LANSING – Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kurtis T. Wilder was recently presented with the Association of Black Judges of Michigan (ABJM) “Honorable Harold Hood Award” 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. Judge Hood founded the ABJM in 1979, and the award was established in 2003, following his retirement as Chief Judge Pro Tem of the Michigan Court of Appeals.
In addition, Wilder has been inducted into the Michigan Chronicle “Men of Excellence” Class of 2017. Now in its 10th year, the “Men of Excellence” celebration honors 50 African-American men who inspire others through leadership, exceptional achievement, and public service and serve as examples to all living in Michigan.
“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.”
The 112th Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, Justice Wilder was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder in May to replace retired Justice Robert P. Young, Jr. Prior to his Supreme Court appointment, he spent nearly 20 years as a judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals and previously served as a Washtenaw County trial judge.
Justice Wilder graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Political Science in 1981, and from the University of Michigan Law School with a Juris Doctor degree in 1984. After graduation, practiced law with Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. in Lansing and with Butzel Long, P.C., in Detroit.
Justice 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. He is also the Court’s liaison for issues related to courthouse security.
Justice Wilder 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. He currently serves on the Boards of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, and Interlochen Center for the Arts.
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