Thursday Profile: Chris Easthope

 Christopher Easthope was elected to the 15th Judicial District Court bench for the term beginning January 1, 2009.  He presides over criminal and traffic cases.  In October 2012, Easthope started the Washtenaw County Veteran's Treatment Court to serve the particular needs of the increasing veteran population appearing in criminal courts.  

Easthope graduated from Western Michigan University in 1990 and from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1995.   Before being elected, he served on the Ann Arbor City Council from 2000 to 2008, and was Mayor Pro Tem. He also operated the Law Office of Christopher Easthope, and formerly practiced law for the firms of Hamilton, MacDonald & Simpson and Roberts & Freatman.
Easthope is a member of the State Bar Association, the Washtenaw County Bar Association, the Michigan District Judges Association and the American Judges Association where he is a member of the Board of Governors.
By Jo Mathis
Legal News
 
Residence: Ann Arbor.
 
Currently reading …    “Fourth and Long: The Fight for the Soul of College Football” by John U. Bacon. 
 
What is your most treasured material possession? Pictures of my children and family - every other material thing is replaceable. 
 
What advice do you have for someone considering law school?  “Don't go just because you don't know what you want to do. And find someone to pay for you!”
 
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be? Running for Congress.
 
Favorite local hangouts: The Fleetwood Diner, The West End Grill, most coffee shops and The Vault of Midnight with my kids.
 
Favorite websites:  NYTimes, Detroit Freep, The Daily Show, YouTube, The Huffington Post and PowerSchool.
 
Your proudest moment as a lawyer? Being sworn in as a lawyer and sworn in as a judge with my kids there to see it.
 
What is your happiest childhood memory? Playing junior football and going up north during the summers. 
 
Which things do you not like to do? Getting up before sunrise in the winter. 
 
What would surprise people about your job? The black robe is not slimming.
 
What do you wish someone would invent?  A transporter like the one used in Star Trek so I could be on a beach immediately after putting my snow shovel down. 
 
If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be? Tom Brady.
 
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you have visited? The Grand Canyon.
 
What’s your greatest achievement? Raising two well- adjusted young boys (so far!)
 
If you could have one super power, what would it be? Mind control.
 
What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Less time in the gym and more time in the library — and ask out every cute girl you meet.
 
What one thing do you wish people knew about your work? The judges and court staff I work with are amazing and dedicated people who really care about making a difference in people's lives. 
 
Favorite joke: Judges aren’t allowed to have a sense of humor. I think I read that in the Professional Canons somewhere. 
 
What words do you overuse? “Dude” and “concerned.”
 
Must-see TV: Detroit Lions Football- can be a comedy or tragedy; The Walking Dead; The Daily Show and Family Guy.
 
What’s your biggest regret? Not joining the military, and only being 5-foot-10.
 
What is something most people don’t know about you? I coach football and teach a class at EMU.
 
If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? Alexander Hamilton, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Elizabeth Hurley.
 
Favorite CD: “Crash” by Dave Matthews.
 
Favorite law-related movies:   “Philadelphia” and “Michael Clayton.”
 
What’s the best advice you ever received? “Don't be an a%#hole.”
 
Where will you not return if you can help it? City Council.
 

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