Thursday Profile: Michelyn (Micki) Pasteur

Michelyn E. (Micki) Pasteur practices law at Bernick, Radner, and Ouellette, P.C.  in the areas of Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, Medicaid and Elder Law.

Pasteur has been named as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” and “2015 Leading Lawyer”, based upon a survey of her peers.  She was also named 2013 Elder Law Attorney of the Year for the Lansing area.  Pasteur is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, holds an AV peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell, and is recognized as a “Super Lawyer”, by that rating service.   She served as co-chairperson of the Probate and Estate Planning Section for the Ingham County Bar Association for 6 years.

Pasteur was also named one of 30 “Women in the Law” for 2014 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.  An editorial panel selected the honorees based on their commitment to excellence in the practice of law, accomplishments as a leader in the profession, service as a mentor to other women and involvement in the community.

She earned a J.D., magna cum laude, from the Thomas Cooley Law School, and a B.A. and MLIR degree from Michigan State University.

Pasteur resides in Haslett with her husband Ernie.  They have three children and three grandchildren. 

By Jo Mathis
Legal News

What is your most treasured material possession?
My wedding ring.  On Jan. 28,  my husband Ernie and I celebrate our 48th wedding anniversary.

What advice do you have for someone considering law school? 
It costs a lot of money to get a law degree so don’t go to law school unless you are prepared to attend every class, read every lesson and enjoy learning about the law.

Favorite local hangouts:  Michigan State University basketball and football games.

Favorite websites:  Yahoo.com.

Favorite CD:  “The Best of Motown.”

What is your happiest childhood memory?  I have fond memories of living next to Sylvan Lake in Pontiac, being in or around the water, swimming, rafting, and fishing.

What would surprise people about your job?  Practicing in the areas of estate planning and elder law is far from boring.  I meet lots of interesting people in difficult situations and am happy that I am able to help them get through some trying times.

 What do you wish someone would invent?  Someone needs to invent a different machine for mammograms.  The orange squeezer the medical profession currently uses is barbaric.

What is your most typical mood?  Happy.

Why did you become a lawyer?  The law is my second career.  I spent my first 18 working years in economic development and human resource management   When we moved to Lansing in 1986, Thomas Cooley Law School gave me the opportunity to earn my law degree while working full time; finally fulfilling my lifelong dream to practice law.

What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been?
  Egypt in calmer times is amazing.  The great monuments, including the pyramids and sphinx built by individuals so many years ago with superior engineering and design skills are awesome.  The medical prescriptions that are carved on the temple walls are incredible. The tombs in the Valley of the Kings and Queens, including all the relics found buried there, are amazing. Floating down the Nile on a small riverboat from Luxor to Aswan is indescribable.

What would you say to your 16-year-old self?  Don’t take yourself so seriously.

What is your proudest moment as a lawyer?  Being able to present the motion to the court requesting that my daughter, Nicole Dandridge, be sworn in as a member of the Michigan Bar.

What do you to relax?  Travel.

Any regrets?  Not yet.

What is one thing you would like to learn to do?  Skydive.

What is something most people don't know about you?
  I was on the Pontiac Central High School synchronized swim team.

If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Richard K. Chappell (my dad).
 
What is the best advice you ever received?
  Go for it!

What do you drive?  Although I drove a red 5.0 red Ford Mustang Convertible for several years during my mid-life crises, I now drive a Chevy Equinox.

What would you drive if money were no object?  Porsche Boxster GTS.

Favorite place to spend money: Travelling.

What is your motto?  Be true to yourself.

What would you like carved onto your headstone?  “She was a good wife, mother and attorney.”

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