Oakland County voters tired of the ceaseless partisan bickering will have some relief this year, as Oakland County's five incumbent Circuit Court judges are running together as a unity slate. Despite being appointed by both Republican and Democratic former governors, the judges wish to send a message that their positions are non-partisan. They want voters to understand the importance of an independent judiciary, free of partisan bias.
The unity slate includes:
Judge Leo Bowman - Serving on the Circuit Court since 2007, Bowman previously served 18 years as a district judge, including eight years as chief judge. He's a former president of the Michigan District Judges Association and board member of the Oakland County Bar Association and American Judges Association. Bowman is a former Judge of the Year award recipient.
Judge Phyllis McMillen - Serving on the Circuit Court since 2010, McMillen previously served 15 years as a district judge, including nine as chief judge. She's a former president of the Michigan District Judges Association and Oakland County District Judges Association, and the recipient of numerous awards including a Special Recognition Award from the Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Judge Denise Langford Morris - Serving on the Circuit Court since 1992, Langford Morris is a former Oakland County assistant prosecuting attorney and assistant United States attorney. She's a former governing board member of the Michigan Judges Association and Champion of Justice award recipient. Langford Morris is a member of the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army's William Booth Legal Aid Clinic.
Judge Wendy Potts - Serving on the Circuit Court since 1997, Potts served as the court's chief judge for six years. She served on the Governor's Task Force on Domestic Violence. Potts is past president of the Oakland County Bar Association and founder of The RESTORE Foundation to support the county drug courts.
Judge Michael Warren - Serving on the Circuit Court since 2002, Warren is the presiding judge of its Civil/Criminal Division and e-filing pilot judge. He's co-creator of Patriot Week, a celebration of the American Spirit. Warren is chairman of Cornerstone Schools, previously served on the State Board of Education, and authored "America's Survival Guide."
The Unity Slate's fundraising team is lead by Alan Ackerman, managing partner of Ackerman, Ackerman, & Dynkowski PC and former Oakland County Circuit Court Chief Judge Barry Howard.
Ackerman and Howard head up a large finance committee that is a bipartisan Who's Who of Oakland County's legal, business and community leaders.
"Oakland County has a tradition of judicial independence, not only from party but also from individuals or corporations. The five incumbent judges deserve strong support from all of us," Ackerman said.
"These judges are legal heavyweights. They're respected throughout Oakland County for their experience, integrity and knowledge of the law. It's critical that we vote to keep all five on the bench," Howard said.
Former Governor James Blanchard and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson are co-hosting a kickoff fundraising event in support of the Unity Slate on Thursday, June 14, at the Troy Marriott.
"Governor Blanchard and I don't agree on much, but we do agree that these five circuit judges have earned the support of all Oakland County voters in this election," Patterson said.
"Judges are elected on the non-partisan ballot and these five judges are excellent. They've earned our support," Blanchard said.
For additional information about the fundraising event, call Al Holtz at (248) 593-5000.
Published: Fri, Jun 8, 2012
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