Wayne County

Kimberly Ann Thomas received the nomination from the Michigan Democratic Party to run for this year’s open seat on the Michigan Supreme Court. 

Thomas is a graduate of Harvard Law School and a trial and appellate lawyer. She is currently a law professor at the University of Michigan Law School, where she directs the Juvenile Justice Clinic. Thomas has served on the bipartisan Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform, which works to improve our state’s juvenile justice system. Prior to her work at the University of Michigan Law School, Thomas received a U.S. Fulbright Scholar award and taught at the University College Cork School of Law in Cork, Ireland.

According to her campaign website, Thomas’ priorities, if elected to the Michigan Supreme Court, include a dedication to upholding the rule of law, equal access to justice for all Michiganders, and bringing forth a voice of integrity and fairness.

Thomas has received endorsements from labor unions, judicial organizations, political parties, issue advocacy groups, current and former justices and judges, and elected officials.. 

For more information about Kimberly Ann Thomas, including a full list of endorsements, please visit her website at electkimberlythomas.com. 
 

Andrew Fink received the nomination from the Michigan Republican Party to run for this year’s open seat on the Michigan Supreme Court.

Fink is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. He currently serves as a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives for the 35th District, where he is vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Fink has been a judge advocate in the United States Marine Corps, and has worked in private practice at Fink and Fink. He has been appointed to the Michigan Commission on Uniform State Laws and as a commissioner-at-large for the State Bar of Michigan.

According to his campaign website, Fink’s priorities, if elected to the Michigan Supreme Court, include an originalist interpretation of the law, upholding Constitutional rights, and ensuring that duty and honor are held in high esteem within our judiciary.

Fink has received endorsements from business groups, current and former elected officials, law enforcement officials, and community leaders.

For more information about Andrew Fink, including a full list of endorsements, please visit his website at finkformichigan.com.

Incumbent Justice Kyra Harris Bolden was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court by Governor Whitmer in 2022, making her the first Black woman to serve on the Court. She is seeking to retain her seat for the remainder of the term that was vacated by Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack. She has been nominated by the Michigan Democratic Party.

Justice Bolden is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Prior to her appointment to the bench, she worked as a criminal defense and civil litigation attorney. She also served as a Democratic member of the Michigan House of Representatives for the 35th District, where. she sat on the House Judiciary Committee.

According to her campaign website, if reelected to the Michigan Supreme Court, Justice Bolden will remain committed to ensuring equal access to justice, applying the law without fear or favor, and treating all who come before our state’s highest court with dignity and respect.

Justice Bolden has received endorsements from labor unions, judicial organizations, local political parties, and issue advocacy groups..

For more information about Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, including a full list of her endorsements, please visit her official campaign website at boldenforjustice.com.

Judge Patrick William O’Grady was nominated by the Michigan Republican Party to challenge incumbent Justice Kyra Harris Bolden for the partial term seat on the Michigan Supreme Court.

Judge O’Grady is a graduate of Thomas M. Cooley Law School and currently serves on the 15th Circuit Court in Branch County. He has judicial experience presiding over both criminal and civil cases. Prior to his time on the bench, Judge O’Grady served in the U.S. Army Reserve and worked as a state trooper and assistant prosecutor.

According to his campaign website, Judge O’Grady’s priorities, if elected to the Michigan Supreme Court, include an adherence to the rule of law and a commitment to safeguarding families, individual rights, and upholding the integrity of the State of Michigan.

Judge O’Grady has received endorsements from business groups, former justices, former elected officials and candidates, and community leaders.

For more information about Judge Patrick William O’Grady, including a full list of endorsements, please visit his official campaign website at judgeogrady4supremecourt.com.

Ron L. Haywood is running for one of two open seats on the Wayne County Probate Court.

Haywood is an administrative hearing officer with the Department of Appeals and Hearings for the City of Detroit. Prior to this role, he worked as a prosecutor for Wayne County and served as an officer in the United States Army Reserves. He also currently participates as a Moot Court Judge.

According to his campaign website, Haywood believes in justice and fairness for all and that justice is the most important duty, which he will continue to prioritize if elected to the Wayne County Probate Court.

Haywood has received endorsements from labor unions, local political parties and groups, and elected officials.

For more information about Ron L. Haywood, including a full list of endorsements, please visit his campaign website at haywoodisgood.com.

Todd E. Briggs is running for one of two open seats on the Wayne County Probate Court.

Briggs is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law. He is currently a partner at Briggs Colegrove, P.C. Briggs has worked as a mediator for the 36th District Court (City of Detroit), an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau, and an EEO investigator for the U.S. Postal Service.

According to his campaign website, if elected to the Wayne County Probate Court, Briggs will ensure that every case is handled with the utmost integrity, compassion and respect, and will create a court environment where families feel supported and confident that their concerns are being addressed with the highest level of care and professionalism.

Briggs has received endorsements from judicial organizations and current and former judges.

For more information about Todd E. Briggs, including a full list of endorsements, please visit his campaign website at briggs4judge.com.

Daniel Lawrence Mercier is running for one of two open seats on the Wayne County Probate Court.

