Shelley Kester is an award-winning attorney, a community leader, a dynamic communicator and a caring individual. Her practice includes nearly all aspects of family law, including divorce law and child custody. She was among the first in Northern Michigan to complete the Family Law Certificate Program through the Institute of Continuing Education and the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Ms. Kester has contributed to the legal profession in Michigan since 1992, serving as past president of the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association and member of the Michigan State Supreme Court Bar. She is also a former member of the California State Bar. An active member of the State Bar of Michigan, Ms. Kester has served on its Domestic Violence committee, Practice Management Committee as well as subcommittees of the Family Law Section. Most recently, she was appointed to serve on the Family Law Council for the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. A trained facilitative mediator and collaborative divorce attorney, she is a current member of the Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan, the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and Up North Collaborative Divorce Professionals.
Highly involved in serving her community, Ms. Kester was twice appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to the Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Board and is the founding and past chair of the Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center. She is also a founding officer and past Board Member of the Great Lakes Children’s Museum. Ms. Kester the proud daughter of Patrick Wilson, who serves of counsel to Wilson Kester.
