Campaign Phone
8102525728
Education
Juris Doctor
Experience
Andrea LeGendre brings 25 years of courtroom experience in Genesee County. Her Probate Court experience began while she was in law school, serving as a law clerk to Genesee County Probate Judge Thomas Gadola. She went on to serve as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and now serves as Bureau Chief, with experience involving guardianships, mental health proceedings, child abuse and neglect, juvenile matters, elder abuse, family law, and serious felony cases. She has extensive trial experience, including complex jury trials, and has practiced in Probate, Family, District, and Circuit Courts. Her career has required her to evaluate evidence, work with children, families, and vulnerable adults, and handle difficult legal matters throughout the G
Community Involvement
Member of the Michigan Board of Law Examiners since 2008- Helping uphold the integrity and professionalism of Michigan's legal profession. Appointed to the Michigan Board of Law Examiners by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Leadership and advisory roles with organizations supporting children, families, and vulnerable populations, including: Voices for Children- Supporting abused and neglected children through coordinated services. American Red Cross-Supporting disaster preparedness, emergency response, and humanitarian assistance for individuals and families during times of crisis. Genesee Career Institute -Inspiring students to explore careers in the legal profession by providing real-world courtroom experiences and helping them see the opportun
Campaign Message
Experience Matters. Ready on Day One. Remember LeGendre in November.
Endorsements
Judge Jennie E. Barkey – Probate Court Judge G. David Guinn – 67th District Court Judge Dawn Weier – 7th Circuit Court Judge Mark Latchana – 7th Circuit Court Judge Khary Hanible – 7th Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Manley – 67th District Court Judge Vikki Bayeh Haley – 67th District Court find more here www.andrealegendreforjudge.com/endorsements
Probate Court asks families to make some of the hardest decisions of their lives, often while grieving, frightened, or overwhelmed. My goal is a court that meets people w/ compassion, patience, and dignity, whether they have an attorney or appear on their own. Every unnecessary delay, unclear form, or additional hearing can mean lost wages, added legal costs, and more stress. I'm committed to a docket that respects people's time and resources, uses plain language, and ensures families understand what is happening. After 25yrs as an Assistant Prosecutor,I know how important it is for people to feel heard. The measure of Probate Court is whether those it serves and protects are treated fairly and respectfully.
I support continued investment in self-help resources and plain-language forms so people without attorneys can navigate Probate Court with less cost and confusion. I support remote hearings when appropriate, reducing missed work, transportation, and childcare burdens. I also support proactive case management so guardianship, conservatorship, and estate matters do not sit without cause. I encourage use of the Legal Assistance Center for those proceeding without counsel. After years litigating Probate Court matters, I know timely follow-through matters. I will also work with community partners so families facing difficult transitions are not left to navigate them alone.
The greatest challenge facing our courts is the growing number of people appearing without an attorney, particularly in guardianship, conservatorship, and mental health matters. Legal assistance can be cost-prohibitive, while misinformation online and from AI tools can leave families believing they are prepared when they are not. This often occurs when families are at their most vulnerable. Courts must remain fair and impartial while also being understandable and accessible. My work on the Elder Abuse Alliance and Genesee Multidisciplinary Team has shown me how much vulnerable residents depend on Probate Court functioning well. Clear communication, strong educational resources, and person-to-person assistance can help litigants better understand and navigate the court,
Probate Court is where I began my legal career as a law clerk 25+years ago, and I have practiced before the last 7 Probate judges who served Genesee County. I have spent my career litigating serious matters involving families, children, elders, and vulnerable residents, including homicide, elder abuse, and child abuse and neglect. I bring a trauma-informed approach grounded in victim empowerment, respect, and compassion. Born and raise in Genesee County, I care deeply about this community. Voters can expect a courtroom that is prepared, punctual, fair, and respectful; where I listen carefully, follow the law, and explain decisions in terms people can understand. I will bring decades of courtroom experience, integrity, and public service.
