She graduated cum laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2001, and received her Master of Law degree in Taxation from Cooley in 2005, with an emphasis in employee benefits. She practices in both state and federal courts, including the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. Gardner serves on the Pro Bono committee of the Saginaw County Bar Association, and was the Saginaw Bar Association Pro Bono Attorney of the Year in 2012. She is a member of the Great Lakes Bay Chapter of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. She also currently serves on the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee and the Character and Fitness Committee for the State Bar of Michigan.