Elizabeth Welch

Elizabeth Welch

Democratic Party

Michigan Supreme Court

Tenure

2021 - Present

Term ends

2029

Years in position

4

Compensation

Base salary

$181,483

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 3, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

Pennsylvania State University, 1992

Law

The Ohio State University, 1995

Personal

Birthplace

Grand Rapids, Mich.

Religion

Presbyterian/Jewish

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Official website

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal Twitter

Personal LinkedIn

Elizabeth Welch (Democratic Party) is a judge of the Michigan Supreme Court. She assumed office on January 1, 2021. Her current term ends on January 1, 2029.

Welch (Nonpartisan, Democratic Party) ran for election for judge of the Michigan Supreme Court. Welch won in the general election on November 3, 2020. She advanced from the Democratic convention on August 29, 2020.

Welch completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Welch first became a member of the Michigan Supreme Court through a nonpartisan election. She was first elected to the court in 2020. To read more about judicial selection in Michigan, click here.

Biography

Elizabeth Welch was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Welch received a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1992 and a J.D. from Ohio State University in 1995. Welch's career experience includes working as a litigator and trained mediator. Welch has been a member of the Michigan Bar Association, American Bar Association, Grand Rapids Bar Association, and the Women Lawyers Association.

Elections

2020

See also: Michigan Supreme Court elections, 2020

General election

General election for Michigan Supreme Court (2 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Michigan Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bridget Mary McCormack (Nonpartisan)	32.3	2,377,410
✔		Elizabeth Welch (Nonpartisan)	20.2	1,490,550
		Mary Kelly (Nonpartisan)	17.0	1,252,692
		Brock Swartzle (Nonpartisan)	13.7	1,009,320
		Susan L. Hubbard (Nonpartisan)	8.3	611,019
		Kerry Lee Morgan (Nonpartisan)	4.6	340,396
		Katie Nepton (Nonpartisan)	3.9	290,377

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 7,371,764
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Michigan Supreme Court (2 seats)

Incumbent Bridget Mary McCormack and Elizabeth Welch advanced from the Democratic convention for Michigan Supreme Court on August 29, 2020.

		Candidate
✔		Bridget Mary McCormack (D)
✔		Elizabeth Welch (D)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican convention

Republican convention for Michigan Supreme Court (2 seats)

Mary Kelly and Brock Swartzle advanced from the Republican convention for Michigan Supreme Court on August 29, 2020.

		Candidate
✔		Mary Kelly (R)
✔		Brock Swartzle (R)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Michigan Supreme Court (2 seats)

Kerry Lee Morgan and Katie Nepton advanced from the Libertarian convention for Michigan Supreme Court on July 18, 2020.

		Candidate
✔		Kerry Lee Morgan (L)
✔		Katie Nepton (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Candidate profiles

Elizabeth Welch

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I began my legal career 25 years ago, practicing employment law first with two large law firms and then started my own practice in 2004. My current work has focused heavily upon COVID-19 in the workplace, safety issues, and unemployment issues. I also have handled criminal law matters and abuse/neglect matters and have worked extensively as an unpaid advocate on issues involving conservation, voting rights, and public education. I have served on the boards of numerous non-profit and advocacy organizations in Michigan. I currently serve as Vice President of the Steelcase Foundation, Trustee on the Grand Valley University Foundation, and am a member of the School Finance Research Collaborative (which studied the true cost to educate a child in Michigan). My past service includes Vice President of my local Board of Education, board/leadership positions with the Grand Rapids Bar Association, Women Lawyers, and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, and election protection work with NAACP WIN and the GR Mayor's Task Force. My husband, Brian Schwartz, and I have four kids in our blended family. Our oldest son is a United States Air Force Academy graduate (now serving), and our other two sons and daughter are in college."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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My work, nonprofit, and advocacy experience will bring an important perspective to our State's highest Court. We need justices who understand frontline issues and who have a proven track record of serving the people of our State.

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We need justices who will lead on important changes to the justice system. We need to continue the hard work of addressing disparities in our criminal justice system and the access to justice crisis (lack of counsel) in our civil justice system. Our justices should lead on these important issues. My work the past 15 years has been largely devoted to fighting for fairness for everyone. The work of the courts should be the same.

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Our court system must be accessible and transparent. Important technological changes were forced upon the system due to the public health crisis. Many of these changes were long overdue and should remain in place to allow the public easier access to the court system (whether as a participant or viewer). If elected, I will work to keep these improvements in place.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Michigan Supreme Court in 2020.

Campaign themes

2020

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released September 9, 2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Elizabeth Welch completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Welch's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I began my legal career 25 years ago, practicing employment law first with two large law firms and then started my own practice in 2004. My current work has focused heavily upon COVID-19 in the workplace, safety issues, and unemployment issues. I also have handled criminal law matters and abuse/neglect matters and have worked extensively as an unpaid advocate on issues involving conservation, voting rights, and public education.

I have served on the boards of numerous non-profit and advocacy organizations in Michigan. I currently serve as Vice President of the Steelcase Foundation, Trustee on the Grand Valley University Foundation, and am a member of the School Finance Research Collaborative (which studied the true cost to educate a child in Michigan). My past service includes Vice President of my local Board of Education, board/leadership positions with the Grand Rapids Bar Association, Women Lawyers, and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, and election protection work with NAACP WIN and the GR Mayor's Task Force.

My husband, Brian Schwartz, and I have four kids in our blended family. Our oldest son is a United States Air Force Academy graduate (now serving), and our other two sons and daughter are in college.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• My work, nonprofit, and advocacy experience will bring an important perspective to our State's highest Court. We need justices who understand frontline issues and who have a proven track record of serving the people of our State.
• We need justices who will lead on important changes to the justice system. We need to continue the hard work of addressing disparities in our criminal justice system and the access to justice crisis (lack of counsel) in our civil justice system. Our justices should lead on these important issues. My work the past 15 years has been largely devoted to fighting for fairness for everyone. The work of the courts should be the same.
• Our court system must be accessible and transparent. Important technological changes were forced upon the system due to the public health crisis. Many of these changes were long overdue and should remain in place to allow the public easier access to the court system (whether as a participant or viewer). If elected, I will work to keep these improvements in place.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I have spent over 15 years working on public education policy in the State of Michigan, advocating for laws and funding that would provide support to ensure all kids get the education they deserve. I also have spent the past 5 years working on election protection issues through training volunteers for election day, communicating with local clerks, and advocating for greater voter outreach. As a final matter, I was a longtime Board member of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and served as its President during my tenure. In that capacity, I supported important protections for Michigan's land, air, and water. I have long worked in spaces that focus on changing the root-cause of a problem to ensure better outcomes for more people. If elected, I would bring these same skills to the Supreme Court to work on criminal justice and access-to-justice reforms within the court system.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

The late Congressman John Lewis remains an inspiration. His longtime devotion to civil rights was not just inspiring, but it was effective. From his non-violent protests early in his life to his long-time service as the "conscience of the Congress," his devotion to our nation deeply impacted lives and made our nation a better place. His persistence, patience, ability to work with others who disagreed with him, and extraordinary ability to forgive exemplify the best that democracy can offer as far as leadership. We can believe strongly in our convictions but still find common ground with those with whom we disagree. Ultimately, it is the only way democracy can function. In the appellate system, a group of judges have to collectively make a decision on an issue. They will not always agree, but they must disagree without being disagreeable to ensure the integrity of the justice system. Beyond its decision-making function, the justices have the capacity to work together to make the judiciary function better and more fairly.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Anyone elected to office must be accessible and available to the voters. They should serve with empathy and humility and have respect for those they serve (even if disagreeing with them). Our elected leaders should be intellectually curious and open minded. Excellent elected officials are regularly present in the community they serve throughout their terms (not just during election years) and find ways that they can contribute beyond their daily job duties. Elected officials should work to make the system they serve fair, accessible, and transparent. Our democracy only operates well when those it serves believe those serving them do so ethically and with integrity.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My law practice, nonprofit service, and advocacy over the last 25 years all worked towards the goal of ensuring full access and participation in the systems that we offer our citizens. My diverse background working with both small businesses and with individuals also will bring a balanced lens to matters before the Court. I believe our court system must function in a manner that it is fully accessible to every person, regardless of background, and operate in a manner that is fair and just. "Fair and just" means that every person must have true equal access to the system and each matter be viewed without bias or prejudice. I believe my reputation as a bridge-builder, someone who "gets things done," someone who is open minded, and someone who can work on complex problems will add value to the Supreme Court.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first paid job (beyond babysitting) was working at a women's retail store in high school (but I also spent prior summers helping my family work "sidewalk sales" at the store owned by my grandparents and aunt). Beyond learning how to properly fold a shirt, I learned valuable customer relations skills. I worked there for approximately one year.

What is your favorite book? Why?

As a lover of historic fiction, it's impossible to settle upon one book. That said, I regularly recommend one of my favorite books, The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson as "must read nonfiction." The true stories captured read easily and provide an intimate portrait of several families who made up the Great Migration - the mass movement of black people from the South to northern states and California as new job opportunities were available. Written in 2010, the book provides an important history lesson for our nation. It is a deeply American story - the story of seeking better opportunities for our children, the story of moving for better jobs, the story of race and racism, and the story of every family-joy and heartbreak-across generations.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Yes! Voters frequently overlook the importance of the judicial branch. It's the branch in our democracy that solves a dispute between the Governor and Legislature, decides if a law is constitutional, and interprets laws when there is an ambiguity in a statute. Its decisions directly impact lives with regard to water, voting, property, education, health, workplace safety, and criminal justice-to name just a few. Additionally, the Michigan Supreme Court has an administrative oversight function with respect to all the courts in the State. It can have a profound impact by leading on important changes to the criminal and civil justice systems and how both function on a daily level for people in our State.

Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?

While I could certainly expound upon the impact of a US Supreme Court Justice, I want to focus instead upon the most important part of our judicial system-the trial court level. Trial courts are the access point for our justice system and are where most justice starts and ends. The experience people have in Michigan's District or Circuit Courts shapes their view of the Judicial Branch as a whole. In Kentwood, Michigan, Judge William Kelly has dutifully served his community for over 40 years (he is retiring this year due to Michigan's age limits for judges). He is thoughtful, kind, respectful to every litigant, adaptable, and deeply engaged in his community. He was an early implementor of technology (integrating it with intention into the new courthouse) and mediation programs to resolve disputes. He additionally has devoted countless hours to the youth in his socio-economically diverse community. Significantly, he is kind to parties in cases, respectful to attorneys, and exudes empathy from the bench, even when rendering difficult decisions. Judge Kelly represents the best of judicial service and is a shining example of the positive impact the judiciary can have upon its community.

How does your state’s supreme court serve as part of the state government’s checks and balances?

As the final interpreter of the state constitution and state statutes, and the final arbiter of legal disputes involving any person and any state or local government entity or official, the Supreme Court is a vital part of the system of checks and balances, providing a check on government conduct and ensuring that the balance between the branches is maintained. A free and independent judiciary exercising those important responsibilities on behalf of the people is a hallmark of American democracy and our system of government cannot function without it. For example, if the Executive (Governor) takes an action and the Legislature disagrees with that action, the two branches can either reach a compromise or a lawsuit results, leaving the judiciary to resolve the dispute. This is particularly front and center in states across the nation right now given there are disputes over the scope of executive orders issued by governors in light of public health crisis.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

State supreme court judicial selection in Michigan

See also: Judicial selection in Michigan

The seven justices of the Michigan Supreme Court are chosen by the Michigan method in which a partisan nomination is followed by nonpartisan elections. Incumbent judges seeking re-election may file an affidavit of candidacy requesting to be placed on the ballot, while non-incumbent candidates must either file a nominating petition or obtain a partisan nomination at a party convention. Incumbency is noted on the ballot, though party affiliation is not. Judges serve eight-year terms and must be re-elected if they wish to remain on the court.

Qualifications

To be elected to the supreme court, a judge must:

• be a qualified elector;
• be licensed to practice law in the state;
• have at least five years of law practice experience;
• be under the age of 70.

Chief justice

The chief justice of the court is elected by his or her fellow justices and serves a two-year term

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state supreme courts

In the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor appoints a temporary replacement to serve until the next general election. At the governor's request, the state bar's standing committee on judicial qualifications interviews, evaluates, and rates all candidates, submitting a confidential report to the governor. However, the governor is not required to request candidates from the committee, nor is the governor bound by the committee's evaluations.

The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.