Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kurtis T. Wilder was recently presented with the Association of Black Judges of Michigan (ABJM) “Honorable Harold Hood Award.” In addition, Wilder has been inducted into the Michigan Chronicle “Men of Excellence” Class of 2017.
“I am thrilled to see Justice Wilder honored for his contributions to the legal field,” said Supreme Court Chief Justice Stephen J. Markman. “He is an outstanding jurist who has spent decades serving the people of Michigan at every level of the judiciary. In addition to being recognized by these organizations, his work is also highly respected and distinguished across the state. Justice Wilder is an inspiration for all who strive to ensure a fair and just judiciary.”
Wilder was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to the Michigan Supreme Court in May to replace retired Justice Robert P. Young, Jr. Prior to his Supreme Court appointment, Wilder spent nearly 20 years as a judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals and previously served as a Washtenaw County trial judge.
Wilder graduated from the University of Michigan with an A.B. degree in Political Science in 1981, and from the University of Michigan Law School with a Juris Doctor degree in 1984. After graduation from law school, Wilder practiced law with the law firms of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. (Lansing) and Butzel Long, P.C., (Detroit).
Wilder holds memberships in the Fellows of the Michigan State Bar Foundation; the Association of Black Judges of Michigan; the Federalist Society, Board of Advisors, Lawyers Division-Michigan Chapter; and the Wolverine Bar Association. He has served as a member of the Model Criminal Jury Instruction Committee, the Family Division Joint Rules Committee, and the Family Court Implementation Task Force. He is a Past President of the Michigan Judges Association, and Past Chairman of the State Bar Judicial Conference. Wilder is also the Court’s liaison for issues related to courthouse security.
Wilder has been active in many civic and philanthropic endeavors during his career. He is a former chair of the State of Michigan Community Corrections Advisory Board, former board chair of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan and Nonprofit Enterprise at Work, former board member of The Sphinx Organization, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Symphony, and American Red Cross, Washtenaw County Chapter. Justice Wilder currently serves on the Boards of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, and Interlochen Center for the Arts. He is an Elder and Chancel Choir member at First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth. Wilder resides in Canton and has two adult children.
The “Honorable Harold Hood Award” was presented to Wilder by outgoing ABJM President Judge Debra Nance, of the 46th Circuit Court in Southfield. The award, named in honor of the late Michigan Court of Appeals judge from Detroit, recognizes an ABJM member who exemplifies integrity and dedication to equal justice. Hood founded the ABJM in 1979, and the award in his name was established in 2003, following his retirement as chief judge pro tem of the Michigan Court of Appeals. Throughout his time on the bench, he was known for his dedication to fairness for all who encountered the legal system. Hood passed away in 2015 at the age of 84, following a battle with leukemia.
Now in its 10th year, the Michigan Chronicle “Men of Excellence” celebration honors 50 African American men who inspire others through leadership, exceptional achievement, and public service. These inductees serve as examples of success to all living in Michigan.
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