LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Elizabeth Clement is the new chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.
Clement was the unanimous choice of her colleagues on the court. She takes over from Bridget McCormack, who is leaving the court as soon as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, picks a successor.
Supreme Court justices are selected by governors when there’s a vacancy or elected by voters. The additional job of chief justice is determined by members of the court.
Clement was appointed to the court in 2017 by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and elected to an eight-year term in 2018.
The chief justice is the leader of Michigan’s statewide judiciary and has much influence over how courts operate.
“There’s a lot of work outside the opinion work and, frankly, just as important for the judicial branch,” Clement said Monday. “The Supreme Court makes rules that impact all of our trial courts, lawyers and those who interact with the justice system.”
Clement said she expects to remain as chief justice in 2023-24.
She was a key member of a state commission that studied how juveniles are treated in the justice system. Recommendations released in July included alternatives to keeping kids in custody and creation of a statewide public defense system. Lawmakers would need to have a role in many changes.
When Clement was appointed to the high court she was the 11th female justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, replacing Justice Joan Larsen who was appointed to the United States 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Prior to her appointment to the Supreme Court, Clement served as chief legal counsel to Gov. Snyder, focusing on a broad spectrum of legal, legislative and policy initiatives.
As chief legal counsel, Clement served as the governor’s liaison to the Michigan Attorney General on litigation involving the state. Additional responsibilities included negotiating compacts and agreements with Michigan’s Native American Tribes, contract negotiations, and judicial appointments. Prior to serving as chief legal counsel she was cabinet secretary, deputy chief of staff, and deputy legal Counsel.
Prior to service in state government, Clement was in private practice representing individuals in the areas of family law, adoption, probate, estate planning, and criminal law.
A lifelong Michigander, Clement earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Michigan State University in 1999. She received her Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law in 2002.
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