Judges

Hon. Patricia A. Morse, Chief Judge

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

Morse received her B.A. from Jacksonville University and her J.D. 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.

Since court reorganization, her docket includes felony pleas and sentences along with misdemeanors and civil cases under $25,000. 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".

Off the bench, she quilts, plays piano and builds primitive buildings with her husband, Arnie. She has two married children and one grandchild.

Hon. Janet M. Allen, Trial Judge

Janet M. Allen was appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm to the Circuit Court bench in September 2005. She replaced Judge Alton T. Davis, whom the Governor appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals.

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 has 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 is a member of the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, 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. Lynne M. Buday, Trial Judge

Lynne M. Buday, was appointed by Governor John Engler to the Probate bench in Kalkaska County in March, 1998. She was elected to fill the vacancy in November, 1998.

Judge Buday is a 1975 graduate from Interlochen Arts Academy and a 1979 graduate from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in May, 1983, and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in July, 1983.

She was formerly an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Grand Traverse County until her appointment to the bench. In 1996 Judge Buday received the Humanitarian Award from Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan for her personal and professional dedication to improving the lives of children and families.

Judge Buday is married to attorney, Christopher L. Buday, and is the mother of three (3) children. Judge Buday resides with her family in Kalkaska County, Michigan.

Hon. Michael K. Cooper, Trial Judge

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, Trial Judge

Dennis F. Murphy is a Trial 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 to assist judges in other counties throughout Northern Michigan. Dennis Murphy is a graduate of the Detroit College of Law.

Judge Murphy is married and has three children.

Administrators

Rudi D. Edel, Trial Court Administrator - Magistrate

Rudi Edel was appointed the Trial Court Administrator of the 46th Circuit Trial Court in May 1996. Prior to that appointment he worked in court administration since September 1977. He also serves as a magistrate for the District Division of the Unified Court.

He serves as faculty for the Michigan Judicial Institute. As a member of the Clerk Training Consortium since its inception, he assists in the development of training programs for court employees throughout the State of Michigan. He also serves on various committees for the State Court Administrator's Office and is a past officer and current director of the Michigan Court Administrator's Association.

He has been involved in a variety of integration projects to streamline data collection and reporting, and to improve service from the criminal justice system. In 1996 Rudi Edel received the "Court Administrator of the Year" award for his successes in these criminal justice projects.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northern Michigan University and a certificate in Religious Telecommunications from the University of Dayton.

He is married, has four children, and makes his home in Gaylord, Michigan.

Thomas M. Haskel, Assistant Trial Court Administrator - Referee

Thomas M. Haskel was appointed the Assistant Trial Court Administrator of the 46th Circuit Trial Court in May 1996. Prior to that appointment he worked in court administration since May 1980. He also serves as a referee for the Family Division of the Unified Court.

He serves as faculty for the Michigan Judicial Institute. He also serves on various committees for the State Court Administrator's Office.

Mr. Haskel received his Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Central Michigan University.

He is married, has three children, and makes his home in Grayling, 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 Assistant 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.

Catherine Vought, Assistant Friend of the Court

Catherine Vought was appointed Assistant Friend of the Court by the Chief Judge in April of 2005. As Assistant 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. Catherine began her career with the 46th Circuit Trial Court as a Case Manager in September, 1997, bringing with her seven years of Friend of the Court case management experience.

Catherine holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and child development from Central Michigan University.