Mara Elena Kent

Mara Elena Kent, a dedicated attorney and lifelong Ann Arbor resident, has been providing expert legal services since 1996. Her practice focuses on estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law, long-term care planning, special needs planning, estate planning for surrogacy, same-sex adoptions, step-parent adoptions, and prenuptial agreements.

Mara's approach to law is deeply personal, as she enjoys forming meaningful connections with her clients. She guides them through planning for significant life events, helping to foresee and address potential issues to reduce court involvement, family disputes, and unnecessary costs and stress. Her goal is to assist clients in preparing for their future and ensuring the well-being of their loved ones, as well as organizing the distribution of their estates.

Mara graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in 1993 and earned her law degree summa cum laude from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1996, finishing second in her class. During law school, she gained valuable experience working in the Office of General Counsel for Ford Motor Company and served as a law clerk for former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Michael F. Cavanagh from 1996 to 1998.

From 2000 to 2014, Mara was a tenured professor at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where she taught contract law, sales, negotiable instruments, and legal research & writing. She continues to contribute to the academic community as a Senior Professor Emerita.

Beyond her legal practice, Mara is deeply involved in community service. She offers pro bono legal assistance and serves on the boards of various community organizations. Her volunteer work includes providing estate planning and probate services for Habitat for Humanity clients, as well as offering pro bono probate counseling through the Washtenaw County Probate Court and the Homes for Generations partnership with the Washtenaw County Bar Association.