Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) on Wednesday introduced Judge Shalina Kumar and Judge Jane Beckering to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee for a hearing considering their nominations to be federal judges in Michigan. On June 30, President Biden nominated Judge Kumar and Judge Beckering to serve as U.S. District Court judges for the Eastern District and Western District of Michigan, respectively.
If Kumar is confirmed, she would be the first federal judge of South Asian descent in Michigan.
In her introduction, Debbie Stabenow said, “I am excited about these two excellent nominees, and I am confident they are ready and prepared to serve the people of Michigan on the federal bench.”
“It is critical that we have qualified, fair and impartial judges committed to upholding our laws and administering justice in Michigan and across the country. Senator Stabenow and I were proud to recommend both of these fine judges to President Biden,” said Peters. “I know that Judge Beckering and Judge Kumar will serve Michigan and our country well. These two jurists are strong legal minds, who represent the best of their profession and Michigan. I have every confidence that they will be confirmed by the Senate and honorably represent Michigan and our country on the federal bench.”
Kumar has served on the Oakland County Sixth Circuit Court since 2007. She was appointed chief judge of the Circuit Court by the Michigan Supreme Court in January of 2018. In addition to her chief judge duties, Kumar retains a full caseload covering both civil and criminal matters. Throughout her years on the bench,
Kumar has served as a presiding judge of the Adult Treatment Court, the chairperson of the Oakland County Criminal Assignment Committee, the bench liaison to the Oakland County Bar Association Circuit Court Committee, a member of the Michigan State Bar Professionalism Committee, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Michigan Judges’ Association.
Prior to taking the bench, Kumar was a civil litigator in private practice from 1997 to 2007, including as an associate with Weiner & Cox PLC from 2004 to 2007 and Sommers, Schwartz, Silver, & Schwartz PC from 2000 to 2004. Kumar graduated from the University of Michigan in 1993 and the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law in 1996.
Beckering has served on the Michigan Court of Appeals since 2007, where she oversees both civil and criminal proceedings. judge Beckering is the chief judge pro tempore of the court. She is also president-elect of the Grand Rapids Bar Association and previously served on the Michigan Supreme Court Committee on Model Civil Jury Instructions.
Prior to becoming a judge, Beckering was a trial lawyer in private practice for 17 years. She founded the law firm of Buchanan & Beckering PLC in Grand Rapids, primarily focused on representing plaintiffs in civil litigation. She began her law career as an associate with McDermott, Will, & Emery PC in Chicago.
Beckering received her law degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1990 and her B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1987.
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