Chief Justice McCormack Thanks Friends of the Court

By the Friend of the Court Bureau

Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget M. McCormack joined with the Friend of the Court Association on July 26, 2019, to celebrate August 2019 as the 100th anniversary of Michigan’s Friend of the Court. The Chief Justice also attended the annual meeting of the association and swore in their officers.

Chief Justice McCormack (left) with the newest FOCA officers (left to right):
Suzanne Hollyer, Sarah Anderson, Michael LaFave, and Kristi Bray.

Chief Justice Bridget McCormack noted that a uniting attribute of the 2,000 professionals who work for Friend of the Court is to be a friend to the hundreds of thousands of Michigan families who depend on its work. “You are a lifeline for families who are struggling with divorce, parenting time, and other difficult issues. You serve those moms, dads, and children with dignity, respect, compassion, and dedication that is unmatched.”

Chief Justice McCormack presenting FOCA with the resolution.

Chief Justice McCormack presented the association with a Michigan Supreme Court resolution highlighting the anniversary, noting, in part: “…for 100 years, Michigan’s Friend of the Court has been an innovative leader and national pioneer in protecting the welfare of families and children….” The Friend of the Court, in 2018, served nearly 750,000 families and supervised distribution of more than $1.4 billion dollars of child support, medical expenses, and spousal support; and assisted families over 14,000 times in voluntarily resolving custody and parenting time disputes.

Here is a short video excerpt of the Chief Justice’s address to the Friend of the Court Association, thanking friend of the court employees for their service: