I am a hardworking attorney and family man. I have 36 years of dedicated service and have appeared in all state and federal courts in Michigan. Besides representing private clients, I have been appointed 1000's of times by at least 25 different probate courts to represent individuals and families that need legal representation. Because of my experience and skills, I have been appointed to serve as Guardian, Conservator, Special Fiduciary and Trustee 100's of times by various probate judges. I have been appointed even more times to assist probate judges by writing reports that involve investigation, legal analysis and recommending solutions or actions to take. I have had more probate jury trials than anyone in the state the past 7 years.

My priority is to "Put Families First" which means ensuring every person has a voice and is given the opportunity to be heard when they come to court asking for protection, helping a loved one or asking for assistance with a family dispute. My probate experience has taught me that each person is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect so fairness and justice prevails. My belief is that every court decision should prioritize the well-being and best interests of families and individuals. My goal is to create a court environment where families feel supported and confident that their concerns are being addressed with the highest level of professionalism and care.

As judge, I would first gently try to direct such a lawyer on what legal issue, law or what facts and evidence are relevant to or for their client during the hearing. If that did not work, I would take a short recess and give the lawyer an opportunity to talk with their client to discuss the relevant law, issues or facts. Lastly, I would adjourn the matter and direct the attorney to be prepared on the specific issues or facts needed to assist their client. If it was a court-appointed attorney and the attorney was unprepared or ineffective repeatedly, I would likely not appoint them until they demonstrate that they can be effective helping their client.

For the past decade, she has been a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable people in society. She focuses on the protection of families and vulnerable adults through guardianships, conservatorships, and neglect/abuse matters. Even in private practice, she has served Wayne County Probate Court as a fiduciary, Guardian Ad Litem, and court appointed attorney for the mental health and developmentally disabled docket. As a community minded attorney, her zealous representation has never wavered regardless of the client’s income or lack thereof. As a Judge, she plans to utilize her specialized legal knowledge to every case while treating every person who enters the courtroom with the dignity they deserve.

Fee waivers and access to the Court are issues. The staff should automatically off fee waivers to self-represented litigants. In addition, the Court needs to open up or a hybrid structure should be adopted. Right now, it is a 100% remote and citizens cannot enter Court to file what they need. Pre-COVID, a person could walk to the 13th Floor where every possible probate form would be available for free. A person could fill it out and file it immediately. Now, the court only takes filings via fax, mail or email. Payment can only be submitted via mail/online. Unfortunately, this is not convenient for many. It fails to account for those who do not have internet, computers, printers or online payment options. These barriers should not exist.

Within the bounds of the canons that govern a Judge's conduct, If the party faces irreparable harm by the attorney's ineffectiveness, I would ask the party and attorney to approach the bench. I will ask the attorney if he/she is ok. I will consider reasonable personal issues as a possible basis to adjourn. At that point, the party has an option to seek effective counsel.

In February 2023, I started working for the Department of Appeals and Hearings for the City of Detroit as an Administrative Hearing Officer. In this quasi-judicial position, I hear appeals arising out of decisions made by multiple city agencies against businesses and Detroit citizens. In addition, on a daily basis, I make decisions on cases that come before me. Currently, I hear cases regarding blight, dangerous buildings and environmental pollution. I worked for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office for twenty-three years. My court litigation experience has provided me with the ability to conduct trials, and issue proper rulings of law to serve the community at an excellent professional level.

After talking to over 5,000 Wayne County residents about Probate Court, their consistent concern is the delay in the settlement of probate cases. If elected their concern will become my concern. I would go to the Chief Judge to try to implement new procedures to speed up the probate process.

Everyone is entitled to good and competent legal representation. If I felt a lawyer was performing so badly that his client would suffer harm due to the lawyer’s incompetence, I would stop the proceeding. I would call both parties up to the bench or go into chambers and request that the attorney withdraw from the case.

If there is no valid reason provided for the performance, I would report the incident to the Attorney Grievance Commission.

I began my legal career as a Special Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor in Wayne County Juvenile Court where I gained valuable courtroom experience and skills. I later served as Assistant Deputy Director for Wayne County's Department of Children and Family Services where I oversaw programs that successfully rehabilitated families involved in our court system. As a litigator, I have conducted multiple trials throughout our county's court systems. Additionally, my memberships with the Wayne County Juvenile Court Trial Lawyers, Detroit Bar Association, and the Wayne County Defense Bar Association have provided me invaluable professional development. My experience and training has uniquely prepared me to serve the public as their probate judge.

Wayne County Probate Court is the busiest court in our state and yet, its doors remain closed to the public it serves, affecting access to justice. If elected, I will lead the effort to reopen the probate court's doors allowing the public full access to the court. Too many families have been detrimentally affected by the court's self-imposed closure. While remote proceedings may be effective in certain circumstances, they should only be conducted by choice. I will also hold accountable court-appointed attorneys who exploit vulnerable families by over charging legal fees. Too many families have been left penniless after our probate courts approve exorbitant fees for the attorneys they appoint, this is unacceptable and must change.

In such a situation, I would do my best to ensure the client was protected by explaining their rights on the record and ensuring they understood those rights. I would also address the issues their attorney neglected and ask the client if they needed additional time before agreeing to any matters. Additionally, I would consult with the lawyer in an attempt to understand why they were ineffective or unprepared. If the representation was egregious, I would report the lawyer's conduct accordingly. I may also give the client a list of free legal aide clinics if the circumstances indicated.