--- title: "Kurtis Wilder | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kurtis-wilder-7606" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Kurtis Wilder Michigan Court of Appeals · Judge ## Profile - Court: Michigan Court of Appeals - State: Michigan - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Michigan Court of Appeals, 1998-present - Kurtis T. Wilder is an American judge best known for his service as an Associate Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court from May 9, 2017, until the end of 2018 - Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge – Appointed by Governor John Engler in March 1992 to complete a term; later elected to a full term, becoming the first African American judge elected in that county - Before he became an appellate judge, Wilder served as chief judge of the Washtenaw County "Washtenaw County, Michigan (Judicial)") trial court. ### Education - University of Michigan Law School in — J.D. (1984) ### Additional information - In November 2018, Wilder ran unsuccessfully for a full eight-year term and was defeated by Megan Cavanagh - He completed Young’s term in December 2018 - Michigan Supreme Court – Appointed by Governor Rick Snyder on May 9, 2017, to replace Robert P. Young Jr. - Appointed to the court by Republican Governor John Engler in December 1998. - Born April 26, 1959, Cleveland, Ohio. - Associations - Prior to his judicial career, Wilder practiced law with the firms of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. in Lansing and Butzel Long, P.C. in Detroit. - After leaving the Supreme Court, Wilder returned to Butzel Long as a shareholder - focusing on litigation, appeals, and mediation. - He has argued cases before the Michigan Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and other federal and state courts. - He also serves on numerous boards, including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and University of Michigan Alumni Association ## 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.courtlistener.com/person/7606/kurtis-wilder/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7606/kurtis-wilder/) - [Michigan Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7606/kurtis-wilder/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7606/kurtis-wilder/) - [Kurtis Wilder - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kurtis_Wilder) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kurtis-wilder-7606", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kurtis-wilder-7606", "name": "Kurtis Wilder | KnowJudges", "description": "Kurtis Wilder, Michigan Court of Appeals. 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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 — Court of Appeals proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-ca06979bc04146487fb59a31) — Michigan Court of Appeals 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.