Justice Mary Beth Kelly, Chair of the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice (MCJJ), has been appointed to the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ).

Justice Kelly will serve as the primary member for Jurisdiction I, which includes Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. During her two-year term, she will play an important role in conveying the FACJJ’s perspectives on juvenile justice issues to the President, Members of Congress, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s (OJJDP) Administrator.

“It is an honor to be appointed to FACJJ and serve with some of the brightest minds in the area of juvenile justice,” Justice Kelly said.” I look forward to working with the committee to address the needs of system-involved children and youth, and those at risk for involvement in the juvenile justice system.

FACJJ is a consultative body that was established by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act in 2002. The committee advises the President and Congress on matters related to juvenile justice, evaluates the progress and accomplishments of juvenile justice activities and projects, and advises the OJJDP Administrator on the work of OJJDP.

Justice Kelly is currently vice chair of Bodman’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution practice group. Her practice focuses on business litigation, government relations, and public affairs.  Prior to joining Bodman, Justice Kelly served on the Michigan Supreme Court from 2011-2015.  She also served on the Wayne County Circuit Court from 1999-2010.  During her tenure at the Wayne County Circuit Court, she was appointed to Chief Judge.  She served three terms, and remains the only woman to serve as Chief Judge of that court.  She has written critical opinions that protect the rights of children.  She wrote a dissenting opinion in People vs. Carp, which would have applied retroactively the constitutional requirement that juvenile offenders must receive an individual sentencing determination.

In 2015, Governor Snyder appointed Justice Kelly as Chair of the MCJJ. She has also served as Chairperson for many statewide committees that focus on child welfare and family matters.  Justice Kelly graduated from the Notre Dame Law School and graduated with honors from the University of Michigan Dearborn.