Spring 2014

Briefs

Prof. Judith Levy Confirmed as Federal Judge

By Lori Atherton

Judith E. Levy, ’96
Judith E. Levy, ’96

Judith E. Levy, ’96, a Michigan Law faculty member was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 12 to serve as a federal judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She was sworn in by Chief Judge Gerald Rosen during a ceremony in Detroit held March 18. 

“The decisions federal judges make change individuals’ lives, and in some instances, they affect all of our lives,” Judge Levy said. “I will do my best to make those decisions thoughtfully and fairly. I am honored to be appointed to this position.” 

Judge Levy and three others were nominated by President Barack Obama in July 2013 upon the recommendation of Michigan Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow. “Each of [the judges] has demonstrated a mastery of the law and the impartiality required of a judge,” Levin said, “and I know they will serve justice and the people of Michigan well.” 

Judge Levy specialized in large civil rights cases related to fair housing, fair lending, police misconduct, juvenile justice, and disability law. She is the director of Michigan Law’s Public Interest/Public Service Faculty Fellows program, and she teaches seminars on policing and fair housing. 

Prior to her appointment to the federal bench, Judge Levy had served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Michigan since 2000 and was the chief of the Civil Rights Unit. 

Prior to that, she was a trial attorney with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Detroit. She has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division for her work on civil rights cases and received the DOJ Director’s Award in 2004. 

Before attending Law School, she was an elected union official and chief negotiator for the service and maintenance employees at U-M for eight years.

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