Catherine Brainerd

About Catherine

How do you help businesses and individuals?

What sets you apart from other lawyers in your practice field?

My career has taken twists and turns along the way, all of which have contributed to making me a stronger advisor and advocate for my clients. After graduation, I spent several years building a transactional business and real estate practice with a national law firm. I gained significant experience drafting a variety of documents, learning the ins and outs of negotiation and formation. Thereafter, I spent several years as the right-hand to the local Chief Judge. My time behind the bench gave me a unique perspective into how judges operate and how best to present a case to the Court, as well as a matchless opportunity to develop strong personal relationships with the local bench and bar. This transactional and Court work experience provided a distinctive skill set, enabling me to efficiently and effectively serve my clients and target the best possible solutions.

How do any of your community interests or activities facilitate how you represent your client?

As the mother of a transracial family, issues of diversity and inclusion are of the utmost importance to me, have informed and guided my personal and professional life for well over a decade. As chair of Rhoades McKee’s Diversity Committee, I have worked to diversify the firm itself in a multitude of ways, as well as promote diversity and inclusion in the West Michigan legal community. I have been involved with the Junior Achievement organization for many years, both as a volunteer and as part of a fundraising committee, in part because of the organization’s commitment to underserved youth. These experiences continue to open my eyes to how much I have yet to learn about the culture, history, and experiences of others, making me a more empathetic person. I find empathy invaluable in client relations. I cannot be an effective advocate for my clients if I do not sit back and truly listen to them, in order to understand not only their desired outcome, but also underlying reasons for the dispute, and to help identify opportunities to connect divergent viewpoints towards resolution.