Judge Phyllis C. McMillen was sworn in Thursday, Sept. 30, as the newest circuit judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Oakland County. Her investiture was held in the Board of Commissioners Auditorium at the Oakland County Complex, 1200 North Telegraph Road in Pontiac. Circuit Court Chief Judge Nanci Grant presided over the ceremony and administered the oath of office.
“Judge McMillen is a welcome addition to the bench,“ said Grant. “Her judicial experience and well earned reputation of being fair and even temperament will be an asset to us all. Oakland County will be well served with Judge McMillen in the Circuit Court.”
McMillen was appointed by Governor Granholm to fill a vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Mark Goldsmith to the U.S. District Court. She is assigned to the Civil/Criminal Division of the Circuit Court and assumes the docket of Goldsmith.
“I am honored by Governor Granholm’s confidence in my abilities as a judge, and look forward to serving the citizens of Oakland County,” stated McMillen.
McMillen received her Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Before taking the circuit bench, McMillen served as district court judge for the 51st Judicial District in Waterford for 15 years. Positions held by McMillen were that of chief judge in 1998 and 2007 and chief judge pro tempore in 1995, 1997, 2008, and 2010.
Two intensive treatment and judicial supervision programs were initiated by McMillen during her tenure with the district court: the Sobriety Court for persons charged with drinking and driving offenses and the Specialized Domestic Violence Docket for persons charged with domestic violence, in addition to the Mental Health Initiative that helps courts understand how to work with persons in the judicial system suffering from mental health disorders.
McMillen began the practice of taking actual court proceedings and video presentations into schools with Court in the Schools and dialoguing with students concerning critical choices, and introduced elementary students to the judicial system of justice through the Open Court program that invites students into the courtroom to learn about the Constitution and the court process.
Prior to becoming a judge, she was made partner with the law firm of Schmidt Isgrigg and McMillen, where she specialized in civil and criminal litigation during her 12 years with the firm, and served as the director of training and litigation with Legal Services of Eastern Michigan in her years of service with them from 1977 - 1982. McMillen has been admitted to the State Bar of Michigan, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
With a commitment to her community, McMillen fulfilled numerous leadership roles in various professional associations, including the Michigan District Judges Association (president-2006, vice president-2005), Oakland County District Judges Association (president-2001, vice president-2000), Michigan Association of Drug Court Professionals (vice president-2009 to present; chair, Annual Training Conference 2005 to present), and Oakland County Bar Association (master, Inn of Court-1998 to 2000; chair, Bench Bar Conference; chair, Criminal Committee, Bench Bar Conference-1997). She has also been actively involved in the Waterford Coalition for Youth, Boys Scouts of America, Waterford Cultural Council, American Association of University Women, Oakland County Community Corrections Advisory Board, and Oakland County Substance Abuse Services Advisory Council.
McMillen is an adjunct professor with Thomas M. Cooley Law School and on the faculty of the National Drug Court Institute. She is a lecturer with the Michigan Judicial Institute and has authored several publications with the American Bar Association.
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