LANSING (WWJ) – Kyra Harris Bolden will become the first Black woman on the Michigan Supreme Court, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday.
In January Whitmer will appoint Bolden to fill the seat left vacant by Justice Bridget Mary McCormack, who announced back in September she will be resigning to become president and CEO of the non-profit, New York-based American Arbitration Association-International Centre for Dispute Resolution.
Democrats maintained a 4-3 majority on the state’s High Court in this month’s election, and Bolden will succeed the Democrat-nominated McCormack.
Justices Richard Bernstein and Brian Zahra won re-election, while Bolden narrowly missed out, but will be appointed to replace McCormack.
Prior to her election as a state representative, Bolden, from Southfield, worked as a civil litigation attorney with Lewis & Munday, P.C. in Detroit. She also worked as a staff attorney for Judge John A. Murphy in the 3rd Circuit Court of Wayne County and as a court-appointed criminal defense attorney for the 46th District Court of Southfield.
Whitmer described Bolden as “passionate about the law” and said she will “bring a unique perspective to our high court as a Black woman—and as a new, working mom—that has too long been left out.”
Bolden said she will “ensure equal access to justice, apply the law without fear or favor, and treat all who come before our state’s highest court with dignity and respect.”
“I also know that this moment – becoming the first Black woman to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court – would not be possible without leaders like Judges Shelia Johnson, Debra Nance, Deborah Thomas, Cynthia Stephens, and Denise Langford Morris,” she said, per a press release. “These are the Black women who blazed the path that I seek to follow. I hope that my voice on the Court will inspire future generations to pursue their dreams. I am humbled by this honor, and I am ready to get to work on behalf of all Michiganders.”
Related
