Monday Profile: Stephanie Blandford

 Stephanie Blandford earned a degree in psychology from Michigan State University in 2004, and then went on to complete her law degree in two years at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Since 2008, she has worked for the 54-A District court in several positions.  She clerked for two judges, joined the civil department and is now the court’s civil manager.
Blandford has been married to her husband Patrick since 2008. They met in high school and have been together for 15 years. They reside in Lansing with their 18-month-old son, Silas.
By Jo Mathis
Legal News
 
What is your most treasured material possession? Our five-year-old English Bulldog, Bubba. He is my best friend.
 
What advice do you have for someone considering law school? I would tell them to only go to law school for the right reasons. Don’t go to law school if you think you are going to make a ton of money as a lawyer. Law school is a lot of hard work and debt.
 
Favorite local hangouts: Since it is cold and flu season, my son’s doctor’s office.
 
Favorite websites: Google, weather.com.
 
Favorite app: Pinterest.
 
Favorite CD: Don’t judge…but anything by Taylor Swift.
 
What is your happiest childhood memory? We would pack up the car and spend the day at Warren Dunes State Park. I would swim in the freezing Lake Michigan water and try to climb the dunes.
 
What would surprise people about your job? That I am an attorney. I think attorneys think that the only way to practice law is in the courtroom representing clients. But there are a lot of non-traditional jobs that are also held by attorneys. I know I have caught a few new attorneys off guard when they want to argue the court rule with me regarding a filing and I actually know more about the court rule than they do.
 
What do you wish someone would invent? A car like the one the Jetsons drove.
 
What has been your favorite year so far? I would say 2014 was a great year, but I look forward to what each new year brings.
 
Why did you become a lawyer? I loved learning and being in school. I figured lawyers worked hard and I was up for the challenge.
 
If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be?  My son. He seems to have the life. He gets to sleep as long as he wants and eat whatever he wants. His biggest worry is finding his favorite ball among all his toys.
 
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been? Seeing our son in the nursery after he was born.
 
What did you do last weekend? I spent time with my family and relaxed.
 
If you could have one super power, what would it be? Being able to speak any language.
 
What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Stop worrying! Everything always works out.
 
 What do you do to relax? I love to organize and use my label maker. Also scrapbooking, watching TV and reading
 
How would you describe your home? Full of love and stuff. Everything has a meaning or a purpose.
 
What is one thing you would like to learn to do? Refresh my knowledge of sign language. I took a class in college and loved learning it.
 
What is something most people don't know about you? That I am a Scorpio and I believe most people are true to their sign. For all you skeptics out there, you are just following your Virgo tendencies.
 
If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? I would want to have dinner with Abraham Lincoln, Lucille Ball, and my husband (I need a witness).
 
What is the best advice you ever received? Days are long and years are short, so enjoy every minute of it.
 
What do you drive? A 2004 Malibu Maxx.
 
What would you drive if money were no object? I would still drive my Malibu Maxx. It may have been totaled at one point and had some recalls, but it has been there for me through thick and thin. Plus I haven’t found anything yet that I couldn’t fit in its hatchback.
 
Favorite place to spend money: Kohl’s and Toy R’Us. I love finding good deals and using coupons.
 
What is your motto? “Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.”

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