--- title: "Elizabeth M. Welch | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/elizabeth-m-welch-mi-justice-michigan-supreme-court" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Elizabeth M. Welch Michigan Supreme Court · Justice ## Profile - Court: Michigan Supreme Court - State: Michigan - Role: Justice - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - American judge and Associate Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court since January 1, 2021 - Elected to the Michigan Supreme Court in the November 3, 2020 general election, succeeding Justice Stephen Markman - The Justice Liaison for data gathering and transparency in civil, criminal, and juvenile justice systems, and also serves as Liaison to the Michigan Judicial Institute - Official site: Michigan Supreme Court – Justice Elizabeth M. Welch - She co-chairs the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission and participates in multiple Justice for All Commission work groups ### Education ### Additional information - Born September 20, 1970 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Welch earned her B.A. from Pennsylvania State University in 1992 and her J.D. from Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 1995, where she held the role of Research Editor of the Law Journal. - Date of birth: 1970-09-20 - In interviews, Welch has discussed AI’s impact on law, the parallels between school and court funding, and the value of career flexibility for law students - East Grand Rapids High School - Before joining the court, Welch practiced labor and employment law for 25 years at large firms in Louisville, KY, and Grand Rapids, MI, and later opened her own practice in Grand Rapids. - She has handled pro bono abuse/neglect cases, advised nonprofits on governance, and held the role of a trained mediator. - Birth place: Grand Rapids ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### videoconferencing Scope: statewide Michigan courts may determine the manner and extent of videoconferencing technology, subject to participant requests and suitability factors under MCR 2.407. Evidence excerpt: courts may determine the manner and extent of the use of videoconferencing technology and may require participants to attend court proceedings by videoconferencing technology [Michigan Court Rule 2.407, Videoconferencing](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-2-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2.htm?rhtocid=_2) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote access notice Scope: statewide If a Michigan proceeding will be held by videoconferencing technology, the court must provide reasonable notice of how to access it. Evidence excerpt: If a proceeding will be held using videoconferencing technology, the court must provide reasonable notice of the way(s) to access that proceeding. [Michigan Court Rule 2.407, Videoconferencing](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-2-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2.htm?rhtocid=_2) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording and broadcasting Scope: statewide Michigan prohibits photography, audio or video recording, broadcasting, or live streaming in a courtroom unless allowed by the presiding judge, subject to the separate media-coverage order. Evidence excerpt: In a courtroom, no one may use a portable electronic device to take photographs or for audio or video recording, broadcasting, or live streaming unless that use is specifically allowed by the Judge presiding over that courtroom. [Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-8-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8.htm?rhtocid=_25) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### device use Scope: statewide Michigan allows courtroom use of portable electronic devices for information retrieval, storage, internet access, and messaging, but requires silence and bars calls or other audible functions without court permission. Evidence excerpt: Attorneys, parties, and members of the public may use a portable electronic device in a courtroom to retrieve or to store information (including notetaking), to access the Internet, and to send and receive text messages or information. [Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-8-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8.htm?rhtocid=_25) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/49052f/siteassets/publications/benchbooks/jdq/jdqresponsivehtml5.zip/JDQ/Cover_and_Acknowledgments/Michigan_Supreme_Court.htm?rhtocid=_0_1) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/49052f/siteassets/publications/benchbooks/jdq/jdqresponsivehtml5.zip/JDQ/Cover_and_Acknowledgments/Michigan_Supreme_Court.htm?rhtocid=_0_1) - [Michigan Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/49052f/siteassets/publications/benchbooks/jdq/jdqresponsivehtml5.zip/JDQ/Cover_and_Acknowledgments/Michigan_Supreme_Court.htm?rhtocid=_0_1) - [Michigan Court Rule 2.407, Videoconferencing](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-2-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2.htm?rhtocid=_2) - [Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-8-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8.htm?rhtocid=_25) - [Wikidata: Elizabeth M. Welch](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102027631) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/elizabeth-m-welch-mi-justice-michigan-supreme-court", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/elizabeth-m-welch-mi-justice-michigan-supreme-court", "name": "Elizabeth M. Welch | KnowJudges", "description": "Elizabeth M. Welch, Michigan Supreme Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-22", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/elizabeth-m-welch-mi-justice-michigan-supreme-court#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/elizabeth-m-welch-mi-justice-michigan-supreme-court#judge", "name": "Elizabeth M. Welch", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/elizabeth-m-welch-mi-justice-michigan-supreme-court", "jobTitle": "Justice", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Michigan Supreme Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.courts.michigan.gov/49052f/siteassets/publications/benchbooks/jdq/jdqresponsivehtml5.zip/JDQ/Cover_and_Acknowledgments/Michigan_Supreme_Court.htm?rhtocid=_0_1" ], "birthDate": "1970-09-20", "birthPlace": "Grand Rapids", "alumniOf": [ { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "East Grand Rapids High School" } ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Michigan", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/michigan" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Elizabeth M. Welch", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/elizabeth-m-welch-mi-justice-michigan-supreme-court" } ] } ] } ``` ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-2f4be1384a246c5cc0b6bc97) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-8-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8.htm?rhtocid=_25). Collected 2026-07-26. - [Michigan Court Rules — Supreme Court proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-c5366813e2974272ee2e2f40) — Michigan Supreme Court proceedings only; retained September 2, 2026 compilation. Source exceptions and later amendments apply. [Official source](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/michigan-court-rules.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.