--- title: "Victoria A. Roberts | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/victoria-a-roberts-2742" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Victoria A. Roberts U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan · Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan - State: Michigan - Role: Judge - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, District Court, E.D. Michigan, 1998-present - Assistant U.S. attorney, Eastern District of Michigan, 1985-1988 - Research attorney, Michigan Court of Appeals, 1976-1977 - Early in her career, she held the role of a research attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals and as a teaching fellow in legal research and writing at the Detroit College of Law ### Education - Northeastern University School of Law — J.D. (1977) - University of Michigan — B.A. (1973) - Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law ### Additional information - She assumed senior status on February 25, 2021, and retired from active service on September 1, 2023 - Joined the court in 1998 after being nominated by President Bill Clinton (D) - received her commission on June 29, 1998 - Private practice, Detroit, MI, 1988-1998 - Nominated by President Bill Clinton on July 31, 1997, to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, filling the seat vacated by George La Plata - General counsel, Detroit Mayor-Elect Dennis Archer Transition Team, 1993-1994 - Private practice, Michigan, 1977-1985 - Legal research and writing teaching fellow, Detroit College of Law, Michigan State University, 1977-1978 - Date of birth: 1951-01-01 - taught at the University of Michigan Law School and mentored hundreds of law students through programs aimed at increasing diversity among law clerks - Practiced privately in Michigan and held the role of an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan before returning to private practice and later serving as general counsel for Mayor-elect Dennis Archer’s transition team - Celebrated for her hands-on approach to dispute resolution, often conducting settlement conferences to resolve matters before trial - During her 25-year tenure, she presided over thousands of cases, including high-profile challenges to presidential actions, such as the Arab American Civil Rights League v - She also engages in advocacy to defend the judiciary, participating in public efforts to raise awareness about threats against judges - Trump lawsuit, where she temporarily blocked enforcement of the 90-day travel restriction on lawful permanent residents from seven Muslim-majority countries - Roberts has received numerous awards, including the Legacy Award from the ACLU, the Lifetime Judicial Achievement Award from the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Dennis W. Archer Public Service Award - A scholarship in her name has been established by the Wolverine Bar Association to honor her contributions to law and the community Victoria Roberts is widely regarded as a trailblazer for women, African Americans, and native Detroiters in the legal profession, leaving a lasting impact on the judiciary and the broader community - Birth place: Detroit, MI ## 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/2742/victoria-a-roberts/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2742/victoria-a-roberts/) - [U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2742/victoria-a-roberts/) - [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/2742/victoria-a-roberts/) - [Victoria Roberts - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Victoria_Roberts) - [Wikidata: Victoria A. Roberts](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7926546) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/victoria-a-roberts-2742", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/victoria-a-roberts-2742", "name": "Victoria A. Roberts | KnowJudges", "description": "Victoria A. Roberts, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/victoria-a-roberts-2742#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/victoria-a-roberts-2742#judge", "name": "Victoria A. 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