HARRIS LAW - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Attorney at Law Civil Litigation, Probate and Guardianship, Landlord - Tenant Matters, and Criminal Defense
Originally from Federal Heights, Colorado, Alex Breckenridge is a passionate attorney with a diverse practice that includes civil litigation, probate and guardianship, landlord-tenant matters, and criminal defense. Known for her attention to detail, friendly attitude and clear communication, Alex approaches each case with a focus on practical solutions and strong client advocacy.
Alex earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2017 after completing dual B.A. degrees in English Literature and Political Science at the University of Colorado. Her early career included legal and nonprofit roles centered on policy, education, and community access-experience that continues to inform her client-centered approach to legal practice today.
In 2018, Alex moved from Colorado to Michigan and stepped back from law to focus on family. She and her wife, Jess, welcomed their son, Kerrigan, the following year. As Kerrigan grew older, Alex returned to legal practice and was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 2022.
She joined Harris Law in 2025, where she represents clients across northern Michigan in a range of matters-from quiet title actions and guardianship proceedings to misdemeanor defense and eviction litigation. Alex is especially valued for her ability to simplify complex legal issues, listen closely to her clients' needs, and provide steady guidance during times of uncertainty.
Attorney Anthony L. DeLuca earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School, which is consistently ranked as one of the top law schools in the country. Mr. DeLuca completed his undergraduate work in Boston, where he graduated with honors from Emerson College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in writing.
During law school, Mr. DeLuca worked for the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. During law school Mr. DeLuca also worked for Honigman Miller Schwartz & Cohn, one of the most prominent law firms in Michigan. Mr. DeLuca began his career as a lawyer in the New York City office of Nixon Peabody, which is one of the largest law firms in the world.
Mr. DeLuca is a seasoned attorney with extensive litigation and transactional experience. He has litigated several high profile jury trials and has successfully handled numerous other matters throughout his career which spans more than 20 years.
Mr. DeLuca is admitted to practice law in all state courts in Michigan and New York, as well as the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan.
QUALIFICATIONS
J.D. - 2000 University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
BFA - 1995 Emerson College, Boston, Massachusetts
Job Titles:
- Attorney at Law Criminal, Estate Planning, and Family Law
Originally from Clio, MI, Chris is a passionate attorney with a deep commitment to helping individuals navigate the complexities of the legal system. After witnessing the challenges his mother faced during a divorce without legal representation, he decided to pursue a career as an attorney to ensure others wouldn't face similar struggles. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 2020 and brings a compassionate approach to every case.
As a graduate of Clio High School, Central Michigan University, and Cooley Law School, Chris specializes in criminal law, estate planning, and family law. He has valuable experience from his prior role as an Assistant Prosecutor in Clinton County, where he served for two years, prior to that he had a private practice in both Genesee and Livingston Counties.
Known for his dedication to his clients, Chris goes above and beyond to ensure they are satisfied with the legal services he provides, always prioritizing their well-being and needs throughout the process.
Outside of his practice, Chris recently moved up north to Alpena with his girlfriend of three years, their 6-month-old Corgi "Wayne," and their 1.5-year-old cat "Griffin." Sadly, his 6-year-old Chihuahua/Mini Australian Shepherd "Gordy" recently passed away. As an avid animal lover, he is also a staunch advocate for animal rights and works to make a positive impact on behalf of animals.
Dan Harris is recognized by his peers, adversaries and clients as a fierce litigator with a very level head. He consistently receives client referrals and recommendations from other attorneys, law enforcement, court personnel and many others who have knowledge of his experience and professionalism. Dan attended GVSU undergraduate with an emphasis in philosophy and communications. He attended law school at Michigan State University where he was elected to both Moot Court and Trial Team. Dan graduate cum laude in 2000.
Mr. Harris returned to Northern Michigan in 2000 to open his practice. Mr. Harris has focused his practice on representing personal injury victims and criminal defense. For the first few years of his career, he engaged in both public defense and court appointed cases. This gave him experience in the courtroom and many jury trials in these areas. Mr. Harris was elected to serve as the President of the Emmet - Charlevoix Bar Association. He also was a guest speaker at the Michigan Trial Lawyers annual conference in Dearborn, Michigan on the subject of "How to Obtain a Jury Verdict in a Premises Liability Case". Mr. Harris is further a member of the Michigan Association for Justice.