Mercier is a graduate of Nova Southeastern in southern Florida. He is currently an attorney at Mercier Legal, focused on several areas of practice, including criminal defense, family law, civil litigation, and real estate law.

Mercier does not have a campaign website.

John Larkin is running for an open seat on the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County.

Larkin is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy Law School. He currently practices law at the Law Office of John Larkin, PC. Throughout his career, he has litigated a wide range of civil and criminal cases.
According to his campaign website, if elected to the 3rd Circuit Court, Larkin will bring fairness and impartiality; preparedness, professionalism, and predictability; legal expertise and experience; and a willingness to listen.

Larkin has received endorsements from labor unions, judicial organizations, judges, and elected officials.
For more information about John Larkin, including a full list of endorsements, please visit his campaign website at larkin4judge.com.

Adrienne G. Scruggs is running for an open seat on the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County.
Scruggs is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. She currently serves as a referee at the 22nd Circuit Court in Washtenaw County. Prior to this role, Scruggs her own legal practice, focusing on criminal, family, and civil law matters. She also gained experience working as a judicial attorney in Wayne County’s 3rd Circuit Court Civil Division.
According to her campaign website, if elected to the 3rd Circuit Court, Scruggs will prioritize community engagement; accessibility of services; civil justice reform and access to civil services; continuing criminal justice reforms; responsible court administration; and setting courtroom expectations.
Scruggs has received endorsements from labor unions, local political parties, issue advocacy groups, current and former judges, elected officials, and community leaders.
For more information about Adrienne G. Scruggs, including a full list of endorsements, please visit her campaign website at scruggsforjudge.com.

James Joseph Jolly is running for an open seat on the 16th District Court in Wayne County, City of Livonia.

Jolly is a graduate of the University of Detroit School of Law. He is currently serving as a Livonia City Council Member. He is also serving as Assistant University Counsel and Associate Provost at Lawrence Technological University, as an attorney at Fausone and Grysko, PLC, and as an Assistant City Attorney and prosecutor for the City of Westland. Prior to these current roles, he served as Magistrate of the 16th District Court.

According to his campaign website, if elected to the 16th District Court, Jolly will ensure fairness and impartiality; ethics and integrity; access to justice; efficiency and court administration; community engagement and outreach; criminal justice; victims’ rights and restorative justice; and education and outreach.

Jolly has received endorsements from labor unions, judges, current and former elected officials, law enforcement officials and organizations, and community leaders.

For more information about James Joseph Jolly, including a full list of endorsements, please visit his campaign website at electjimjolly.com.

Robin Marie Persiconi is running for an open seat on the 16th District Court in Wayne County, City of Livonia.

Persiconi is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. She founded the Law Office of Robin Persiconi that specializes in criminal defense, family law, and landlord/tenant matters. While maintaining her practice, she also began working as an assistant prosecuting attorney for the Townships of Canton, Northville, and Plymouth.

According to her campaign website, if elected to the 16th District Court, Persiconi will embody the experience, integrity, and commitment necessary to serve the judiciary and the community with distinction.

Persiconi has received endorsements from labor unions, issue advocacy groups, law enforcement organizations, current and former judges, current and former elected officials, prosecutors, and community leaders.

For more information about Robin Marie Persiconi, including a full list of endorsements, please visit her campaign website at electrobinforjudge.com.

Judge Victoria I. Shackelford is running for reelection to the 23rd District Court in Wayne County, City of Taylor.

Judge Shackelford is a graduate of the University of Toledo School of Law and currently serves as Chief Judge of the 23rd District Court. Prior to taking the bench, she spent a decade working as an attorney for indigent defendants and was on the treatment court team at the 33rd District Court. She also worked as a Wayne County Prosecutor.

According to her campaign website, if reelected to the 23rd District Court, Judge Shackelford is committed to improving the relationship between the judiciary and the community.

Judge Shackelford has received endorsements from labor unions, current and former judges, current and former electors officials, law enforcement officials, and prosecutors.

For more information about Judge Victoria I. Shackelford, including a full list of endorsements, please visit her campaign website at judgevictoriashackelford.com.

Michael I. Tinney is challenging the incumbent judge for a seat on the 23rd District Court in Wayne County, City of Taylor.

Tinney is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He has served as an Administrative Law Judge for the State of Michigan, overseeing and deciding cases involving Unemployment Insurance Appeals. Prior to this role, Tinney worked as an Assistant Prosecutor in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and was assigned to the General Trials Unit. He served on Taylor’s Board of Ethics and was elected by the Board to be the Chairman Pro Tem.

According to his campaign website, if elected to the 23rd District Court, Tinney’s vision for Taylor includes: a fair and impartial approach to the bench; expanding access to the court; protection of the Constitution; improving relationships between the community, the court, and law enforcement agencies; and breaking down legal barriers for indigent civil and criminal litigants.

Tinney has received endorsements from labor unions, judges, current and former elected officials, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders.

For more information about Michael I. Tinney, including a full list of endorsements, please visit his campaign website at tinneyforjudge.com.

