List of first women lawyers and judges in Michigan explained

This is a list of the first women lawyer(s) and judge(s) in Michigan. It includes the year in which the women were admitted to practice law (in parentheses). Also included are women who achieved other distinctions such becoming the first in their state to graduate from law school or become a political figure.

Firsts in Michigan's history

Lawyers

State judges

Federal judges

United States Attorney

Assistant United States Attorney

Judge Advocate General

County Prosecutor

Political Office

Michigan State Bar Association

Faculty

Firsts in local history

See also

Other topics of interest

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Michigan Alumnus. 1982. UM Libraries. en.
  2. Sharlow. Carrie. March 2017. Michigan Lawyers in History: Theresa Dolan. Michigan Bar Journal. 48–49.
  3. Book: Smith, J. Clay Jr.. Emancipation: The Making of the Black Lawyer, 1844–1944. 1999-01-01. University of Pennsylvania Press. 0812216857. en.
  4. Book: The Michigan Alumnus. 1991. UM Libraries. en.
  5. News: Judge Geraldine Bledsoe Ford, 76. Staff. Michigan Lawyers Weekly. 2003-10-13. Michigan Lawyers Weekly. 2018-02-01. en-US.
  6. Web site: Women's History Timeline . 2018-01-10 . www.michiganwomenshalloffame.org.
  7. Web site: Mary Coleman . 2019-01-12 . www.micourthistory.org.
  8. Atencio . Dolores S. . 2023 . LUMINARIAS: AN EMPIRICAL PORTRAIT OF THE FIRST GENERATION OF LATINA LAWYERS 1880–1980 . Chicanx-Latinx Law Review . 39 . 1.
  9. Web site: Dorothy Comstock Riley . 2019-01-12 . www.micourthistory.org.
  10. Fresard. Patricia P.. February 2001. FEATURE: ALICE IN WONDERLAND: THE CHILD AS COMPLAINANT IN THE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT CASE. MI Bar JNL.. 80. 60.
  11. Upon Fresard being elected as a Judge of the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County, Michigan
  12. Web site: Fresard appointed Third Circuit chief judge > Detroit Legal News . 2023-06-09 . legalnews.com.
  13. Web site: 2021-08-17 . Karen Hood, Michigan's first Black woman elected to Court of Appeals, dead at 68 . 2023-08-28 . Associated Press . en-US.
  14. Book: Stange . Mary Zeiss . Encyclopedia of Women in Today's World . Oyster . Carol K. . Sloan . Jane E. . 2011-02-23 . SAGE . 978-1-4129-7685-5 . en.
  15. Web site: First Muslim Woman Takes the Bench in Detroit . 2022-04-26 . hwpi.harvard.edu . en.
  16. Web site: Judge in Detroit is Not First Muslim Woman Judge in U.S. . 2022-04-26 . hwpi.harvard.edu . en.
  17. Book: Wilkinson, Sook. Asian Americans in Michigan: Voices from the Midwest. 2015-04-01. Wayne State University Press. 978-0-8143-3974-9. en.
  18. Web site: WLMagazine . 2019-02-25 . History on the Bench: Judge Christina Elmore . 2019-03-04 . Women's Lifestyle Magazine . en-US.
  19. Web site: Pathbreaker: Dearborn Heights woman becomes Michigan's first Palestinian American judge . 2022-05-03 . www.deadlinedetroit.com.
  20. Web site: 2022-11-22 . Whitmer appoints first Black woman to Michigan's top court . 2022-11-23 . AP NEWS . en.
  21. Web site: March 2023 . Hon. Allie Greenleaf Maldonado to Be Sworn in as First Tribal Citizen on Court of Appeals . 2023-04-12 . www.courts.michigan.gov.
  22. News: Michigan's first black female federal judge dies at 84. Detroit News. 2018-01-19. en.
  23. News: Senate confirms first openly lesbian federal judge in Michigan. MSNBC. 2018-01-15.
  24. News: Federal judge cries after hearing Supreme Court ruling. Detroit News. 2018-01-19. en.
  25. News: A 90 Minutes Program Judge Judith E. Levy, Nov. 2 - Ohio University College of Arts & Sciences. 2016-11-01. Ohio University College of Arts & Sciences. 2018-01-19. en-US.
  26. Web site: Burke . Melissa Nann . Senate confirms Oakland County judge, first Chaldean, to federal bench . 2022-04-27 . The Detroit News . en-US.
  27. Web site: 2021-12-23. First Michigan judge of South Asian descent sworn as federal district court judge for Eastern District of Michigan. 2022-02-23. mlive. en.
  28. Web site: Burke . Melissa Nann . U.S. Senate confirms Michigan's Davis to 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals . 2022-06-10 . The Detroit News . en-US.
