Biographical Information
Occupation / Current Position
Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
Education
B.A. Anthropology, Yale University. J.D. Harvard Law School.
Why are you seeking a seat on the Michigan Supreme Court, and how do your education, work, and community experiences prepare you to serve?
I am seeking retention for Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court to continue serving as a fair, independent, and steady voice on the Court. My background serving as a trial judge, intermediate appellate judge, and justice of our state Supreme Court makes me uniquely well suited for this role. My approach has always been guided by a commitment to facts and impartiality, ensuring that every person who enters a courtroom is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. Born and raised in Detroit, I grew up in a family deeply rooted in public service, faith, and community leadership, and I bring those values to the integrity of the Court’s work.
Please explain, in simple terms, what the Michigan Supreme Court does and what priorities you would pursue if elected.
The Michigan Supreme Court interprets Michigan’s laws and constitution, ensures consistency across lower courts, and oversees the administration of justice statewide. My priorities are to improve access to justice, strengthen public trust, and ensure courts are efficient, well resourced and grounded in the rule of law. This includes supporting problem solving courts, which I co-liaison, and Veterans Treatment Courts that promote accountability while addressing root causes of repeat involvement in the system.
What do you consider to be the most significant challenges confronting Michigan’s justice system, and what role should the Supreme Court play in addressing them?
Michigan’s justice system faces challenges like reducing financial, language, and informational barriers that keep people from fully accessing the courts, managing caseloads, and sustaining public trust at a time when institutional confidence is on the decline. The Supreme Court’s role here is administrative by setting court rules, ensuring courts are well resourced, and supporting problem solving courts. That work matters more than ever. I will keep deciding cases based on the law, the facts, and precedent, not personal preference, so Michiganders can trust that our courts remain fair, efficient, and accessible to all.