Judge Kelley Kostin appointed liaison to the Michigan Tribal State Federal Judicial Forum

Judge Kelley Kostin has accepted an appointment from Justice Megan Cavanagh of the Michigan Supreme Court as the Michigan State Court Liaison to the Michigan Tribal State Federal Judicial Forum.

The Forum was created in 2014 to provide an ongoing venue for judges from all three jurisdictions (tribal, state and federal court systems) to convene jointly in order to improve relations and communication.  The work of the Forum is important to all Michigan citizens because it affects how our court systems best serve Michiganders.  It also addresses ongoing issues regarding jurisdiction among the three courts and how they can function cooperatively, enforcement of orders between them, and the transferring of cases to best serve the parties.

Kostin was elected to the 52nd District Court 2nd Division in November of 2004 and took office in January 2005.  She presides over the 52-2 District Court Sobriety Court program and the North Oakland Regional Veteran’s Treatment Court.  She is also working with the other 52nd District Court judges to implement a regional Mental Health Treatment Court.

Kostin is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Oakland County Bar Association, a fellow of the Oakland County Bar Foundation, and currently serves as the vice president of the Oakland County District Judges Association.  She also serves on the Oakland County Community Corrections Advisory Board.

She also is a contributing author to the Institute of Continuing Legal Education publication “Michigan Drunk Driving Law and Practice, fifth Edition.”

Judge Kostin attended the University of Michigan where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics in 1983. She was employed by Ford Motor Company in the Finance Department of the Electrical and Electronics Division prior to attending law school.

Judge Kostin clerked for the Hon. Fred M. Mester of Oakland County Circuit Court while attending the University of Detroit Law School and received her Juris Doctorate in 1991.

She served as an associate in a private law firm for 13 years prior to taking the bench. While in private practice, Judge Kostin also served as a Magistrate for the 52nd District Court.