Our Staff
Nicewander, Berens & DeVries is blessed to have staff who are great at their respective jobs, have lots of experience, and most importantly, are wonderful people. Our staff have over 150 years of collective experience providing various forms of legal assistance (and counting). As a firm, we take pride in staff who have the tools to directly assist our clients without the need for excessive attorney involvement, which provides great value to our clients.
Sherri L. Zandbergen
Receptionist and Corporate Legal Assistant
Assists at the front desk answering phone calls, greeting clients, and setting up appointments as well as billing and accounts receivable. Drawing on her background in accounting, Sherri also prepares the yearly Minute Book updates for our corporate clients.
Sherri has been with Nicewander, Berens & DeVries since 2004
Dawn Sneden
Probate and Estate Planning Paralegal
Manages and oversees probate and trust administration files. Crafts specialty trusts and works extensively during the estate plan process with clients who have diverse asset portfolios. Has specialized knowledge in property tax exemptions as well as other real estate areas.
Dawn has been with Nicewander Berens & DeVries for over 40 years.
Kelsey Sirowatka
Legal Assistant
Assists with estate planning, probate/trust administration, guardianships, conservatorships, real estate transactions, corporate formations, acquisitions, mergers, governance documents, dissolutions, and restorations.
Prior to NBD, she worked at another local law firm for four years. Kelsey has been with Nicewander, Berens and DeVries since 2021.
Gail Ikerd
Condominium Paralegal
Assists clients in creating condominium projects and plats from start to finish. She aids associations and association leadership with formation and governance. She answers client questions and coordinates with other services providers (surveyors, etc.) to assist with condominium or home-owner association projects. In addition to condominium work, Gail drafts estate plans and assists with various real estate matters.
Gail has been with Nicewander, Berens & DeVries for over 35 years.
TJ DeBoode
Legal Assistant
Assists with family law matters: including divorce, post-divorce, child custody and support, and parenting time issues; litigation; collections; and landlord-tenant matters. Also assists in preparing estate planning documents and business formations as well as some administrative tasks.
TJ has been with Nicewander, Berens & DeVries since 1998.
Bonnie Buit
Receptionist and Billing Clerk
Greets clients, directs phone calls, and answers questions. Processes fees and costs, billing, and receipts for accounts receivable. Maintains the firm’s database of clients. Assists with additional tasks as needed to support other staff members.
Prior to NBD, she worked in other administrative, customer service, billing, and data entry capacities for 20 years. Bonnie has been with Nicewander, Berens and DeVries since 2013.
Madison Blanton
Legal Assistant
Drafts estate plans, assists with probate and trust administration, real estate transactions, and business transactions (including mergers, dissolutions, and restorations), as well as assists in forming LLC’s and Corporations.
Madison has been with Nicewander, Berens & DeVries since 2016.
Lindsey Baron
Legal Intern
Provides support and assistance in various legal areas as she learns the different aspects of legal services. Lindsey is also a full-time student at Calvin University pursuing a double major in Political Science and Music.
Lindsey Baron has been with Nicewander, Berens & DeVries since 2023