Committed to Kent County

Charissa is a dedicated community leader who has been heavily invested in bettering the lives of local families, children, and marginalized communities. She is committed to improving the practice of law, and has a proven record of advancing access to justice for all people.

Top: Volunteering for OutPro Council of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Middle: Working at the SECOM Ministries food pantry for Day of Service. Bottom: Clothing drive volunteer for Women’s Resource Center.

Leadership in the Community

Charissa has had the privilege of serving on boards of directors and in other volunteer leadership roles for all of the following community organizations:

  • Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation

  • Grand Rapids Pride Center

  • St. Cecilia Music Center

  • OutPro Council for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce

  • Emerging Leaders Council for D.A. Blodgett St. John's

  • West Michigan Cooperative

In addition, she was appointed by Mayor Rosalynn Bliss to serve on the Housing Appeals Board for the City of Grand Rapids. 

She also loves working with children. Over the course of her career, she has visited numerous schools to talk with students about their civil rights and responsibilities, and what it means to be in the legal profession in Grand Rapids, Kentwood, and Rockford.

Leadership in the Law

Charissa serves as a mentor for young lawyers and has volunteered for more than 10 years for the Hillman Advocacy Program for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

She is committed to advancing professionalism, collegiality, and integrity within the legal community and has served as a Trustee of the Grand Rapids Bar Association and the Justice Foundation of West Michigan, as a member of the Character & Fitness Committee for the State Bar of Michigan in her district.

Volunteering as a mentor at MLive’s Mentoring Monday event.
Credit: Anntaninna Biondo, MLive.com

Pro Bono Legal Representation

Charissa is honored to regularly provide pro bono legal services, including:

  • Representing criminal defendants through court appointed services in Kent County

  • Serving as pro bono counsel through the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan's pro bono case assignment panel

  • Assisting families in immigration proceedings

  • Serving on the lawyers committee of the ACLU of Michigan, and

  • Counseling non-profit organizations