Candidate for Oakland County Probate Judge
The road to running....
❖ Grew up on a north Oakland County farm, which fostered a strong sense of community service.
❖ Participant in the Michigan 4-H Youth Development Program, where I learned the value of community engagement.
❖ Attended Holy Family Regional School in Rochester Hills, MI.
❖ Graduated from Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills, MI.
❖ Earned my degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
❖ Completed my legal education at Cooley Law School in Auburn Hills, MI, in 2012.
❖ Admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 2014, I have since gained extensive probate law experience.
❖ Currently practicing at Kemp Klein Law Firm in Troy, MI, where I focus on issues relevant to the Michigan Guardianship Association.
❖ Also associated with Yun, Dery & Morgan, P.C., located in the Village of Clarkston, MI, as I prepare for the upcoming probate judge election.
grounded in community, guided by law
✔ Experienced Advocate – With over a decade of probate law experience, Elisabeth Dery has dedicated her career to representing vulnerable adults, families, and those requiring court-appointed protection.
✔ Proven Fiduciary Leader – She has personally served in over 400 cases as a guardian, conservator, trustee, or personal representative, earning the trust of clients to protect their best interests.
✔ Hands-On with Real People – Elisabeth manages a 15-person team that assists clients in accessing government benefits, securing housing, and receiving vital daily care support.
✔ Expert in Special Needs & Elder Law – As a frequent educator and speaker, she addresses topics such as Medicaid planning, Special Needs Trusts, and legal protections for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
✔ Recognized Leader – Elisabeth serves as the Chair of the Oakland County Bar’s Probate, Estate, and Trust Committee and has been elected to the Board of the Michigan Guardianship Association, showcasing her commitment to the field.
✔ Rooted in Community Service – She has volunteered legal support for low-income residents through Common Ground for over 4 years, reinforcing her dedication to community service.
✔ Educator to Attorneys – Elisabeth plays an important role in training legal professionals statewide through the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), the Oakland County Bar Association, and the Michigan Guardianship Association.
✔ Grounded and Relatable – A dog rescuer, outdoor adventurer, former emergency veterinary technician, and former coffee shop manager, she brings a relatable touch to her practice.
✔ Inclusive Values – Elisabeth co-authored legal articles supporting second-parent adoption and LGBTQ+ families post-DOMA, demonstrating her commitment to inclusivity.
✔ Balanced Judgment – With both heart and extensive probate law experience, she brings the kind of balanced judgment to the bench that every family deserves, especially in the context of the upcoming probate judge election.