MEMBER VOIR DIRE - JENNIFER R. GRAY (GRAND TRAVERSE/LEELANAU/ANTRIM)

BY AGNES JURY (MASON)

JENNIFER R. GRAY (GRAND TRAVERSE/LEELANAU/ANTRIM)

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.”

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If her career as an attorney hadn’t worked out, Ms. Gray would have pursued psychology—a fitting choice, given that if she could have one superpower, it would be the ability to read minds.

Ms. Gray’s happiest childhood memory is sailing to Door County, Wisconsin, with her father. She deeply values her family, with her most treasured material possessions being the pieces of jewelry her father gave her. If she could have dinner with three people, living or deceased, she would choose her grandfather, her great-grandmother, and her grandfather’s biological father from Ireland, whom her grandfather never met.

In retirement, Mrs. Gray hopes to learn to paint, travel the world (hopefully in a flying car!), and revisit Iceland, which she considers the most awe-inspiring place and her best vacation to-date. For now, in her spare time, she enjoys prospecting with her husband, pampering herself at the salon, watching true crime shows, laughing at her cat, and enjoying fail videos with her son. However, you won’t find her in Miami Beach (“too much plastic in the people”) or out ice fishing.
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Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Ms. Gray. We look forward to getting to know her better!