Justice Bolden to speak at annual Holbrook Lecture

The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law will present the 5th Annual Dewitt C. Holbrook Lecture on Social Justice on Thursday, April 13, from 5 to 6 p.m. in Room 226

This lecture series, made possible through a grant from the Dewitt C. Holbrook Memorial Trust, provides prominent leaders in the legal profession a forum to address issues on law and policy related to social justice. This year’s lecture, titled “Justice for All,” will be presented by Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden.

Bolden joined the Michigan Supreme Court on January 1, 2023 when she was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, making her the first black woman to serve as a justice. She is a graduate of Southfield Public Schools. Bolden chose to remain in Michigan for her studies, receiving her bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University and law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

After becoming a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Bolden practiced as a criminal defense attorney. She then served as a judicial law clerk in Wayne County’s Third Circuit Court under Judge John A. Murphy. Bolden then practiced as a civil litigation attorney with Lewis & Munday PC in several practice areas before joining the Michigan Legislature in 2019.

As a former State of Michigan House representative, Bolden advocated for Michiganders as a member of the Judiciary Committee and focused her work on criminal justice reform, crafting and passing bipartisan legislation to protect survivors of sexual violence. Bolden successfully passed pieces of critical bipartisan legislation into law, including the “Medically Frail” prison reform package, the revision of the Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act, and the “Address Confidentiality for Survivors of Domestic Violence” package.

Immediately following lecture, a reception will take place in the Detroit Mercy Law Atrium. Guests are asked to park in the LAZ Lot located at 589 E. Congress St., just one block north of Detroit Mercy Law. Limited street parking may also be available on E. Congress, St. Antoine, Larned and Jefferson.

To register for the lecture, visit https://2023socialjustice.eventbrite.com. Anyone with questions may contact Sunny Kerschenheiter at kerschsc@udmercy.