By Paul Janczewski
Legal News
The inclement weather did not deter several hundred people who came to celebrate the January 11 Investiture of Kathleen A. Ryan as Oakland County Probate Court judge.
In fact, the crowd was a literal “Who’s Who” of past and present county officials, including current and retired Circuit and District Court judges and others.
“It was wonderful, overwhelming, and humbling,” Ryan said.
But for the 41-year-old Ryan, it was also a way to share the moment with family. She was sworn in by her brother, Daniel P. Ryan, a Wayne
County Circuit Court judge. And her father, James L. Ryan, senior judge of the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, made a few remarks.
You couldn’t twirl a black judicial robe without hitting someone named “Judge Ryan.”
Her brother, Jim, sister Colleen, and a cousin also joined in the celebration. One sister-in-law offered a benediction prayer, and Ryan even had an aunt fly in from Texas.
“I kept it nice and intimate, and it was very family oriented,” Ryan said.
The huge gathering prompted Oakland County Chief Probate Judge Linda Hallmark to joke “How many more family members do you have?”
But every time someone mentioned Judge Ryan during their remarks, she thought they were talking about her father or brother.
“It was Judge Ryan this, and Judge Ryan that, and I realized ‘Oh, they’re talking about me,’” she said with a smile.
She said her father credited her with being a hard worker, but his remarks were less about her and more about the respect the position entails.
Ryan said her dad spoke of the honor and privilege that comes with being an elected official, and that serving the public was a huge responsibility.
“My remarks were short,” Ryan said. “I figured people have been inundated by me for the past 11 months, and they didn’t need to hear too much more.”
But Ryan expressed deep thanks and gratitude for all who helped on her “true grass-roots” campaign, those who voted for her, those who endorsed her, and for her family.
“I promised the people that I won’t let them down, and I will always be mindful of the huge responsibility that’s been given to me. I’ll always focus on the morals and integrity of the court, and the respect of the people, and work hard to be the judge they deserve.”
She got a little teary while thanking her husband, Kevin M. Wilhelmi, an immigration lawyer, and their two children, Max and Julie.
Ryan, who lives in Bloomfield Township, won the seat after the retirement of Judge Eugene Moore. She is a graduate of the University of Notre
Dame and the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and spent 14 years in private practice.
Ryan described her winning the judgeship as “a dream come true.” She said she looks forward to working with all her colleagues and said the other judges have been “very welcoming and helpful.”
“And as the new kid on the block, I’ve been coming to the courthouse early to get a jump-start on my day,” Ryan said. “I figure solid preparation is the least I can do to thank the voters and instill confidence in their choice of me.”
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