by Sandra Wisnewski, J.D., Director of the Legal Services

This month, Attorney Katie Burns has been selected as Elder Law of Michigan’s (ELM) employee of the month! In 2014, Katie became a full-time employee in the Housing Rights Center of Michigan, a program of Elder Law of Michigan. Previously she participated in the Americorps program, helping to establish HRCMI.

HRCMI is one of the newest programs of ELM. Since Katie joined the ELM team, she became a MSHDA-certified housing counselor and a HUD-certified reverse mortgage counselor. Katie is ELM’s reverse mortgage expert and has counseled over 200 clients. Katie counsels seniors all over the country on the pros and cons of obtaining a reverse mortgage, and provides seniors with unbiased information so they can make an informed decision on whether to get a reverse mortgage.

Katie also provides counseling to seniors in danger of losing their homes to reverse mortgage foreclosure. Without Katie’s assistance, many of these seniors would have had to find alternative housing. Reverse mortgage foreclosure has become a huge problem for Michigan seniors. In 2012, ten percent of all Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) loans were in default and facing foreclosure, and that number has continued to grow.

Even though Katie has only been with ELM for a short period of time, she has made a tremendous impact on the seniors she counsels. Katie is compassionate and understanding with each client. Katie’s day-to-day dedication to ELM is outstanding. Thank you Katie for your enthusiasm, patience, knowledge, hard work, dedication, and professionalism; it is greatly appreciated by the ELM staff and the clients whom you assist!

Sandra A. Wisnewski is the Director of Legal Services, and has been a staff member of Elder Law since 2010. Sandra earned her Bachelor of Arts from Siena Heights University in applied science in electronic engineering technology, and graduated with her Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan.

Before coming to Elder Law, Sandra devoted her time as a volunteer at the Legal Services of South Central Michigan. As a volunteer, she answered hotline questions and advised clients on various legal issues. In 2009, Sandra started her own general practice, Wisnewski Law Firm, P.L.L.C. in Stockbridge, Michigan where she focused on family law, wills and trusts, and criminal law.