Jacquelyn Kmetz

Jacquelyn Kmetz (formerly Babinski) is a passionate and experienced attorney who has dedicated her career to advocating for children's education rights. 
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Jacquelyn Kmetz graduated from Central Michigan University with a BS in Child Development and Psychology in December 2014. After graduating, she spent a year and a half working as a juvenile probation officer for Montcalm County before attending law school. In December 2018, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Michigan State University College of Law and began working for Elizabeth K. Abdnour, Esq., PLLC, first as a law clerk and then as a Contract Attorney following her admission to the bar. In July 2020, Jacquelyn opened her private practice, Babinski Law, PLLC, practicing education and criminal law, along with some court-appointed family law work. Jacquelyn closed her private practice in May 2022 to join North Pointe Legal, PLLC - a criminal defense and family law firm in Ludington, MI - where she expanded her knowledge and representation of juvenile defense and child abuse/neglect matters. From March 2020 to June 2023, Jacquelyn also provided services as a Contract Attorney to Legal Services of Eastern Michigan (LSEM). At LSEM, Jacquelyn primarily represents students attending Flint Community Schools who have been affected by the Flint Water Crisis. Since April 2023, Jacquelyn has been an associate attorney at Barger & Gaines, a law firm exclusively representing students with disabilities in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Michigan. Jacquelyn is also currently involved with multiple non-profit organizations focused on improving the lives of youth. 

At MI AECRES, Jacquelyn serves as our Executive Director managing the day-to-day affairs of the organization and working closely with the other board members to develop and implement strategic planning initiatives of MI AECRES. Jacquelyn also serves as MI AECRES' lead attorney, which includes recruiting, training, and supervising non-attorney advocates; identifying, investigating, developing and litigating education cases in administrative hearings, as well as in federal and state court; and engaging with community partners, policymakers, and community groups working on similar issues.