2023 Dewitt C. Holbrook Lecture on Social Justice

About the Lecture: 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” is presented by Justice Kyra Harris Bolden '14, Michigan Supreme Court.

Description: What is justice for all and how does Michigan achieve that goal? Justice for all is more than a lawyer for every defendant but a justice system that provides a pathway to resolve concerns while treating everyone with dignity and respect. A comprehensive approach to justice for all includes courts that are engaged with local communities, that support and nurture families and children at risk, that provide access to treatment for behavioral health disorders, and embrace the problem-solving model that focuses on making participants whole again.

Location: Detroit Mercy Law, Room 226

Reception: Immediately following lecture in Detroit Mercy Law, Atrium

Parking: Guests are asked to park in the LAZ Lot located at 589 E. Congress St., just one block north of Detroit Mercy Law. Please see map below. Limited street parking may also be available on E. Congress, St. Antoine, Larned and Jefferson.

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

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. Justice 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.

Justice Bolden has a deep respect for the law and has seen the depth and breadth of law in her years of practice and lawmaking. After becoming a member of the State Bar, Justice Bolden practiced as a criminal defense attorney. Justice Bolden then served as a Judicial Law Clerk in Wayne County’s Third Circuit Court under the Honorable Judge John A. Murphy. As a Judicial Law Clerk, Justice Bolden performed legal research, made recommendations to the Judge on legal interpretation based upon relevant case law, and drafted opinions on a myriad of civil issues. Bolden then practiced as a civil litigation attorney with Lewis & Munday, P.C., in several practice areas before joining the Michigan Legislature in 2019.

Questions? Contact Sunny Kerschenheiter at kerschsc@udmercy.edu