Ms. Schafer strives to always provide exceptional legal representation to her clients in real estate, estate planning, business matters, civil litigation, and appeals. In her 25 years of diverse experience in civil and criminal litigation, transaction management, alternative dispute resolution, public service, and private practice give her the insight and ability to skillfully assess each client’s real needs and develop creative solutions to even the most unique and complex problems.
Ms. Schafer graduated with high honors from Michigan State University in 1992, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and earned a Juris Doctor, with honors, at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1996. Ms. Schafer started work as an assistant prosecutor with the St. Clair County Prosecutor’s Office in 1994, gaining valuable litigation and courtroom experience while still in law school (by special court rule admission). At the same time, she began researching and writing appellate briefs to the Michigan Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, with more than 70 appellate briefs to date.
Ms. Schafer worked as a prosecutor in Emmet County beginning in 1996, handling criminal cases in the probate, district, and circuit courts. She then served as Attorney Magistrate of the 90th District Court for both Emmet & Charlevoix Counties, handling all search and arrest warrants for 9 police agencies, managing attorney pretrial conferences, and conducting civil infraction and small claims hearings. In 2004, Ms. Schafer entered the civil law practice arena, focusing on real estate, estate planning, civil litigation, and appeals, eventually joining Molosky & Co. in early 2011. Ms. Schafer joined Harris Law, PC, in December 2021, focusing on real estate law, estate planning, business law, and civil litigation.
In addition to practicing law, Ms. Schafer taught Research & Writing and Civil Litigation Procedure to paralegal students at North Central Michigan College for over 10 years. She also participated as an instructor with the National District Attorneys Association, teaching Essential Trial Advocacy. She is a trained mediator and also serves as a court-approved case evaluator. She previously served in the State Bar of Michigan’s Representative Assembly, serving on the Committee for Libraries, Legal Research & Legal Publications, and the Drafting Committee.
Ms. Schafer prides herself in excelling at building strong client relationships, advising and counseling clients in real property law, estate planning, and business matters, as well as civil litigation and appeals. Clients of Ms. Schafer can and should expect experience-based legal analysis and advice, forthright communications, dedicated attention to and strong advocacy for each client’s interests, and skilled representation both in and out of the courtroom.
