-old self, she would say: “You’re going to be A-OK, sister. Put your patience pants on and stop driving so fast.” It’s no surprise that her personal motto is: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Ms. Gray’s success as an attorney may partially be due to the best advice she’s ever received: “Don’t let the bastards get you down. Show up, pay attention, tell the truth, and don’t get too attached to the outcome.”

For the winter newsletter, we meet one of our newest members, Livingston County FOC Referee Jason Blevins. Jason grew up in Indiana, earned his B.A. from Ball State University in 2007 with a double major in Political Science and Criminal Justice, and earned his J.D. with dual concentrations in International Law and Criminal Law in 2010 from Michigan State University. After law school, he returned to his beloved home state and passed the Indiana bar in 2010. Jason was a solo practitioner for nearly four years and is proud to say that in several published cases, the Court of Appeals block quoted his written work and adopted it as binding law.
 
After practicing in his home county along the Indiana/Michigan border, Jason decided to take the February 2012 Michigan bar. He later became the only research attorney to the Circuit and Probate benches in Muskegon County. In 2016, Jason moved to Oakland County and served as a staff attorney to a circuit court judge assigned to the family division.

For the summer newsletter, we meet one of our newest referees, Agnes Jury, who has an international background, being a citizen of Poland and Canada. She is the domestic relations referee in Ludington, located in Mason County.

Agnes was born and raised in Poland until she was 12 years old. (That would be just a few months before the fall of communism in Poland for you history buffs.) Her parents divorced, so her mother brought Agnes and her older brother over to live in Canada. Agnes remained in Canada until she graduated from University earning a degree in Cultural Anthropology. Upon her graduation, Agnes returned to Poland in hopes of resuming a life there.