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Occupation / Current Position
Judge, Michigan Court of Appeals
Education
J.D., Yale Law School, 2006; B.A., Swarthmore College, 2002
Qualifications and Experience
Appointed to the Court of Appeals by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2025. Previously Legal Director and attorney with ACLU of Michigan, 2008-2025.
I was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2025. Prior to joining the Court, I was an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan for over 16 years, including five years as Legal Director. I specialized in civil rights, civil liberties, and constitutional law. I was also co-chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Access to Justice Policy Committee, and I taught classes at the University of Michigan Law School and Wayne State University Law School. It is an honor and privilege to serve the people of Michigan on the Court of Appeals.
The Court of Appeals is Michigan's statewide intermediate appellate court where we hear appeals from trial courts and administrative agencies in all areas of the law. Because the Michigan Supreme Court takes only a handful of cases, we are the court of last resort for most people in Michigan. One challenge we face is that we must handle a very high volume of cases, and our duty is to address the issues fairly, transparently, and without undue delay. I consider it a priority to ensure that all participants in our legal system have an opportunity to be heard and are treated impartially and with courtesy, dignity and respect.
Access to counsel for low-income Michiganders is an area of great need. Our courts can address this issue by appointing counsel when possible and encouraging the Legislature and private bar to increase funding and support for legal services programs. A second area of need is to make our legal system easier to use for people who are unable to obtain counsel. Our courts can address this issue by making forms, rules, procedures, and orders easier to understand and supporting the development of services, trainings, and online tools to provide guidance and expand access for people who are using the legal system on their own.
I support the amendment to Michigan's court rules, effective May 1, 2026, to prohibit civil arrests at courthouses (and while people are going to and leave court on official business) except when authorized by a warrant. In order for our legal system to operate fairly, all people with legitimate business with and in our courts must be able to access the courts free from unwarranted harassment or interference. This includes, for example, survivors of domestic violence seeking a PPO, low-income tenants facing eviction, or crime victims testifying at trial. Access to the courts for all people is a fundamental right and makes the system work.
