Cheri L. Bruinsma
Middleville,MI
Summary
Dynamic legal professional with extensive experience, excelling in grant administration, ethics, and conflicts advice, and attorney training. Proven track record in managing multimillion-dollar budgets and developing impactful legal training programs. Skilled in policy writing and project management, fostering collaboration and driving success in complex legal environments. Seasoned professional in executive management known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Skilled in strategic planning, financial oversight, and team leadership. Excel in communication, problem-solving, and adaptability to drive organizational success.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director
Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council/Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan
01.2019 - Current
- Managed all operations for autonomous type 1 state agency housed in the Michigan Department of Attorney General and a non-profit corporation, including oversight of 31 employees, seven grants, and two budgets totaling nearly 3.5 million dollars
- Provided legal advice to elected prosecutors on a variety of issues, including ethics, professional responsibility, and conflicts of interest
- Developed trainings and training materials for prosecutors and assistant prosecutors on a variety of legal topics
- Drafted best practices and legal guides for use by prosecutors
Assistant Executive Director
Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council/Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Assisted with the oversight of staff.
- Provided input on personnel issues, hiring decisions, and employee discipline.
- Assisted with the administration of grants and prepared quarterly grant reports, including the Byrne Grant reports.
- Assisted Executive Director with general oversight of budget including presentations to Michigan House and Senate
- Provided legal assistance, training, and training materials to prosecutors across the state.
- Present on various legal topics affecting prosecutors.
- Updated Warrant and Courtroom Manuals quarterly.
- Interpreted and analyzed statutes to provide guidance to prosecutorial staff.
- Examined proposed legislation, and drafted alternate language to help ensure the accuracy of criminal statutes.
- Place conflict cases with alternate prosecutors' offices, and track such cases.
- Oversaw PAAM intern program, conducted on-campus interviews of candidates and selecting candidates for individual offices
Senior Assistant Attorney General
Michigan Attorney General
02.2013 - 12.2014
- Drafted appellate briefs and legal pleadings in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court, the Michigan Court of Appeals, and federal district courts in complex criminal cases.
- Participated in oral arguments in the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Conducted evidentiary hearings in federal district court.
- Assisted at moot arguments to help fellow attorneys prepare for oral arguments.
- Assisted drafting protocols for the OK2SAY program.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office
12.1998 - 02.2013
- Tried cases ranging from misdemeanor to felony life-offenses, including high profile cases
- Specialized in child sexual assault cases successfully convicting offenders of child sexual assault, child pornography and child abuse in numerous felony cases
- Researched legal issues and wrote appellate briefs filed in Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court in criminal and termination of parental rights proceedings
- Argued cases in appellate courts
- Drafted amicus curiae briefs on behalf of PAAM
- Handled emergency interlocutory appeals
- Conducted evidentiary hearings on post-conviction motions
- Advised trial attorneys regarding legal issues and strategies
- Provided legal advice to Prosecuting Attorney on numerous issues
Education
Juris Doctor -
University of Detroit School of Law
05.1998
B.A -
Michigan State University
12.1994
Associate of Liberal Arts -
Grand Rapids Community College
05.1992
Skills
- Grant administration
- Legal research
- Policy writing
- Budget management
- Conflicts and ethics advice
- Project management
Bar Admissions
- State of Michigan
- Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan
Affiliations
- National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators, Board of Directors, 2023-present
- Editorial Advisory Committee, Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct - Annotated, 2021-2023
- Prosecutor's Center for Excellence, National Best Practices Committee 2021-present
Timeline
Executive Director
Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council/Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan
01.2019 - Current
Assistant Executive Director
Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council/Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan
01.2015 - 01.2019
Senior Assistant Attorney General
Michigan Attorney General
02.2013 - 12.2014
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office
12.1998 - 02.2013
Juris Doctor -
University of Detroit School of Law
B.A -
Michigan State University
Associate of Liberal Arts -
Grand Rapids Community College
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