Judge Kurtis Wilder appointed to Michigan Supreme Court

Judge Kurtis T. Wilder of the Michigan Court of Appeals was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court by Gov. Rick Snyder.


Judge Wilder, of Canton, fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Justice Robert P. Young.

“Judge Wilder has long demonstrated his keen intellect, his ability to navigate complex legal issues and his aptitude for forming consensus on the court,” Snyder said. “As a veteran judge of more than two decades, Judge Wilder is committed to the rule of law and the proper role of the judiciary. He is a superb addition to our highest court and I am certain he will continue the Michigan Supreme Court’s reputation of excellence.”

Prior to being appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals, Judge Wilder served as Chief Judge of the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. Before taking the bench, Judge Wilder was in private practice at prominent Michigan law firms Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith P.C. in Lansing, and Butzel Long P.C. in Detroit. He earned both his law and undergraduate degrees from the University of Michigan.

Judge Wilder is a member of the State Bar of Michigan; the Fellows of the Michigan State Bar Foundation; the Michigan Judges Association; the Association of Black Judges of Michigan; the Federalist Society, Board of Advisors, Michigan Chapter; and the Wolverine Bar Association.

Recognizing Judge Wilder’s abilities, the Michigan Supreme Court and the State Bar of Michigan have tapped him numerous times to participate in or lead committees and workgroups.

In addition to his service in the legal community, Judge Wilder is also actively involved in other community and nonprofit organizations. He is a life-member of the Detroit Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; he serves on the Board of Directors of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Judge Wilder is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Interlochen Center for the Arts; Walsh College’s President’s Advisory Council; the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan; the American Heart Association and many other organizations.

Supreme Court justices serve eight-year terms. Incoming Justice Wilder will be eligible for election to a full eight-year term in November of 2018.
Wilder has two children, Alycia, aged 29, and Klif, aged 22.

Under Article VI, Section 23 of the state constitution, the appointment belongs to the governor alone and is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

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