NEW JUDGES-1981

I think I came across this on Judge Wendy Baxter's FB page.  It is a December 17, 1981, article from the Legal Advertiser, concerning the swearing in of new judges of the 36th District Court.  New judges, Wendy O. Baxter, Cynthia D. Stephens, James R. Chylinski, Gerald Brock, Alex J. Allen, Jr., and William J. Hathaway.

In December 1981 the ink was barely dry on my law license-and marriage license.  In fact, December 17, I think was my first day back to work after our honeymoon.

I don't know if the Legal Advertiser exists anymore, but it was one of the 2 big local legal newspapers back then, in the hard copy paper era.  The domain legaladvertiser.com (and who in 1981 knew what that would mean) is currently available for purchase.  

I do remember appearing before all of those judges, though not necessarily in 36D.  Many went on to Wayne County Circuit Court, Civil and Criminal divisions, and Judge Stephens went on from Wayne Circuit to the Michigan Court of Appeals.  

Some of those new 1981 judges have passed, and others have retired as judges (Michigan does have a judicial age limit), but maintain ADR practices.  Judge Chylinski is still listed as a judge in the Criminal Division of Wayne County Circuit Court, but I believe he may be retiring at the end of the year.

This is the kind of picture that can make one feel "old". But the more I think about it, the memories of appearing before these judges (and others), often on Friday morning motion call in Wayne County, reminds me of how great it was/is to be a Detroit lawyer.  And, though few will admit it, how great it was (and "was" is the appropriate word here) to run around the halls of justice with other members of the Brotherhood.  Today's litigators, practicing primarily from the comfort of home, don't know what they have missed.