  29. Web site: November 16, 2023 . Ford Motor Company Executive Susan K. DeClercq Sworn In As United States District Judge . UNITED STATES DISTRICTCOURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN.
  30. Web site: Former Governors - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm Biography. www.michigan.gov. en. 2018-11-19.
  31. Web site: First Arab-American Muslim Woman Argues at U.S. High Court (1) . 2022-03-08 . news.bloomberglaw.com . en.
  32. Web site: Warikoo. Niraj. Saima Mohsin to be 1st Muslim US attorney next month. 2021-03-26. Detroit Free Press. en-US.
  33. Web site: 2021-02-01. Saima Mohsin RLAW '94 to Become First Muslim U.S. Attorney. 2021-03-26. Rutgers Law. en.
  34. News: . Gasorski . Briana . Dawn Ison is the first Black woman U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan . The Arab American News . 25 December 2021 . 3 .
  35. Web site: Assistant US Attorney Ella Mae Backus: "A most important figure in the legal profession in the Western District of Michigan". Stevens. Ruth S.. 2016. Grand Valley State University ScholarWorks@GVSU.
  36. News: The judge who let survivors speak. 2018-01-24. BBC News. 2018-12-07. en-GB.
  37. Web site: Emelia Christine Schaub (1891–1995). Michigan Hall of Fame.
  38. Web site: Michigan Legal Milestones: 19. Emelia Schaub. www.michbar.org. 2020-02-27.
  39. News: Meet Rashida Tlaib, who is poised to become the first Muslim woman elected to Congress. Schallhorn. Kaitlyn. 2018-08-08. Fox News. 2018-10-01. en-US.
  40. Web site: Julia Donovan Darlow: Women in the Law 2010. Levy. Douglas. 2010-08-27. Michigan Lawyers Weekly. en-US. 2019-01-02.
  41. Web site: CHOOSING TO LEAD, CHOSEN TO LEAD: THE PATH TO BAR LEADERSHIP POWER FOR WOMEN IN MICHIGAN. Welch. Janet. 2012. Michigan State Law Review.
  42. Web site: 2021-08-06 . History . 2022-03-15 . Law School . en.
  43. Web site: Micklow is U.P.'s First Woman Judge. March 1, 1987. Newspapers.com. en. 2019-07-10.
  44. Web site: Women in law, Patricia Micklow. 2019-03-25. WJMN - UPMatters.com. en-US. 2020-02-27.
  45. Web site: Allegan General HospitalAllegan General Hospital Awards Three Extraordinary Women in the Community at Girls' Night Out. www.aghosp.org. en. 2018-02-12.
  46. News: Bay County's first female judge, Karen Tighe, retiring from Probate Court bench after 20 years. MLive.com. 2018-01-04. en-US.
  47. Web site: A trip back in time. SWIDWA. JULIE. The Herald Palladium. en. 2019-10-08.
  48. News: Family Court lawyer will serve as first black judge in Berrien County. Writer. MARK HARPER / H-P Staff. The Herald Palladium. 2018-01-12. en.
  49. News: Calhoun County elects first female judge in 54 years. Battle Creek Enquirer. 2018-01-04. en.
  50. Web site: Tomak takes oath as first female District Court judge in Calhoun County. Battle Creek Enquirer. en. 2019-01-10.
  51. Web site: Honorable Susan L. Dobrich. justicespeakersinstitute.com. 20 June 2016 . 2019-06-27.
  52. Web site: Judge Dobrich will oversee 3 Cass courts. SWIDWA. JULIE. The Herald Palladium. en. 2019-06-27.
  53. Web site: 90th District Court: Kerry Zahner Sworn In As Attorney Magistrate for District Court. Winter 2015. Emmet County (Issuu). en. 2019-03-26.
  54. News: Chippewa County mourns passing of Judge Elizabeth Church. Hansen. Connor. WPBN. 2018-01-06. en-US.
  55. Web site: Clare County Review January 2 Page 9. ccr.stparchive.com. 2020-02-27.
  56. News: local history. The Batavian. 2017-10-15. en.
  57. Web site: History. www.gcbalaw.org. 2019-01-06.
  58. News: Grand Traverse County's first female judge is sworn in. WALTON. MICHAEL. December 28, 2012. Traverse City Record-Eagle. en.
  59. Web site: Ithaca Has First Woman Lawyer. December 20, 1894. Newspapers.com. en. 2019-02-27.
  60. Book: The American Lawyer. Smith. Frank Charles. Proctor. Lucien Brock. Chapin. Heman Gerald. Harvey. Richard Selden. 1895. Stumpf & Steurer. en.
  61. Web site: Gratiot County, Michigan. Tucker. Willard D.. 1913. Michigan County Histories.
  62. She was referred to as "Mrs. W.A. Leet" in several sources.
  63. Web site: 2023-03-06 . Laura Bever to become Gratiot first female prosecutor . 2024-06-15 . The Morning Sun . en-US.
