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Judge Helene N. White

U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

  • Judge Helene N. White was confirmed on June 24, 2008, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, which hears appeals from the federal district courts of Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.
  • Judge White is an experienced and highly qualified judge, who is known for her intellect, work ethic, and demeanor.
  • Judge White has a distinguished record serving as a judge in the state of Michigan for over 25 years.
    • In 1992, Judge White was elected to the Michigan Court of Appeals, 1st District, where she served until her appointment to the Sixth Circuit. The Court of Appeals serves as an "intermediate" appellate court between the Michigan Supreme Court and Michigan trial courts with jurisdiction over criminal and civil matters.
    • From 1983 to 1993, Judge White served as a judge on the Wayne County Circuit Court, a court of general trial jurisdiction and limited appellate jurisdiction, including contract and insurance disputes, products liability, medical malpractice, employment discrimination, civil rights, general personal injury, divorce and child custody, criminal felony cases and appeals from district courts and administrative agencies.
    • In 1980, Judge White was elected as a Common Pleas Court Judge for the City of Detroit. In 1981, the court became the 36th District Court of Michigan and Judge White served on that court until 1983. The District Court was a trial court of limited civil and criminal jurisdiction, including misdemeanors, traffic and ordinance violations, small claims, and limited civil suits.
  • Judge White possesses impressive academic credentials.
    • Judge White graduated from Barnard College with an A.B. and received her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1978.
  • Judge White is heavily involved in the legal community and is highly active in philanthropic organizations that serve the greater Detroit community.
    • Judge White has been a member of the Michigan Court of Appeals Rules Committee, American Bar Association's Judicial Administration Division, American Judicature Society, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Detroit Bar Association, National Association of Women Judges, and the Michigan Judges Association.
    • Judge White serves as a board member to the JVS (formerly the Jewish Vocational Services), the Detroit Institute of Arts, Michigan Legal Services, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, American Jewish Committee, Metropolitan Detroit Young Women's Christian Association, and COTS (Coalition on Temporary Shelter), an organization that provides temporary shelter, longer term care, and transitional housing for those in need.