LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement announced Wednesday, Feb. 19, that she will be stepping down from the state’s largest court.
In a statement, she said she was proud of the work she had done on the Supreme Court and expressed gratitude to those she worked alongside.
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She said she would be stepping down “no later than April 30, 2025.”
“I am especially proud of the work we have done to increase our capacity to collect and analyze data by connecting local trial courts to a statewide system. At the same time, our efforts to support implementation of juvenile justice reform will ultimately make sure every youth who needs help can get the support they need to succeed,” Clement wrote. “Most of all, the State Court Administrative Office has become a force for good toward achieving our shared goal of a justice system that works better for everyone.”
Clement was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court by former Republican Gov. Rick Snyder in November 2017 before being elected in 2018.
She said she would continue to work with the justice system for safer and stronger communities.
The vacancy gives Gov. Whitmer the ability to temporarily appoint a replacement before the 2026 election, potentially giving the court a 6-1 liberal majority.
“Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement has been a dedicated public servant for almost two decades and served the people of Michigan admirably in all three branches of state government.
Throughout her distinguished tenure on the Michigan Supreme Court, Chief Justice Clement was an independent minded jurist who upheld the rule of law, protected our constitutional values, and stood strong for the principles of justice.
Notably, she cemented equal protections for all Michiganders in state law regardless of who they love when she authored Rouch World v Department of Civil Rights, which held that the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
As Chief Justice for the past three years, she was an incredible leader who ensured our highest court functioned well and led landmark decisions that made a real difference in people’s lives. As governor and as a Michigander, I am grateful to her for her service.
We will ensure a smooth transition for Chief Justice Clement and take action to appoint her replacement after a thorough review.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer