Court seeking candidates for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission

The Michigan Supreme Court is seeking qualified applicants to fill positions on the new Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Michigan Judiciary (DEI Commission), which was created by the adoption of Administrative Order No. 2022-1. Seven positions on the 24-member body are open for individuals from various affinity and/or special purpose bar associations (four) and community members who have contacts with the justice system (three). The remaining Commission members will represent an interdisciplinary, wide range of stakeholders—courts, professional associations, advocacy groups, and law schools. The DEI Commission application website (https://www.research.net/r/RF5PDLC) includes the application form, instructions, and all necessary details. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 15.

Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Cynthia Stephens will serve as DEI Commission co-chair with Justice Elizabeth M. Welch. In her concurrence to the order creating the DEI Commission, Welch wrote, “This new Commission will assist the judiciary in recognizing its deficiencies and blind spots as an institution and an employer. It is only with this knowledge that we can begin visualizing and building a court system that is more reflective of and better situated to serve the people of Michigan.”

As noted in the order, the goals of the DEI Commission are to:

• Develop policies and standards to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Assist the judicial branch with elimination of disparities within the justice system.
• Increase participation of members from under-represented communities in judicial branch leadership.
• Assist local courts with implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion plans and processes.
• Collaborate with other judicial branch commissions, governmental entities, and private partners to propose and implement policies aimed at achieving a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive justice system.

To apply for the DEI Commission, visit https://www.research.net/r/RF5PDLC. Anyone with questions about the application may contact Shannon Thelen at ThelenS@courts.mi.gov.