Kendra Joanne Ortega

I have a passion for helping families through difficult times. Prior to my legal career, I worked with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. I was able to gain the compassion and knowledge to help families navigate through a complex system in times of need. Now, I guide clients through a different, yet still complex system - family court.

While working for MDHHS, I was stationed in an elementary school. The families there became “my families” and I took great pride in the simple task of greeting the students at the door every morning with a big smile and a high-five. I believe it is imperative that every child and family I work with knows their worth.

I am born and raised in the Grand Rapids area. As an only child I developed an ability to keep myself entertained. I’d put on theater, music, and dance shows in my backyard where neighbors came to enjoy the show; at least until the batteries in my beloved “boombox” would lose their charge. My love for theater and public speaking has served me well as an attorney as I advocate for my clients in court.

After completing my undergraduate degree in one of my two loves, music, I went on to attend WMU Thomas M. Cooley Law School and graduated magna cum laude to practice my second love, law. My first goal was to find a place where I could work with colleagues who would share my love for parents and children in need and where the team would value a superior knowledge of Michigan law.  I found that right away with the Kraayeveld Law team. Here, the attorneys work as a team to passionately represent clients at all stages of divorce and custody litigation.

In my free time, I enjoy spending family time with my husband and our two daughters, and my English Bulldog – Sir Howard the Magnifico – affectionately known as “Howie.”