New Jersey native Kyle Cobe attended high school and college in upstate New York. After acquiring a degree in fine arts, she moved to her mother’s native state of South Carolina.
Cobe lived in Beaufort, S.C. for 13 years, working for a law firm that paid for her to go back to school and become a paralegal.
Her job included real property title work, as well as researching jurors’ backgrounds.
She met her husband, a local teacher, in South Carolina. He was a native Michigander who wanted to return. So, in 1987 after a year of marriage, they did.
Two days after arriving in Michigan, Cobe found a job with a title company. From then until seven years ago, she worked for several of the major title companies in the Lansing area as a title examiner for residential and commercial properties.
Paula Johnson, the Register of Deeds of Ingham County at the time, one day asked Cobe to be her deputy. Johnson had just 18 months left in her last term in office. Accepting the job was a risk because the position is an appointed one. Cobe took the risk and was happy when the newly elected Register Curtis Hertel Jr. kept her on. She says it has been a rewarding experience serving the citizens of Ingham County.
By Jo Mathis
Legal News
Residence: Eaton Rapids.
Currently reading … “Zealot” by Reza Aslan.
My mother always told me …
“Treat others as you would have them treat you.”
What is your most treasured material possession?
An old wooden box that was shipped from England to my great-great grandfather containing hand stitched soles for the shoes he made. He was a shoemaker with a boot shop located in Union City, New Jersey. The box has my family maiden name stamped on the side.
What advice do you have for someone considering law school?
Do it for the right reasons, because you love the law.
Favorite websites:
News and anything to do with fiber, yarn, roving that is creative
What is your happiest childhood memory?
I loved riding the merry-go-round located on the boardwalk in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Which things do you not like to do?
Organizing the clutter that accumulates in one’s home can be a constant battle.
What would surprise people about your job?
We have to adhere to the Recording Act which has specific requirements that have to be met in order for a document to be in recordable form. It comes as a surprise to many who draft their own documents and present them for recording and find that we can’t accept them because they do not meet the requirements.
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you have visited?
Zion National Park is too amazing for words. The landscape is awe inspiring.
What’s your greatest achievement?
Appearing in court as an expert witness for record titles when working for the law firm Levin, Grimsley and Trask (at the time).
I was able to help them prove color of title in many quiet title cases for many people that were being challenged by large development firms.
These were mostly poor people that did not have many assets and their land meant so much to them.
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
If I had one super power I would create world peace and tolerance among the humans of the earth.
What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Don’t be afraid of adventure and challenge in your personal life and professional life. Believe in yourself but expect bumps, triumphs and defeats. Learn from your mistakes and don’t give up.
What one thing do you wish people knew about your work?
That we are not lawyers and can’t give legal advice as to title matters.
Must-see TV: Downton Abbey.
What’s your biggest regret?
I try to look forward and not backwards.
What do you wish you had invented? The hula hoop.
What’s one thing you would like to learn to do? Knit since I know how to crochet.
If you could have dinner with three people,
living or dead, who would they be?
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and their enemy, Hamilton.
Favorite law-related movie:
“My Cousin Vinny.”
What’s the best advice you ever received? Don’t give up.
What place won’t you return if you can help it?
Albany, New York
What do you drive?
Ford Feista
What would you drive if money were no object?
Something with tall wheels so I could grind through snow.
Favorite place to spend money:
I really don’t have a favorite place to spend right now. We are putting our son through Lawrence Technologies University for his architectural degree so not much money to spare right now.
What is your motto?
Give people what they pay for at work, and never let life defeat you even when you’re down.
Where would you like to be when you're 90?
Someplace warm on big water.
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