In 2015, Mr. Harris had 2 separate Jury verdicts upheld by the Michigan Supreme Court. In the case of Latham v Barton Malow, the Court upheld a verdict of nearly 2 million dollars in favor of Plaintiff who sustained two broken ankles in a work related accident. In a first party no-fault case, Home Owners Insurance offered zero before trial, and the jury awarded $181,000 in favor of Plaintiff. Mr. Harris has a track record of success against large business and insurance companies.
Each year, Mr. Harris achieves millions of dollars of compensation for his clients. He takes the time to learn each case and the nuances necessary to win. He practices throughout the state of Michigan and handles each case with precision. Before choosing any other lawyer, a free consultation with Mr. Harris is worth your time.
Jonathan B. Steffy received his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts in 2004. He received his law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2008. During law school, Mr. Steffy clerked for the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. Mr. Steffy was admitted to the State Bar of Illinois in 2008, and after relocating to Michigan with his family, he was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 2018.
Mr. Steffy spent the last ten years practicing criminal defense through the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender in Chicago, and the Illinois Office of the State Appellate Defender. During his career as a trial lawyer, Mr. Steffy has represented hundreds of clients facing a wide range of misdemeanor and felony charges, including a various assortment of criminal defense cases such as drunk driving, assault and battery, possession of controlled substances, gun offenses, sex crimes, armed robbery, and attempted murder.
In addition to extensive jury and bench trial experience, Mr. Steffy has also enjoyed success as an appellate attorney, winning new trials for clients convicted of murder and other serious felonies. He is also skilled at writing and arguing pretrial motions, which if successful, often mean charges are dismissed without the risk of going to trial. Each of Mr. Steffy's clients benefits from his experience and dedication to protecting their rights and obtaining the best possible result.
Mr. Steffy is excited to be joining Harris Law, where his practice will be focusing on criminal defense and bankruptcy cases. He enjoys spending time, preferably outdoors, with his family and friends in Northern Michigan, as well as cooking, music, and traveling.
Since beginning his practice in Northern Michigan in 2019, Jon has taken many felony cases to jury trial in several counties, including capital cases and four Criminal Sexual Conduct trials. Notable results include winning not-guilty verdicts on Domestic Violence and Criminal Sexual Conduct (First, Second, and Third Degree) charges, as well as convincing the government to drop charges against clients in multiple cases. Not every defense attorney is prepared to go to trial when necessary, but Mr. Steffy has the trial experience and local expertise you need to contest the most serious allegations any citizen can face.
Lauren is a native Metro Detroiter and attended Wayne State University for law school. As a law student, she worked for Goodman, Hurwitz, and James, P.C. in Detroit, assisting in litigation of federal civil rights cases. After graduating cum laude in 2019, Lauren moved to Indianapolis to pursue a career as a public defender. For six years, she represented indigent people accused of crimes ranging from misdemeanors to major felonies. In her time as a major felony defender, she successfully secured not guilty verdicts or dismissals for clients accused of battery, armed robbery, rape, felony gun possession, child molestation, and murder. She is known as a skilled negotiator, a compassionate communicator, and a fierce defender of the presumption of innocence.
Lauren has loved Northern Michigan her whole life and made the decision to move to Petoskey in Spring 2025. At Harris Law, she plans to continue her practice of criminal defense and take on family law cases as well, including divorce and child custody. In her free time, Lauren can be found trail running or hiking with her two dogs, Sunny and Remus.
Focusing primarily on cases pertaining to Social Security disability, workers compensation, estate planning and veteran's benefits, it's clear to see Mark A. Aiello's passion is finding justice for hard-working and deserving people. Attorney Mark A. Aiello is one of few who can boast a 90% success rate for acquiring compensation for cases having to do with Social Security, and has recovered millions of dollars for countless clients over the years. He is a member of the National Advocates Top 100, recognizing him as one of the top disability attorneys in Michigan. His VA accreditation allows him to travel anywhere throughout the country and service the men and women who have fought for our country by representing them in their claims to receive the disability benefits they deserve.
His passion for helping good people, vast knowledge, experience, and determination to seek out justice for those who cannot fight for themselves is what allows him to win nearly every case. With over 20 years of experience, working with men and women who have suffered and lost so much, his goal is to continue providing excellent legal representation for people and families who have nowhere else to go, and no one else to trust. By trusting in attorney Mark A. Aiello's legal advice and capabilities, you can rest easy knowing that you are taking the best approach to get the justice you deserve.
Focusing primarily on cases pertaining to Social Security disability, workers compensation, estate planning and veteran's benefits, it's clear to see Mr. Aiello's passion is finding justice for hard-working and deserving people. Attorney Mr. Aiello is one of few who can boast a 90% success rate for acquiring compensation for cases having to do with Social Security.
