Michelle grew up in Hastings, and graduated from Hastings St. Cecilia High School.  She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor’s degree in both Political Science and English as well as a minor in psychology in 1984.  Michelle then received her law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1987.  She was admitted to the U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska in 1987.  After graduation, she practiced for four years in a private law firm in McCook, Nebraska.  In 1991, she joined the Hall County Attorney’s Office, where she worked until joining the firm in October, 2008.  Michelle’s areas of practice include civil litigation, family law, criminal defense, juvenile law, guardianships/conservatorships, adoptions and landlord/tenant law.  She is a member of the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association and the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys.  Michelle is also a member of the Adams County Bar Association.  She serves the Nebraska State Bar Association’s House of Delegates, and is Vice-Chair of the District Five Committee on Inquiry.  She also serves on the Supreme Court Commission on Children’s Delinquency Guidelines Committee, and the Governor’s Commission for the Protection of Children.  She is also a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and Altar Society, and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.