The American Judges Association (AJA), one of the largest national, independent organizations of judges in the United States, is recognizing Michigan Tribal Court Judge Melissa L. Pope with its 2025 Judge Libby Hines Domestic Violence Award.
The award is given annually to a judge in the U.S. or Canada who has made significant contributions toward an effective judicial response to domestic violence.
Judge Pope was chosen for her decades-long commitment to helping victims of domestic and sexual violence and their children in the states and Indian Country and for her work educating police, prosecutors, judges, advocates and others on domestic violence.
She is the first judge of a tribal court to receive this national award.
Judge Pope currently serves as chief judge of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Court, a position she has held since 2011. She created a Victim Services Department integrating trauma-informed, victim-centered, traditional culturally honoring care.
Judge Pope is also the elected chief justice of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Tribal Court of Appeal since 2009.
She has been teaching American Indian Law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law since 2007.
In nominating Judge Pope, Judge Libby Hines (ret.) noted that Judge Pope’s passion, expertise and leadership in the field have been recognized statewide and nationally.
Judge Pope was appointed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve on the seven-member Michigan Domestic & Sexual Violence Prevention & Treatment Board that, among other responsibilities, makes recommendations to the governor and legislature on issues of sexual and domestic assault and monitors quality assurance at Michigan’s shelters for victims and their children.
In 2023, Judge Pope was recognized by the American Bar Association's Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence with the Judith S. Kaye Award for Judicial Excellence in recognition of her “knowledge of domestic and sexual violence and exemplary leadership developing courtroom responses to these issues.”
Judge Pope’s influence “extends far beyond Indian Country,” wrote Hines. Judge Pope “works tirelessly with many mainstream, non-Indian partners and agencies to address the epidemic of violence against Indigenous People and missing and murdered Indigenous women and men,” continued Hines.
While always prioritizing the safety of survivors, their families and the community, Judge Pope also provides opportunities for healing to defendants and respondents, many of whom are also victims of violence.
Judge Hines added that Judge Pope is a “smart, genuinely kind, caring, thoughtful person and judge … She is committed to her fundamental belief that ‘equality for one community can only be achieved through the equality of all.’”
The award is given annually to a judge in the U.S. or Canada who has made significant contributions toward an effective judicial response to domestic violence.
Judge Pope was chosen for her decades-long commitment to helping victims of domestic and sexual violence and their children in the states and Indian Country and for her work educating police, prosecutors, judges, advocates and others on domestic violence.
She is the first judge of a tribal court to receive this national award.
Judge Pope currently serves as chief judge of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Court, a position she has held since 2011. She created a Victim Services Department integrating trauma-informed, victim-centered, traditional culturally honoring care.
Judge Pope is also the elected chief justice of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Tribal Court of Appeal since 2009.
She has been teaching American Indian Law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law since 2007.
In nominating Judge Pope, Judge Libby Hines (ret.) noted that Judge Pope’s passion, expertise and leadership in the field have been recognized statewide and nationally.
Judge Pope was appointed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve on the seven-member Michigan Domestic & Sexual Violence Prevention & Treatment Board that, among other responsibilities, makes recommendations to the governor and legislature on issues of sexual and domestic assault and monitors quality assurance at Michigan’s shelters for victims and their children.
In 2023, Judge Pope was recognized by the American Bar Association's Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence with the Judith S. Kaye Award for Judicial Excellence in recognition of her “knowledge of domestic and sexual violence and exemplary leadership developing courtroom responses to these issues.”
Judge Pope’s influence “extends far beyond Indian Country,” wrote Hines. Judge Pope “works tirelessly with many mainstream, non-Indian partners and agencies to address the epidemic of violence against Indigenous People and missing and murdered Indigenous women and men,” continued Hines.
While always prioritizing the safety of survivors, their families and the community, Judge Pope also provides opportunities for healing to defendants and respondents, many of whom are also victims of violence.
Judge Hines added that Judge Pope is a “smart, genuinely kind, caring, thoughtful person and judge … She is committed to her fundamental belief that ‘equality for one community can only be achieved through the equality of all.’”
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