Meet Jordan Ahlers-Smith

Jordan Ahlers-Smith

Appellate Attorney at Speaker Law Firm, PLLC

(517) 482-8933

jahlers@speakerlaw.com

Jordan Ahlers-Smith is an appellate attorney with her practice area focusing largely on child custody and child welfare related appeals, as well as handling emergencies on appeal. Prior to joining the Firm as an associate attorney, Jordan was a law clerk for our office where her already apparent passion for legal research and writing, contributed greatly to the success of our clients' cases. Jordan regularly practices in the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court, and Jordan is also admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Jordan is an active member of the Ingham County Bar Association Family Law and Young Lawyers Sections, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, and the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section, Appellate Practice Section, Young Lawyers Section, and Children's Law Section. Jordan is the Secretary and a council member of the Children’s Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, as well as a member of the Section’s Amicus committee. Jordan is a council member for the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, in addition to serving as the co-chair of the Amicus committee, and a member of the Membership and Member Education committees. Jordan is the treasurer for the Mid-Michigan chapter of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and the President-Elect and board member for the Ingham County Bar Association.

Jordan graduated from Michigan State University College of Law in 2020 and earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Hillsdale College in 2017. Jordan lives in Lansing with her husband, Shane, and their two dogs, Dezi and Murphy.

Published Opinions:

  • Plachta v Plachta, ___ Mich App ___; ___ NW2d ___ (2026).

  • In re Barber/Espinoza Minors, ___ Mich ___; ___ NW3d ___ (2025) (amicus curiae).

  • Sabatine v Sabatine, 513 Mich 276; 15 NW2d 204 (2024).

  • Quint v Quint, ___ Mich App ___; ___ NW2d ___ (2024).

  • Kidder v Pobursky-Kidder, ___ Mich App ___; ___ NW2d ___ (2024).

  • Smith v Schafer, 349 Mich App 131; ___ NW2d ___ (2023).

  • Kuebler v Kuebler, 346 Mich App 633; 13 NW2d 399 (2023).

  • Findling v Auto-Owners Ins Co (In re Malloy), 343 Mich App 548; 997 NW2d 733 (2022); vacated in part 513 Mich 148; 15 NW2d 142 (2024).

  • Estate of Seybert v Wise, 340 Mich App 207; 985 NW2d 874 (2022).

  • CAJ v KDT, 339 Mich App 459; 984 NW2d 504 (2021).

  • Moriconi v Seely (In re Moriconi), 337 Mich App 515; 977 NW2d 583(2021).

  • Merecki v Merecki, 336 Mich App 639; 971 NW2d 659 (2021).

  • Bofysil v Bofysil, 332 Mich App 232; 956 NW2d 544 (2020).

Legal Publications:

  • Author, “More than Just the Money: An Overview of Michigan Change of Domicile Law and How to Get Your Change of Domicile Granted,” The Michigan Family Law Journal, December 2025.

  • Author, “Have You Helped Educate a Law Student Today,” The Michigan Family Law Journal, August-September 2023.

  • Co-Author, “Virtual Parenting Time: How Technology Impacts Non-Custodial Parenting”, The Michigan Family Law Journal, August-September 2020.

Presentations:

  • Presenter, “Litigating the New Ex Parte Order Rule & Tips for Preparing Your Case for Appeal,” Ingham County Bar Association Bench Bar Conference, February 2026.

  • Presenter, “Don't Keep it Secret, Keep it Safe: In-Chambers Conferences,” Family Law Section 2026 Mid-Winter Conference, February 2026.

  • Presenter, “Change of Domicile Motions,” Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project Annual Training, September 2025.

  • Moderator, “The “New” Custody Final Order Rule 6 Years Later: What Case Data Tells Us About Its Impact,” Michigan Appellate Bench Bar Conference, May 2025.

  • Host, Webinar “Litigating Parental Alienation with Attorney Ashish Joshi,” April 2025.

  • Panelist, “Family Law Practice Tips,” Michigan State University College of Law, February 2025.

  • Panelist, “Intersection of Criminal and Family Law Practice,” Michigan State University College of Law, November 2024.

  • Panelist, “Family Law Practice and the Benefits of Joining the Family Law Section,” Detroit Mercy School of Law, September 2024.

  • Presenter, “Appellate Family Law Practice in Michigan and Benefits of Bar Membership,” Michigan State University College of Law Family Law Society, March 2024.

  • Co-Presenter, “Benefits of Joining the Family Law Section,” Thomas M. Cooley Law School, November 2023.

  • Co-Presenter, “Basics of Family Law Practice in Michigan,” Michigan State University College of Law Family Law Society, March 2023.

  • Presenter, “Judicial Disqualification in Family Law Cases: A Fool’s Errand?”, Family Law Section 2022 Mid-Summer Conference, August 2022.

  • Plenary Session Panelist, “Lessons Learned from the Pandemic: May it please the (virtual) court?” Michigan Appellate Bench Bar Conference, May 2022.

Recognitions & Awards:

  • State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section – Regeana Myrick Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, March 2026.

  • Ingham County Bar Association – Top 5 Under 35 Award Recipient, March 2025.

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