Judicial excellence: Judge Alexander receives 2017 Hilda Gage Award

Oakland County Circuit Court Judge James Alexander (center) was recently awarded the 2017 Hilda Gage Judicial Excellence Award at the Michigan Judges Association Annual Meeting.  On hand to congratulate him were (left to right) Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Tracey Yokich, incoming Michigan Judges Association president; Lynn Alexander; Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Colleen O’Brien; and Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Wendy Potts.

– Photo courtesy of Oakland County Circuit Court

Oakland County Circuit Court Judge James Alexander was recently honored at the Michigan Judges Association Annual Meeting with the 2017 Hilda Gage Judicial Excellence Award. This award is named after the late Court of Appeals and Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Hilda Gage and was created to recognize judicial excellence. At the event Alexander received a warm and touching introduction from his son, Scott, through a video message to the audience.

The Judicial Excellence Award recognizes circuit and Court of Appeals judges who have excelled in trial and docket management, legal scholarship, and contributions to the profession and the community. The award honors current or former judges who serve their profession and their communities with integrity, skill, and courage every day.

Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Colleen O’Brien stated, “Having worked closely with Judge Alexander for many years, as both a circuit court judge and an officer in the Michigan Judges Association, I can state without hesitation that his many valuable contributions and tireless efforts have greatly benefited our profession in numerous way.” O’Brien went on to say, “He is most deserving of the award our association has bestowed upon him.”

Alexander is currently assigned to the Oakland County Business Court. In September 2001, he was appointed to the Circuit Court by Governor John Engler.  At the time of his appointment, Alexander was serving on the governor’s staff in the position of director of the Governor’s Southeast Michigan Office. He has served as chairman of the Oakland County Bar Association’s Legislative Committee and is a past chancellor of the Inns of Court program.  In addition to his local bar activities, he is a past president of the Michigan Judges Association, where he currently co-chairs the Civil Law Committee.  He also serves on the State Bar of Michigan’s Judicial Council.

His community involvement included positions with Committees at Central Michigan University and Walsh College. He also has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Michigan Thanksgiving Day Parade Foundation and on the Board of the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Jewish Vocational Service.

His prior governmental service includes eight years on the Board of State Canvassers and a term on Brooks Patterson’s County Executive’s Ethics Commission. Prior to joining the Engler Administration, Alexander was a shareholder at the Michigan law firm Foster, Swift, Collins, and Smith where he led the Government Relations Practice Group.
 

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