Mark K. Connolly received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University with an emphasis in Criminal Justice. He received his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Grand Rapids and graduated cum laude. He further participated on mock trial competition teams and volunteered his free time to pro-bono legal services while in law school.
After graduating from law school in 2012, and passing the Michigan Bar Exam in 2013, Mr. Connolly has returned to his hometown of Petoskey to begin practicing law. After working for Harris Law while in law school, Mr. Connolly has joined the office full time as an attorney. He focuses on personal injury and auto no-fault claims, and also handles criminal defense and general civil actions.
After becoming a licensed attorney in 2013, Mr. Connolly returned to his hometown of Petoskey to practice law for Harris Law. Mr. Connolly now has nearly a decade of experience representing clients across the northern Michigan area with a focus on personal injury claims, auto no-fault, criminal defense, and general civil matters.
Maureen B. Connaughton has over 30 years of experience. Ms. Connaughton began her career with the boutique family law firm of Buesser, Buesser, Black, Lynch, Fryhoff & Graham in Birmingham, Michigan. While at that firm, she specialized in complex divorce cases, custody matters and family law agreements such as prenuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements, reconciliation agreements and settlement agreements.
Ms. Connaughton then became a partner in the Bloomfield Hills, Michigan firm of Dawda, Mann, Mulcahy & Sadler, PC. During this time, Ms. Connaughton expanded her practice to include civil litigation and real estate law, handling real estate transactions and commercial litigation for The Home Depot. In her role as a real estate attorney, Ms. Connaughton was on the Steering Committee of the Detroit Leadership Council to improve and revitalize the City of Detroit.
After successfully handling numerous matters for The Home Depot, Ms. Connaughton moved to Atlanta, Georgia to work in-house for The Home Depot. It was during her time with The Home Depot that Ms. Connaughton honed her skills in the areas of real estate and business law.
Ms. Connaughton left The Home Depot to act as the General Counsel for the Home Construction Lending group of IndyMac Bank in Pasadena, California. In that role, Ms. Connaughton was responsible for overseeing and managing the operations of the entire division, including creating and implementing the policies and procedures.
Ms. Connaughton later became a founding member of Sabal Financial Group, LP in Newport Beach, California. She traveled frequently to Washington DC to work closely with the Director of the FDIC, Structured Transactions Division, to create the transactional documents utilized by the FDIC to sell bank portfolios to private investors. As General Counsel, Ms. Connaughton negotiated the purchase of several bank portfolios, established the policies and procedures for a new company to comply with Federal regulations and oversaw all operations for the successful operation and management of multi-billion dollar portfolios.
Ms. Connaughton returned to her hometown in Petoskey, Michigan, and joined Harris Law, PC in 2018. As a member of Harris Law, PC, Ms. Connaughton focuses her practice primarily on complex divorce cases, custody matters and prenuptial agreements. Ms. Connaughton continues to also specialize in real estate transactions and business law.
Ms. Connaughton has over 30 years of experience. As a member of Harris Law, PC, Ms. Connaughton focuses her practice primarily on complex divorce cases, custody matters and prenuptial agreements. Ms. Connaughton continues to also specialize in real estate transactions and business law.
Michael T. Klagstad is an Upper Peninsula transplant who came to Northern Lower Michigan to attend Central Michigan University. After receiving his Bachelor's Degree, he moved on to Michigan State University College of Law where he received 5 jurisprudence awards and graduated in the top 3% of his class. He gained litigation experience during his summers off from law school by working in the Schoolcraft County Prosecutor's Office, where he assisted in prosecuting and preparing criminal cases for trial. After passing the July 2014 bar examination and being admitted to the State Bar Association, he spent 3 years with an insurance defense firm where he practiced personal injury and criminal law while gaining valuable trial practice skills and building an impressive record in front of the Court of Appeals.
In 2018, Harris Law hired Mr. Klagstad to help clients receive benefits they have wrongly been denied and achieve the best possible resolution of their cases. Quickly building a reputation with judges for meticulous preparation and zealous advocacy for his clients, Mr. Klagstad now exclusively handles all the firm's social security cases, and continues to practice personal injury and criminal defense with the same mentality that has served his clients well. Just as comfortable in a trout stream as he is in the courtroom, Mr. Klagstad is an avid fisherman and shooting sports enthusiast, and enjoys the outdoors the Gaylord area has to offer.
