Pontiac,
Michigan
Hon. Joan E. Young was first elected probate judge in November 1988 and appointed circuit judge by Governor John Engler in 1997. She is currently assigned to the Oakland County Circuit Court - Family Division. Over the years, Judge Young has served as chief judge of the 52nd District Court, chief judge of the Oakland County Probate Court, chief judge of the Oakland County Circuit Court, and presiding judge of the Family Division. She currently chairs the Family Law Committee of the Michigan Judges Association. Judge Young serves on the Michigan Supreme Court's Access to Court Records Committee, Central Registry Workgroup, and Academic Advisory Committee. She has been the recipient of several awards, including the Congressional Coalition on Adoption's "Angels in Adoption Award" and the Women's Survival Center's "Wonder Woman Award." In April 2007 the Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Oakland County created the annual "Hon. Joan E. Young Foster Parent of the Year" award. She was honored in October 2009 with the "Champion for Justice Award" from Common Ground Legal Services, the Family Law Assistance Project of Lakeshore Legal Aid, and Cooley Law School in recognition of her consistent voice in advocating for access to legal services for all those in need in Oakland County. Judge Young has been a frequent lecturer on court reform, juvenile justice reform, financial issues affecting juveniles, and adoption reform.
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