Campaign Phone
248-408-9065
Education
Michigan State University College of Law, Juris Doctorate; University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Bachelor of Science in Political Science
Experience
I started my legal career during law school at a small law firm that specialized in probate law. While in law school, I worked directly with probate clients and helped them through the probate process under the supervision of the attorneys at the firm. I started my own business in 2018 and owned a law firm in Fenton for four years, where I continued representing probate clients in numerous counties through some of the most difficult times of their lives. My probate work included representing individuals navigating guardianships, conservatorships, estates, and mental health proceedings. I transitioned to public service in 2022 in the Genesee County corporation counsel office and later the appeals division of the prosecutor's office.
Community Involvement
I am passionate about probate, education, public service, and giving back to my community. I am currently the Vice President of the Flint Rotary Club and have volunteered with many other community service organizations and non-profits throughout my career. I have also hosted free probate and planning educational seminars across Genesee County in collaboration with non-profit organizations, municipalities, and local area senior centers. I look forward to continuing my career serving the residents of our county as the next Genesee County Probate Court Judge.
Campaign Message
Ashley Prew is a dedicated attorney and public servant who believes the Probate Court should be a place of fairness, dignity, and compassion. With a strong legal background and deep roots in our community, she brings both professional expertise and a steady, thoughtful approach to the complex issues families face during some of life’s most difficult moments. As the caregiver for her mother for the last seven years of her life, Ashley also understands the struggles of individuals in the Probate Court on a personal level. Ashley is committed to upholding the law with integrity, respecting the rights of seniors and families, and ensuring the court remains accessible, efficient, and focused on justice for all.
Endorsements
UAW - Flint CAP Council; Greater Flint AFL- CIO; GLS Building Trades; IBEW Local 948; Iron Workers Local 25; Boilermakers Local 169; Court of Appeals Judge Adrienne Young; Ret. Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Judith Fullerton; Former State House Min. Leader Jim Ananich; Former Genesee County Treasurer Deborah Cherry; Chair of Genesee County Board of Commissioners, Dale Weighill; Genesee County Commissioner James Avery; Genesee County Commissioner Dr. Beverly Brown; Former Commissioner and current Burton City Council member Ellen Ellenburg; Burton Mayor Duane Haskins, Burton City Council Member Kris Johns; Grand Blanc Township Trustees Joel Feick, Mike Yancho, Sr., Sarah Hugo, and Michelle Ryder; Former MEA Vice President Brett Smith
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Probate law and procedure is governed primarily (but not exclusively) by the Estates and Protected Individuals Code, the Mental Health Code, and the Michigan Court Rules. Although procedures are set forth by one set of rules, each county applies them to case management differently. Based on my experience in other counties, I believe there are ways our probate court could be more efficient. For example, there are notice requirements for hearings, but at times after service, matters are uncontested. Some counties do not require formal hearings in this situation, saving time and money for litigants. One of my long term goals is to work with SCAO to make the Michigan probate court rules easier to navigate.
I do believe there are ways our probate court could be more administratively efficient. For example, Genesee County schedules numerous hearings at one time. The result is many parties and attorneys are in the courtroom for extended periods of time waiting for their case to be called. If elected, I would consider and explore the idea of scheduling hearings in 10-15 minute intervals and scheduling fewer at one time. This was done in many counties during the pandemic and I have experienced this practice in a circuit court in another county. I found this led to less wait time and decreased cost and inconvenience for people in court.
I see the greatest challenge facing the courts today as lack of resources and access to affordable legal representation. Access to affordable legal representation is especially challenging in the Probate Court because unlike in criminal proceedings, there is not an automatic right to counsel in the probate court. Those in the probate court are often every day people trying to navigate extremely difficult and stressful times in their life. They are not only facing trauma and grief, they also are often left unrepresented to navigate the difficult court system and procedural rules. I believe a courtroom should clearly follow procedure and the law, but also shows understanding and compassion to people in the court who are unable to afford representation.
I was raised in a working-class family and learned the value of hard work, compassion, and service to my community from my parents. My mom was a public school teacher and my dad was a tool-and-die maker. Although my parents are no longer with us today, I carry their values forward and try to utilize my skills and education to do the most good I can for my community. I'm running for probate judge because after being my mother's caregiver for the last seven years of her life, I understand the fear, uncertainty, and stress families face in probate court. I would approach being the probate judge with a deep understanding of the law based on my professional experience, but also the right balance of compassion for people before the court.
