ATTORNEY PROFILE
Lori B. Schmeltzer
Drawing upon life and work experiences, Lori B. Schmeltzer serves clients by providing practical legal solutions to life’s complex problems. She works with each client to understand needs and goals and to determine the best plan of action to help them succeed.
Lori does not take a cookie-cutter approach to any case, but listens to her clients’ needs to tailor a legal approach to fit budget, family needs and legal goals. She will work hard to tip the scales of justice in your favor.
As a long time resident of Michigan, Lori has made Traverse City and Northern Michigan her forever-home. She grew up in Farmington Hills, Michigan and graduated from Walsh College of Accountancy and Business in Troy, MI in 2005 with a BBA, majoring in Business Management. While at Walsh College, she earned the annual Golf Outing Scholarship for excellent academic performance.
In 2011, Lori graduated from the University of Detroit School of Law. During law school, she interned with Wayne County Family Court Judge Cholack and participated in the Criminal Law clinic where she appeared in local courts providing pro bono defense representation to clients with misdemeanor charges. Following graduation, she interned at the Michigan Supreme Court under former Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly.
Lori focused her internships on judges that had a strong background in family law, where she learned the practical procedures and issues that arise in divorce, child custody and parenting time cases, as well as learned how trial courts and appellate courts balance and weigh the facts to render decisions on important legal issues. This experience allows her insight in how to properly present your case before a court, whether at the trial or appellate level, to give you the best chance of succeeding in reaching your legal goals.
In 2012, Lori relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana, sojourning into private practice with the law firm of Ciyou & Dixon. While practicing in Indiana, she focused primarily on Family Law and Appellate practice, winning reversals in Divorce cases, Adoption Matters, and Child Custody Modification cases.
In 2014, she argued before the Indiana Supreme Court, prevailing on an important adoption/third party child custody issue in the State of Indiana, setting precedence for all future adoption cases in Indiana. Additionally, she has briefed well over 30 cases to the Indiana Court of Appeals and Indiana Supreme Court. Her appellate and family law trial experience allows her to understand your case top to bottom and work with you to ensure that you and your family’s needs are met now and into the future.
Lori continues her practice here in Northern Michigan in all matters involving the family, including adult and minor child guardianships, divorce, child custody, child support, estate planning, probate administration, and small business matters.
In her spare time, Lori likes to remodel and renovate her home and office space, using her one semester of interior design school experience. Lori has a variety of interests outside of her law practice, like skiing, kayaking, hiking, sewing, and baking… you might find a fresh batch of cookies or cupcakes at the office from time to time.
Cases of Note
OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Destinee Eaton
Destinee joined our firm in early 2023 as our Office Administrative Assistant, bringing with her 5 years of office experience, and a diverse background that includes automotive technology, woodworking/finish cabinetry, and is an avid Roller Derby player.
At Schmeltzer Law Destinee is responsible for client relations, new client onboarding, and other inner office procedures.
Destinee is inspired daily by her partner, and two children, and during family time she enjoys the outdoors, traveling, spending time with her family and playing roller derby with the local Traverse City team. Destinee recently travelled to Iceland with her team and put up a tough fight in a very close game with tam Iceland.
Destinee uses her positive energy to encourage others and create a positive client experience, and keeps the office running smoothly with her attention to detail.
Charles P. Schmeltzer
Charles started his law firm career with Schmeltzer Law PLLC, bringing a year of experience to the position and firm. Charles has excelled in his short time at the firm, dutifully greeting guests, delivery drivers and clients alike. He is a dedicated employee and asset to the firm. In his spare time Charles likes to go for walks, roll in the snow, go for car rides, nap, and works part time on the storm clean up crew by collecting and piling up sticks that have fallen in the way. We are happy to have Charles on the team and he looks forward to your visit to the office.
ATTORNEY PROFILE
Lori B. Schmeltzer
Drawing upon life and work experiences, Lori B. Schmeltzer serves clients by providing practical legal solutions to life’s complex problems. She works with each client to understand needs and goals and to determine the best plan of action to help them succeed.
Lori does not take a cookie-cutter approach to any case, but listens to her clients’ needs to tailor a legal approach to fit budget, family needs and legal goals. She will work hard to tip the scales of justice in your favor.
As a long time resident of Michigan, Lori has made Traverse City and Northern Michigan her forever-home. She grew up in Farmington Hills, Michigan and graduated from Walsh College of Accountancy and Business in Troy, MI in 2005 with a BBA, majoring in Business Management. While at Walsh College, she earned the annual Golf Outing Scholarship for excellent academic performance.
In 2011, Lori graduated from the University of Detroit School of Law. During law school, she interned with Wayne County Family Court Judge Cholack and participated in the Criminal Law clinic where she appeared in local courts providing pro bono defense representation to clients with misdemeanor charges. Following graduation, she interned at the Michigan Supreme Court under former Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly.
Lori focused her internships on judges that had a strong background in family law, where she learned the practical procedures and issues that arise in divorce, child custody and parenting time cases, as well as learned how trial courts and appellate courts balance and weigh the facts to render decisions on important legal issues. This experience allows her insight in how to properly present your case before a court, whether at the trial or appellate level, to give you the best chance of succeeding in reaching your legal goals.
In 2012, Lori relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana, sojourning into private practice with the law firm of Ciyou & Dixon. While practicing in Indiana, she focused primarily on Family Law and Appellate practice, winning reversals in Divorce cases, Adoption Matters, and Child Custody Modification cases.
In 2014, she argued before the Indiana Supreme Court, prevailing on an important adoption/third party child custody issue in the State of Indiana, setting precedence for all future adoption cases in Indiana. Additionally, she has briefed well over 30 cases to the Indiana Court of Appeals and Indiana Supreme Court. Her appellate and family law trial experience allows her to understand your case top to bottom and work with you to ensure that you and your family’s needs are met now and into the future.
Lori continues her practice here in Northern Michigan in all matters involving the family, including adult and minor child guardianships, divorce, child custody, child support, estate planning, probate administration, and small business matters.
In her spare time, Lori likes to remodel and renovate her home and office space, using her one semester of interior design school experience. Lori had a variety of interests outside of her law practice, like skiing, kayaking, hiking, sewing, and baking… you might find a fresh batch of cookies or cupcakes at the office from time to time.
Cases of Note
OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Destinee Eaton
Destinee joined our firm in early 2023 as our Office Administrative Assistant, bringing with her 5 years of office experience, and a diverse background that includes automotive technology, woodworking/finish cabinetry, and is an avid Roller Derby player.
At Schmeltzer Law Destinee is responsible for client relations, new client onboarding, and other inner office procedures.
Destinee is inspired daily by her partner, and two children, and during family time she enjoys the outdoors, traveling, spending time with her family and playing roller derby with the local Traverse City team. Destinee recently travelled to Iceland with her team and put up a tough fight in a very close game with tam Iceland.
Destinee uses her positive energy to encourage others and create a positive client experience, and keeps the office running smoothly with her attention to detail.