Robert Patrick Coutts is running for an open seat on the 34th District Court in Wayne County, City of Romulus.

Coutts is a graduate of the University of Toledo School of Law. He is the owner of the Law Offices of Robert P. Coutts. He is a former District and Circuit Court Case Evaluator and former Assistant City Attorney for multiple municipalities.

On his campaign Facebook page, if elected to the 34th District Court, Coutts will bring experience, integrity, and a commitment to service in the community to the bench.

Coutts has received endorsements from judges, elected officials, law enforcement officials, and community leaders.

For more information about Robert Patrick Coutts, please visit his campaign Facebook page at Coutts4Judge.

Teresa Patton is running for an open seat on the 34th District Court in Wayne County, City of Romulus.

Patton is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. She is currently Director of the Regional Managed Assigned Counsel Office, serving the indigent defense population in Wayne County’s District Courts. Patton was previously a private attorney at Patton Law Group, an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney at the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, and Legal Director of the non-profit, Safe Assurance, Inc.

According to her campaign website, if elected to the 34th District Court, Patton commits to delivering justice with legal wisdom, fairness, integrity, equality and impartiality with a judicial temperament of patience, attentiveness, dignity and courtesy for all.

Patton has received endorsements from labor unions, judges, elected officials, and community leaders.

For more information about Teresa Patton, including a full list of endorsements, please visit his campaign website at teresapatton4judge.com.

Carl Joseph Barone is running for an open seat on the 35th District Court in Wayne County, City of Plymouth.

Barone is a graduate of Thomas M. Cooley Law School and Wayne State University Law School. Barone is a private practice attorney and owner of Barone Law Offices, PLC. He has experience practicing in district and circuit courts and appears regularly at the 35th District Court.

According to his campaign website, if elected to the 35th District Court, Barone will bring a proven track record of legal experience and a strong commitment to the local community.

Barone has received endorsements from labor unions, current and former judges, elected officials, prosecutors, and community leaders.

For more information about Carl Joseph Barone, including a full list of endorsements, please visit his campaign website at baroneforjudge.com.

Michael T. Woodward is running for an open seat on the 35th District Court in Wayne County, City of Plymouth.

Woodward is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. He is currently a Staff Attorney at Neighborhood Defender Service of Detroit, the public defender’s office in Wayne County. Prior to this role, he served as an Assistant Prosecutor in Wayne County in the Domestic Violence Unit in Detroit’s 36th District Court, in the Child Abuse Unit, and in the Public Integrity Unit. Woodward is also owner of his own law firm, specializing in criminal defense and family law.

According to his campaign website, if elected to the 35th District Court, Woodward will bring the experience, values, and leadership needed to the role.

Woodward has received endorsements from labor unions, judicial organizations, local political parties, issue advocacy groups, current and former judges, elected officials, and community leaders.

For more information about Michael T. Woodward, including a full list of endorsements, please visit his campaign website at ilikemike.law.

Andrea J. Bradley-Baskin is running for one of two open seats on the 36th District Court in Wayne County, City of Detroit.

Bradley-Baskin is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She currently serves as the general counsel for the 36th District Court. Prior to this role, Bradley-Baskin was an Administrative Law Judge for the State of Michigan and City of Detroit; was a law clerk to Governor Granholm and Wayne County Corporation Council; and founded a law firm. She is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

According to her campaign website, if elected to the 36th District Court, Bradley-Baskin will use her values of fairness, integrity, and equality guide her every step, ensuring that justice prevails for all.

Bradley-Baskin has received endorsements from labor unions, judicial organizations, local political parties, issue advocacy groups, and current and former justices and judges.

For more information about Andrea J. Bradley-Baskin, including a full list of endorsements, please visit her campaign website at bradleybaskin4judge.com.

Malaika Ramsey-Heath is running for one of two open seats on the 36th District Court in Wayne County, City of Detroit.

Ramsey-Heath is a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law and currently serves as a Magistrate at the 36th District Court. Prior to this role, she joined Community Legal Resources as the Director of the Detroit Vacant Property Campaign, started her own private law practice, and worked as an appellate level public defender. Ramsey-Heath has served as a board member of Michigan Legal Services.

According to her campaign website, Ramsey-Heath’s mission, if elected to the 36th District Court, includes promoting equality, providing opportunities that lead to a better future, and ensuring that justice and fairness are upheld for all members of the community.

Ramsey-Heath has received endorsements from labor unions and local political parties.

For more information about Malaika Ramsey-Heath, please visit her campaign website at malaikaramseyheath.com.

William Burton is running for one of two open seats on the 36th District Court in Wayne County, City of Detroit.

Burton is a graduate of Washington & Lee University School of Law and is currently a Magistrate at the 36th District Court. Prior to this role, he served as a Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor in downtown Detroit.

According to his campaign website, Burton has developed a reputation as a fair Assistant Prosecutor, searching for the truth and seeking justice rather than just pursuing convictions, which he will continue to do if elected to the 36th District Court.

Burton has received endorsements from labor unions, judicial organizations, and judges.

For more information about William Burton, including a full list of endorsements, please visit his campaign website at burton4judge.net.