Email from Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan

Court and Community News and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion updates

from the Third Judicial Circuit

April 2025

Chief Judge Letter -
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Updates
Specialty Courts
Community Service
Hiring Continues!
Tech Tips
DEI Calendar

Our COVID comeback is complete!

We all remember the stress that the COVID pandemic caused all of us both personally and professionally. In addition to worries over personal health and the health of our loved ones, state mandated workplace closures made it difficult for our court to operate effectively. As hearings were pushed back and uncertainty became prevalent, many of our fellow employees chose to retire or pursue opportunities in other fields.

By 2021, our positional vacancies at the court were the highest in recent memory. So, I’m proud to say that with the help of our Human Resources team, we’ve made a remarkable comeback. At the end of February our court-wide vacancy rate had dipped to 14 percent, the lowest levels since before the pandemic. We hired nine new team members in January alone.

The phrase “it takes a village” comes from a proverb that refers to how groups of well-meaning adults can collectively help raise children within a community. But I believe it’s also a perfect way to describe what is needed for the Third Circuit Court to operate efficiently. I also want to thank Wayne County for partnering with the court to support wage increases for our union employees through CBA negotiations and our non-union employees.

As we reduce our vacancy rates and find experienced professionals for critical roles within all departments, I’m aware of how important job satisfaction is for our team members. That includes creating opportunities for career growth and investing in continuing education when possible. It’s also incumbent upon our leaders to check in with their employees to understand their capacity levels, offer support and provide feedback.

I want to once again thank our Human Resources team for helping us to reduce this vacancy rate through online postings, in-person and online job fairs and publicly advocating the benefits of working for Third Circuit Court.

If you have questions or concerns about your role, or are looking for a new challenge, reach out to your supervisor. Effective internal communications is critical to our success.

Once again, feel free to email me at chiefjudge@3rdcc.org with questions. Every communication will be read and considered.

Sincerely,

Judge Patricia Perez Fresard

Celebrating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in April

The Third Circuit Court Diversity Equity, and Inclusion Team’s Mission is: "We appreciate our common connection and respect our diverse and unique human experiences. We move forward as an inclusive organization as we provide accessible and equal justice."

The Court’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team strives to ensure the values of its diverse bench, staff, and court users are acknowledged and reflected in our delivery of service as well as our work environment.

Held in April every year, National Volunteer Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of all volunteers. It's a chance to have an impact on our communities, while encouraging more people to get involved.

There are many opportunities to volunteer throughout Wayne County at churches, community centers, food banks and other worthy nonprofits. If you're looking for volunteer ideas, consider helping homebound seniors in Wayne County. You could deliver meals, help them with routine household needs, and simply spend time with them. Volunteers are needed between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Fill out a registration form and learn more at the Wayne County website.

There's plenty of other options as well. You can visit websites like VolunteerMatch or VolunteerMichigan to find convenient opportunities with reputable nonprofits near you.

April is also Celebrate Diversity Month. This day started in 2004 to recognize and honor the fact that diversity surrounds us all and that it should always be cherished. By celebrating differences and similarities that we all have as people from different backgrounds, the hope is that people will gain a deeper understanding and develop a new appreciation of each other, including our diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences.

Diversity doesn’t only happen in April, as we recognize other times of the year during such celebrations as Black History Month in February, Women's History Month in March, Native American Heritage Month in November, and more. Plus, inclusive environments increase morale and innovative thinking.

Consider learning more about a culture or community that is of interest to you this month. Fortunately, you don't have to look too far. Wayne County is one of the most diverse counties in the U.S., from Mexicantown in southwest Detroit to the Polish heritage of Hamtramck to Detroit's oldest neighborhood, Corktown.

The rich heritage, history and hopes of the more than 3.5 million Arab Americans are celebrated in April. They have helped to write the American story and move the nation forward while embodying the idea that diversity is one of the greatest collective strengths the U.S. has.

People with Arab heritage were among the many immigrants who came to the U.S. seeking a life filled with freedom and opportunities. Arab Americans offer a range of cultures, customs, backgrounds and beliefs that is supported in our communities.

As they immigrated to the U.S., Arab Americans helped to build the country in numerous ways, from fighting in the Continental Army to serving the cause of freedom. They also helped to build cities and communities, often in the face of discrimination and hate.

Source: ArabAmerica.com

Originally known as Secretaries Day, Administrative Professionals Day on April 23 celebrates the team members that are the glue to any organization. Our administrative professionals at the Third Judicial Circuit ensure we communicate with jurors, run successful events and respond to our constituents - the people of Wayne County. Their work is invaluable in support of the judicial process.

We thank all of our administrative professionals at the court for their hard work, dedication to their job, and public service.

Specialty Courts: Evolving to Better Serve the Community

Above: The STAND Program Juvenile Drug Treatment Court team.

Below right: Members from the Juvenile and Criminal Specialty Court teams.

Specialty Courts play a crucial role in the judicial system, continuously evolving to meet the needs of the communities they serve. To enhance the effectiveness of these programs, ongoing training and the implementation of best practices must remain a top priority.

