Skip to main content

Gov. Snyder: Justice Mary Beth Kelly is a tremendous public servant, will be missed on Supreme Court

Monday, August 17, 2015

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today thanked Justice Mary Beth Kelly for her service on the state Supreme Court, after the announcement she will retire Oct. 1. 

“Justice Kelly has shown tremendous leadership and dedication during her time on the Supreme Court,” Snyder said. “Her advocacy on juvenile justice issues has had a major impact on the state, and she has been instrumental in shaping innovative specialty courts meant to rehabilitate drug offenders and defendants who are veterans. 

“Her legacy will certainly reflect the time she spent working to change outcomes for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents. I thank her for her unwavering commitment to Michigan’s judicial system and wish her future success.”

Kelly was elected to the Supreme Court in 2010, and prior to that she served as a judge on the Wayne County Circuit Court - including several years as chief judge - beginning with her appointment by Gov. John Engler in 1999.

The state Constitution authorizes Gov. Snyder to appoint someone to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court for a term ending Jan. 1, 2017.  To complete the remaining portion of Justice Kelly’s term, which ends in Dec. 2018, the appointee would need to run for election in Nov. 2016.

#####