Investiture installs Ackert as family court judge

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by Cynthia Price
Legal News

Last Thursday’s official investiture of Terence “T.J.” Ackert as a 17th Circuit Court Family Division judge was a celebration for the new judge himself and for his family and friends.

“It’s been a lifelong dream of mine,” said Ackert after he was given the oath of office by good friend and fellow judge G. Patrick Hillary.

Among the 20 or so judges present to wish Ackert well were nearly all of his Circuit Court colleagues, as well as several from the 61st District Court, other Kent County Courts, and from the Court of Appeals. Ackert acknowledge former Judge James Fisher as a mentor.

Due to the nature of Michigan Family Division courts, Judge Ackert will have two “bosses:” Probate Court Chief Judge David Murkowski and 17th Circuit Court Chief Judge Donald Johnston. Judge Murkowski presided; Judge Johnston gave introductory remarks. Judges Hillary and Patricia Gardner were also on the bench at the investiture (photo page 2).

In addition to Hillary, speakers included Rev. Troy Nevins of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish; L. Roland “Bud” Roegge (photo page 2), Acker’s career-long mentor, especially when he started out at Smith Haughey Rice and Roegge; and John T. Piggins, an attorney at Miller Johnson, Ackert’s firm right before his appointment.

There was a lot of warmth and much lighthearted laughter.

After Hillary presented Mrs. Ackert with a bouquet, the couple’s two daughters Kaitlyn and Erin helped their father put on the judicial robe (photo at left). In response to their question about whether there was any special way it needed to be donned, Judge Sara Smolenski of the 63rd District Court called out, “One arm at a time,” and Judge Murkowski added, “Tag to the inside.”

Roegge started out his remarks by reading a lengthy text message allegedly from Pope Francis, who apologized for not being there but said he had to talk to Congress instead. Roegge went on to talk about the frequency with which Ackert sent him text messages on political matters, cautioning that that would have to end now — and that Roegge would miss it.

Hillary teased Ackert about his humorous stories and added that his penchant for detail might be used as a tool in court to bore counsel into bringing lengthy cases to an end. “I’ll get you back for this,” Ackert promised when he spoke.

But everyone agreed that Ackert would make a wonderful judge. “I know that this will be more than just a job for T.J. because he cares, he genuinely cares,” said Piggins.

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