Recently, the Juvenile Section of the Family Division Mental Health Court and Drug Court participated in the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals (MATCP) Conference in Grand Rapids. This event brought together key stakeholders, including judges, coordinators, defense attorneys, managers, probation officers, prosecutors, and treatment professionals—each playing an essential role in Specialty Court teams. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in role-specific sessions, deepening their expertise and strengthening their collaborative efforts.

The MATCP conference provides an invaluable platform for Specialty Court programs across the state to connect, exchange insights, and explore innovative best practices. It also offers exposure to new resources from industry vendors, helping to enhance the services available to those in need.

Juvenile Specialty Court teams dedicate time and effort to attending such conferences because they are committed to prioritizing community well-being. By staying informed and continuously improving, they ensure that participants receive the most effective support possible.

Join us in making a difference—consider making a referral today and help transform lives through the power of Specialty Courts.

Community Service with the General Counsel's Office

It's always the season of giving as the General Counsel team proved last month. Members of the team volunteered at Focus: HOPE’s food distribution center on March 20 to pack and sort food boxes filled with nutritious items for low-income senior citizens in and around the immediate Detroit neighborhood.

Participating team members included Dolores Aguilera, Kathleen Allen, Lisa Bey, Amanda Cunningham, Josef Funchess, Susan Moody, Sonya Powers, Kimberly Reed-Thompson, Lynn Reeves, Michelle Schefsky and Fran Yturri.

As a reminder, Third Circuit Court allows colleagues to volunteer one day (eight hours) per calendar year with pay provided they have supervisor approval. Find the Community Service Volunteer Form on CourtWeb to receive supervisor approval. Examples of qualifying volunteer events include public and charter school events, most non-profit volunteer events and state and local bar association and section events.

Learn more about the history and Focus: HOPE and its current areas of focus by clicking here.

We're continuing to build our expertise in FOC

Above: Alison Quinn and Amber Thomas

Friend of the Court celebrates two more new hires in March - Alison Quinn and Amber Thomas.

Alison joins the FOC as a Staff Attorney. Alison has a Bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University, and her Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University College of Law. She previously worked at the Third Circuit Court as a J.A. for the Hon. Amy P. Hathaway in the Civil Division. Alison worked in civil litigation defense after leaving the court in 2012.

Alison is happy to be back in public service. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and outdoor walks along Lake St. Clair.

Amber also joins FOC as a Staff Attorney. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a minor in Criminal Justice from Central State University, and her Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University College of Law. Amber previously worked for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. Prior to that, Amber worked with us at Third Circuit Court as a Lawyer Guardian Ad-Litem with Juvenile Legal Services of Michigan.

Amber is passionate about public service and justice being served. Her motto is “I do not believe in impossible because I’m possible.” In her spare time, Amber enjoys boxing, traveling, playing board games, ballroom and salsa dancing, and learning Spanish.

Coming to a job fair near you

Did you know that the Third Judicial Circuit participates in several job fairs per year? These job fairs, combined with many other efforts, have helped the court significantly reduce its vacancy rate over the past year. The court will continue its efforts toward filling all open positions.

As the court expands its reach into the community, we make every effort to attend job fairs, market on social media, and develop partnerships to make the community aware of employment opportunities available within the court.

Job fairs like the one above, held in mid-March at the University of Detroit Mercy, not only introduce the court to qualified candidates for open positions, but help to build our brand within the Wayne County community. Congratulations to the Human Resources team, and all departments who have filled open positions. Our efforts to provide the best possible service to residents and stakeholders through recruitment continues!

Benefits Alert - save on products and services with your court-provided insurance

Did you know that if you have Blue Care Network for your medical insurance, you’re eligible for low cost gym memberships, discounts on apparel and footwear and additional savings? Simply log in to your Blue Care Network account online at bcbsm.com. From there, take these steps:

1) Click the "Login" tab.

2) Click the "Members” tab.

3) Click on the “Programs and Services” tab.

4) Click on the "Blue365" tab and begin saving.

If you don’t have an account, you will need to create an account, then follow the directions as stated. Happy savings!

ALSO...Human Resources will kick off the spring season with Be There or Be Square: Walk One Square Mile with HR in April 2025. More details will follow.

Tech Tips

Working with CourtWeb

We have a court User Directory on the homepage of CourtWeb where you can update your profile and find a wealth of other resources.

To update your information, simply select the Welcome displayed at the top, right corner of the screen. Then select the Edit My Info button to update the following fields:

Mobile – Optional

Division – Choose from the drop-down list available (e.g., Civil, Criminal, FOC, etc.)

Office – Enter your office number, suite number, courtroom number, etc. to help someone find you in your building

Phone – Enter your office phone number (e.g., 313-224-1234)

Department – Choose from the drop-down list available

Location – Choose from the drop-down list available

Click Save and you’re done!

Also, note that the phone number saved within CourtWeb will automatically update the Global Address List within Outlook within a day or two in case someone searches for you there as well.