  64. Web site: Women's History Month: Celebrating Lansing's pioneers. Lansing State Journal. en. 2018-12-27.
  65. Web site: First Woman as Ingham county Prosecutor. Stewart. Danny. 99.1 WFMK. 4 August 2016 . en. 2019-06-27.
  66. Web site: Kaminski . Kyle . From success to shame — and back again . 2020-01-27 . City Pulse . 24 October 2018 . en.
  67. Web site: Jackson County Prosecutor Jerry Jarzynka names Kati Rezmierski his chief assistant prosecutor. 2013-09-19. mlive. en. 2020-02-27.
  68. Web site: Smith Haughey celebrates Women's History Month. www.shrr.com. 2017-09-26.
  69. Web site: Estranged husband kills judge in her chambers. October 20, 1988. cdnc.ucr.edu. 2019-02-26.
  70. Web site: NO ACCEPTABLE EXCUSE FOR MURDER. Group. Ellen Goodman, The Boston Globe Newspaper Company-Washington Post Writers. chicagotribune.com. 28 May 1989 . en-US. 2019-02-26.
  71. Web site: Natalia Koselka praised in final session of judicial career. Pelham. Dennis. The Daily Telegram - Adrian, MI. en. 2019-03-04.
  72. News: Tamaris Henagan-Sprow is first African-American attorney in Adrian. Huhman. Lonnie. The Daily Telegram. 2018-01-11. en.
  73. Web site: District Court judge throws her hat into ring for new Circuit Court position. Post. The Livingston. 2018-02-15. en-US. 2019-04-12.
  74. News: Macomb to get first black judge. 2018-01-12. en.
  75. Web site: 2023-11-07 . "Aggressive yet fair": First woman appointed as Marquette Co. Prosecutor . 2023-11-09 . WJMN - UPMatters.com . en-US.
  76. Web site: A Mason-Lake first: Susan Sniegowski takes oath as county's first female judge. Klevorn. Patti. Shoreline Media Group. 23 December 2014 . en. 2018-12-08.
  77. News: Influential Women: Patricia Costello. Kisonas. Ray. Monroe News. 2018-01-06. en.
  78. Web site: Patricia Costello (1928-2018). Toledo Blade. en. 2018-12-07.
  79. Web site: THOMPSON, Ruth US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives. history.house.gov. en. 2017-10-14.
  80. Book: Wasniewski, Matthew Andrew. Women in Congress, 1917–2006. registration. 289. first female lawyer in county california.. 2006. Government Printing Office. 9780160767531. en.
  81. Web site: Detroit-area judge says 'Supreme Court needs me'. Associated Press. MLive.com. 3 October 2010 . en-US. 2019-01-17.
  82. Web site: Jessica R. Cooper Prosecutor. www.oakgov.com. en-US. 2020-02-27.
  83. Web site: Ottawa County courts piloting robot greeter. Gamble. Audra. Holland Sentinel. en. 2018-12-08.
  84. Web site: Virtual Investiture Ceremony for Juanita Bocanegra. 2021-08-11. Ottawa County, Michigan. en.
  85. Web site: Brickley Van Buren's first female judge Leader Publications. www.leaderpub.com. 15 April 2012 . 2018-02-09.
  86. Web site: Washtenaw's first female judge dies at age 70 > Washtenaw County Legal News. legalnews.com. 2018-01-06.
  87. Book: Michigan Women: Firsts and Founders. Harley. Rachel Brett. MacDowell. Betty. 1992. Michigan Womens Studies Assn Incorporated. 9780961939014. en.
  88. Book: Harley. Rachel B.. Michigan Women: Firsts and Founder. registration. MacDowell. Betty. 1995. Michigan Women's Studies Association. 978-0-9619390-2-1. en.
  89. Web site: Martha Strickland Clark (1853 - 1935). Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.
  90. Web site: Los Angeles Herald 16 December 1914 — California Digital Newspaper Collection. cdnc.ucr.edu. 2019-02-26.
  91. Book: Littlejohn. Edward J.. Black Lawyers, Law Practice, and Bar Associations--1844 to 1970: A Michigan History. Hobson. Donald L.. 1987. Wolverine Bar Association. en.
  92. Crump-Gibson . Jehan . May 2018 . A Tribute to Firsts: Black Female Lawyers in Michigan . Michigan Bar Journal.
  93. Web site: Kym Worthy: The Toughest Woman In Detroit. Essence. en-US. 2019-06-27.
  94. Web site: Echartea first Latino appointed 36th District Court magistrate > Detroit Legal News. legalnews.com. 2019-01-17.
  95. Web site: Recognizing diversity and inclusion at Third Circuit Court: Arab American Heritage Month > Detroit Legal News . 2023-12-19 . legalnews.com.
  96. Web site: Benavides-Colón . Amelia . University of Detroit Mercy law school names professor as dean . 2022-03-15 . The Detroit News . en-US.