In 2018, Harris Law hired Mr. Klagstad to help Social Security Disability and Worker's Compensation clients receive benefits they have wrongly been denied and achieve the best possible resolution of their cases. In addition, he continues to practice personal injury, general civil litigation, and criminal defense.
Job Titles:
- Member of the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section
Miranda J. Bailey-Quick focuses her practice primarily on family law, criminal law, estate planning, and personal injury. Although these areas may seem diverse to one another, Miranda believes they are more often interrelated than most tend to believe. Often, as a family law attorney, clients have found themselves involved in the criminal justice system because of a domestic dispute with their spouse, or in personal protection matters. It is important to have thorough knowledge and experience in both areas of law as criminal charges can and often drastically affects a client's family law case and vice versa. Lastly, a family law client can never be too cautious in preparing for the unexpected. Estate Planning is vital in protecting your children's future, should anything happen to you as their parent, whether that includes preparing guardianship and conservatorship plans and documentation in your Last Will and Testament, or having your Estate Planning executed to save your adult children from the conflict involved in probating the estate of a deceased parent who did not leave a will or trust instrument. Further, Miranda is experienced in handling the protection of assets in estate planning for any child (adult or minor), who may have special needs or disabilities, without affecting or interrupting their disability benefits. Miranda can assist in your estate planning needs to alleviate you and/or your children's stress in the future.
Miranda, a native of the Upper Peninsula, Drummond Island, and returned to the Northern Michigan Area in 2007. Miranda received a Bachelor of Science from Central Michigan University in 2001. While at Michigan State University College of Law, Miranda received her Juris Doctor degree in 2006 with certificates in the Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Certificate Program, Criminal Law Certificate Program, and Indigenous Law Certificate Program. As part of the Trial Practice Program, Mrs. Bailey-Quick was selected as a 2005 Intern for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan specifically to assist in showcasing their electronic courtroom. Also while at MSU College of Law, Miranda was an extern with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and Chippewa County Public Defender's Office.
Miranda began her career in Grayling, Michigan where she lived and worked for three years before moving to Gaylord, Michigan where she has continued to live and work since 2010, handling all aspects of law, with focuses on family law, criminal law, estate planning, and personal injury. Miranda has served indigent clients in Roscommon County in neglect and abuse cases, as well as indigent clients in Crawford County in neglect and abuse cases, and criminal cases in Crawford County 87-C District Court handling misdemeanors, and felony matters in the 46th Circuit Court for Crawford County. Miranda served as the indigent defense contract administrator for a number of years until January 2017. Miranda further served as the defense team member for the Northern Michigan Regional DWI Treatment Court. Miranda, beginning June 2017, will begin serving as the defense team member for the Montmorency County Veteran's Treatment Court.
Miranda is a member of the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section, and has held section memberships in the Criminal Law Section, Medical Marijuana Section, Indigenous Law Section, and Negligence Law Section. Miranda has further held memberships with the State Appellate Defender's Office, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, as well as having served the 46th Circuit Bar Association.
Miranda believes continuing education is a necessities for attorneys to maintain current in all areas of law and has routinely participated and continues to participate in continuing education. Miranda has received the Institute of Continuing Legal Education Family Law Certificate and is currently working toward the Institute of Continuing Legal Education Estate Planning Certificate. In August 2013, Miranda completed the State Court Administrative Office 40 Hour General Civil Mediation Training, and in May 2017, will have completed the 40 Hour Domestic Relations Mediation Training. In May 2017, Miranda further completed the Collaborative Divorce Training.
Miranda has been involved in the community serving as a board member and Vice President of the Grayling Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Rotary Club of Grayling, a sponsor of the Alpen Frost 5k, a member of the Grayling Youth Boosters, a member of St. Mary's Cathedral Church, and a Volunteer Mediator with Community Mediation Services in Gaylord.
Ms. Bailey-Quick is an Upper Peninsula native that has joined Harris Law team to focus on family law, criminal law, estate planning, and personal injury. Ms. Bailey-Quick is a member of the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section, and has held section memberships in the Criminal Law Section, Medical Marijuana Section, Indigenous Law Section, and Negligence Law Section. Miranda has further held memberships with the State Appellate Defender's Office, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, as well as having served the 46th Circuit Bar Association.
Robert K. Gibson received his B.A. from the University of Michigan. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
He is licensed to practice in the State of Michigan as well as in the Federal District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
Rob focuses his practice in the areas of civil litigation, real estate law and property matters, corporate and business law, liquor license transfers, and general civil practice.