Judges

Judges

Hon. Patricia A. Morse, 87-A District Court Chief Judge

As Chief Judge, Judge Morse is responsible for all administrative, personnel, and policy matters involving the District court. Judge Morse also maintains a full case schedule.

Patricia Morse received her Bachelor of Arts from Jacksonville University and her Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School. She practiced criminal and family law prior to her election in 1990 to a rural, three-county district in northern Michigan.

Her docket includes preliminary hearings on felonies, all misdemeanors, landlord tenant disputes, and civil disputes of less than $25,000. She began a drug court in 2008, which is an effort to rehabilitate those defendants who are addicted to alcohol or drugs. The drug court participants meet with Judge Morse weekly for encouragement or sanctions. "It is emotional, sad, sometimes funny, always challenging. I know much more about drug abuse than I ever wanted to know."

She particularly likes the variety and pace of district court, although she is assigned as needed to family and circuit court. "Jury trials are my favorite. I enjoy interacting with jurors and watching the lawyers match their skills."

Judge Morse resides in Otsego County with her husband Arnie, has two married children and four grandsons. She enjoys quilting, playing piano, and building primitive buildings with her husband.

Hon. Janet M. Allen, 46th Circuit Court Chief Judge

As Chief Judge, Judge Allen is responsible for all administrative, personnel and policy matters involving the circuit court. Judge Allen also maintains a full case schedule.

Janet M. Allen was appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm to the Circuit Court bench in September 2005. She successfully stood for election in 2006 and was appointed as the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court in July 2008.

Judge Allen received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1973 and her Juris Doctor degree from the Detroit College of Law in 1979.

Judge Allen clerked for the late Honorable Blair Moody, Jr., on the Michigan Supreme Court from 1979 to 1982. Since 1982, she had a private practice in Gaylord, which encompassed domestic relations cases involving divorce, custody and paternity, as well as plaintiff personal injury and general civil litigation and practiced in all three counties of the 46th Circuit.

Judge Allen has served on the following Michigan Supreme Court Committees – Dispute Resolution Court Rule Committee and the Trial Court Performance Committee. She is a member of several professional associations and has served on several State Bar of Michigan Committees throughout her legal career. She remains actively involved in community boards and activities and resides in Gaylord with her husband, James C. Smith, Jr.

Hon. Michael K. Cooper, Otsego County Probate Court Chief Judge

As Chief Judge, Judge Cooper is responsible for all administrative, personnel, and policy matters involving the probate court. Judge Cooper also maintains a full case schedule.

Michael K. Cooper was appointed by Governor John Engler to the Probate bench in Otsego County in March 2000.

He is a graduate of Hope College. Judge Cooper received his Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University. He was a former court officer for the 48th District Court in Michigan and was a pre-hearing attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals from 1978 to 1979. Since 1979 he was in private practice as a law partner with the firm of Dubois, Westerman and Cooper located in Gaylord. He specialized in Family Law. In 1999 he practiced law with the firm of Plunket and Cooney.

Judge Cooper resides with his family in Otsego County.

Hon. Dennis F. Murphy, Circuit Judge

Dennis is a Circuit Court Judge serving Crawford, Kalkaska, and Otsego Counties. He primarily hears cases in the Circuit Division, and he regularly assists with the dockets in the District Division, Probate Division, and Family Division in Grayling, Kalkaska and Gaylord. In addition, he is often appointed by the Supreme Court Administrative Office to assist judges in other counties throughout Northern Michigan. Dennis is a graduate of the Detroit College of Law, now known as the Michigan State University College of Law. Judge Murphy is married and has three children.

Administrator

Victoria Courterier, Court Administrator - Magistrate

Vicki Courterier was appointed the Trial Court Administrator of the 46th Circuit Court, 87-A District Court and the Otsego County Probate Court in March of 2009. Prior to that appointment, she worked in court administration since January of 2001. She also serves as a magistrate for the District Court.

She is a member of the Michigan Circuit Court Administrators Association as well as the Michigan Court Administrators Association and is an officer on that board.

She is a graduate of the Michigan State University Judicial Administration Program and has been a life-long Gaylord resident.

She is married, has two children and continues to make her home in Gaylord, Michigan.

Friend of the Court

Mrs. Amy Neubecker, Friend of the Court

Amy Neubecker began her career with the Friend of the Court in October of 1985. Prior to her appointment as Assistant Friend of the Court in July of 1995, her focus was in the area of case management and contested custody and parenting time issues. As Friend of the Court she is responsible for supervision of all case management related tasks, assists in policy and program development, and other administrative functions.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from Eastern Michigan University.