Happy New Year!

As we welcome the new year and reflect on our hopes and dreams, this is also an important time to acknowledge the things for which we are grateful. Showing gratitude affects us mentally, physically, and spiritually; and helps us show up in ways we may have otherwise thought could not be possible. Having a gratitude attitude can determine whether you are surviving or thriving. It is imperative that we bring our best selves to every space we must enter, whether in our personal lives or at work. The leadership at Third Circuit Court remains tremendously grateful to each and every one of you for all of your hard work, commitment, and dedication to the people who require our time and services. Together, let’s make this an amazing year!

Judge Charise Anderson

Judge Charise Anderson was elected to the Third Judicial Circuit Court in November 2022 and is assigned to the Criminal Division. She is a former Senior Associate Counsel with the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, the prosecution arm of the Michigan Supreme Court, responsible for the investigation and prosecution of attorney misconduct. Other prior legal experience includes serving as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and as a solo practitioner. Charise has served as an Advisor Member of the State Bar of Michigan Standing Committee on Character and Fitness, as Chair of the District Committee, and as a member of the Board of Ethics for Canton Township.

She graduated from Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan. She attended Hampton University, received her Bachelor of Arts from Wayne State University and her Juris Doctor from WMU-Thomas M. Cooley Law School. 

Judge Anderson is a member of the NAACP, Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, the Detroit Bar Association and the Wolverine Bar Association.

Judge Kiefer J. Cox

Judge Kiefer J. Cox was elected to the Third Judicial Circuit Court in November 2022 and is assigned to the Criminal Division. Judge Cox graduated from Central Michigan University in 2011 and received a J.D. from Wayne State University Law School in 2015. He began his career as an associate attorney at Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss PC where he practiced commercial litigation.  In 2018, he became an Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor where he prosecuted cases involving non-fatal shootings as part of the Community Prosecutions Unit. Judge Cox then joined the Sexual Assault Team where he prosecuted cases involving criminal sexual conduct throughout Wayne County.

Judge John C. Gillis

Judge John C. Gillis was elected to the Third Judicial Circuit Court in November 2022 and is assigned to the Criminal Division.

Prior to his election, Judge Gillis worked for the City of Detroit Law Department serving as Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Criminal Enforcement and Quality of Life Section. Judge Gillis held the responsibility of the prosecuting criminal misdemeanor and traffic offenses at 36th District Court. Additionally, he performed legal research assignments for City departments such as the Detroit Police Department; Building, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED), and Detroit Animal Care and Control.

Judge Gillis also held the position of Associate Attorney at Simon PLC prior to working with the City of Detroit. At Simon PLC, he handled civil litigation and probate law cases. In complex civil matters, Judge Gillis served as a court appointed receiver to sell and administer assets to satisfy creditor obligations. In the area of probate law, he served as a court appointed Guardian Ad Litem to review estate administration and accounting. Judge Gillis also represented several national and regional financial institutions in a variety of civil litigation matters.    

Judge Gillis earned his Juris Doctor degree from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, a Master of Business Administration from University of Michigan-Flint, and a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Gillis served as a pro bono attorney for the City of Detroit Project Clean Slate and also served on the Executive Board of UAW Local 2211. 

Judge Nicholas Hathaway

Judge Nicholas Hathaway was elected to the Third Judicial Circuit Court in November 2022 and is assigned to the Criminal Division. 

Judge Hathaway attended Wayne State University and received his BS in 2002. He attended the University of Detroit Law School and received his JD in 2005. He worked as an assistant prosecutor in Wayne County from 2005-2009. Judge Hathaway worked as a Family Division Referee from 2009 until being elected in Nov. 2022. He resides in Grosse Pointe Park and is married to Judge Dana Hathaway and has three children: Riley, Mackenzie, and William.

Judge Regina Triplett

Judge Regina Triplett was elected to the Third Judicial Circuit Court in November 2022 and is assigned to the Family Division – Domestic Relations. She was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. She is a Grosse Pointe Woods resident. She has successfully and zealously represented clients in Wayne County for over 16 years in the areas of Bankruptcy, Family Law, Civil Litigation, and Criminal Defense.

Judge Triplett earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana (1992) and worked as a Chemical Laboratory Analyst for 10 years. Thereafter, she received her Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern (2004).

In the past, Judge Triplett had the honor of serving as the elected vice president to the Wayne County Criminal Defense Bar. She has spent her entire career ensuring the scales of justice are balanced.

Judge Triplett has a son (Joshua) and a puppy (Nugget). She is looking forward to serving the residents of Wayne County.

FOC End of Year Celebration

The Friend of the Court staff celebrated the end of 2022 with a week full of food, fun and festivities. Each day of the week staff were encouraged to wear designated apparel – team spirit, mismatch, twin, color block and ugly sweater. Each day there were three random raffle drawings for gift card prizes from The Giving Tree. Staff joined together for “Reindeer Games” over Zoom to play Incoherent and Taboo. New this year was a rainbow themed door decorating contest won by Case Establishment, earning a pizza party for the department. And always a favorite was the ugly sweater contest. The top three ugly sweater winners this year were Torrece Simpson (1^st place), Janice Cooks (2^nd place) and Jonn Walinske (3^rd place). 

2022 was yet another difficult year dealing with COVID, backlogs and staffing challenges. Nevertheless, the Friend of the Court staff continue to persevere and strive to improve. The families of Wayne County are better for your passionate and loyal service.

A special thanks to the Family Domestic judges for their generous sponsorship of this event in recognition and appreciation of all the hard work the staff at the Friend of the Court do all year long. 

• Red – Information Services and Legal Department
• Orange – Family Assessment Services
• Green – Case Establishment
• Blue – Order Entry
• Pink – FOC Executive Office

Judge Chandra Baker-Robinson was the keynote speaker for the Family Assistance for Renaissance Men. The men successfully completed a 10-week curriculum where they received Father Accountability Mentorship, Workforce Development Training, Legal and Child Support Assistance, and much more. Judge Baker-Robinson stated, “It was also especially emotional for me because two of the graduates were people that I sent to the program as part of their probation. They came up to me during the program and thanked me for sending them to a program that changed their lives instead of just trying to incarcerate them.”

In mid-December, MATCP contacted Veteran’s Court Coordinator, John Marra, United States Army Veteran, to advise him that he had been selected as the recipient of the MATCP Hero Award. John will be acknowledged and presented with the award at the 23^rd Annual MATCP Conference, February 28, 2023 in Grand Rapids, MI.

Veteran’s Treatment Court Supervising Judge Deborah A. Thomas nominated John for the Hero Award. Questions asked on the nomination forms were, ‘whether there was someone on the Specialty Court team that is a standout team player?’ ‘Does this person continually go above and beyond for the program?’ And, ‘Is this person extremely passionate about the program and their participants?’

Without question, John Marra is the ultimate example of one who models these traits.

Based upon the heartfelt submission by Judge Thomas, John Marra was awarded the Hero Award. Some of the sentiment expressed in her nomination included:

“I am nominating John Marra for several reasons. As a United States Army Veteran, who honorably served our country, he embodies the Army creed of "I will always place the mission first; I will never accept defeat; I will never quit; and I will NEVER leave a fallen comrade behind.

What he learned in the Army, has been transferable to his career with the Court and the program.

John makes himself available to the participants, well beyond working hours if it's a matter that needs his attention. Whether it's helping a Veteran in crisis who needs someone to talk to, or a Veteran struggling with homelessness and needs immediate placement.

John has aligned himself with numerous community resources to ensure the participants needs are met.

He works tirelessly with the Defense Counsel and Prosecutor's Office to ensure participants have a vested interest in obtaining some legal benefit upon successful completion of the program. His efforts help restore their dignity and allows them to have a second chance in society.

In addition, what makes John so special is that he too is a combat-Veteran. He has experienced firsthand some of the hardships of trying to adjust to civilian life again. He is able to understand and help identify triggers that the participants may have in their daily lives. He understands how to maneuver through the Veterans Administration healthcare system to ensure participants receive the services they need and to advocate for them.”

Judge Thomas further stated, “For these reasons, I am nominating John for this award. It is not often that you get to work with a real-life hero.”

MATCP will conduct a short video interview with John and Judge Deborah Thomas which will be aired at the MATCP conference in 2023.

John’s commitment and passion for working to help others is a shining example for all to follow. Congratulations, John. Thank you for all that you do.

Upcoming Events

Walk MS Detroit, an event benefitting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, which will take place on May 7, 2023, at Milliken State Park in Detroit, MI. The event opens at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10:00 a.m. A link to the event is found here:

Event Walk MS: Detroit 2023 (donordrive.com)

All attendees are invited to walk with Team FAMS, the team led by Julie Hirsch, Judicial Attorney to Judge Alexis A. Glendening, whose 21-year-old daughter lives with MS.

A link to Team FAMS can be found here: FAMS- Families Fighting Against MS - Fundraising For National MS Society (donordrive.com).

THE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION CALENDAR

The Third Circuit Court Diversity and Inclusion Team’s Mission: "We appreciate our common connection and respect our diverse and unique human experiences. We move forward as an inclusive organization as we provide accessible and equal justice."

The Court’s Diversity & Inclusion Team strives to ensure the values of its diverse bench, staff, and court users are acknowledged and reflected in our delivery of service as well as our work environment.

In that spirit, the team creates and shares a monthly list of various holidays and observations along with some celebration suggestions. We invite our work community and the community at large to contribute.

February 2023