Mary Beth Kelly
MI · Judge, Family-Domestic Division, Wayne County Third Circuit Court
Mary Beth Kelly is a Wayne County family court judge who served on that bench from 1999 to 2010, including as its first woman chief judge. She was a Michigan Supreme Court justice from 2011 to 2015 and earlier a commercial litigation partner at Dickinson Wright.
Where Mary Beth Kelly stands, based on their records
Supports
Civil Rights (1 record)
Campaign finance information not available
Track record
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 1 support
During her earlier Third Circuit chief-judge tenure, Mary Beth Kelly implemented a law-firm model for appointed counsel in juvenile cases, established the Friend of the Court Call Center, and partnered with the National Center for State Courts on jury-pool racial diversity.
March 28, 2017Supports Civil Rights
Source: 3rdcc.org · researched July 13, 2026
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 4 favorable
As a private arbitrator, Mary Beth Kelly issued a final award in favor of AM General affiliate Humvee Export on all claims in a commercial dispute over vehicle-assembly agreements.
December 21, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: govinfo.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Mary Beth Kelly authored the lead opinion in Stand Up for Democracy v. Secretary of State, requiring actual compliance with referendum-petition type requirements while directing certification of the petition.
August 3, 2012Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched July 13, 2026
Mary Beth Kelly authored People v. Likine, holding that inability to pay alone is not a defense to felony nonsupport while recognizing the common-law defense of impossibility in exceptional circumstances.
July 31, 2012Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched July 13, 2026
Mary Beth Kelly authored the unanimous People v. Kolanek opinion interpreting Michigan's medical-marijuana affirmative defense, including when a physician's statement must precede an alleged offense.
May 31, 2012Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: law.justia.com · researched July 13, 2026
Track record — General
General · 1 record
The Wayne County Commission adopted a resolution opposing Chief Judge Mary Beth Kelly's proposed centralized assignment of counsel for indigent defendants and urging her to keep the existing assignment system.
May 20, 2004
Source: waynecountymi.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Race Mary Beth Kelly is in:
- 3rd Circuit Judge of Circuit Court - Incumbent - 6 Year Terms · November 3, 2026 · Wayne County, Michigan · incumbent
Profile last researched August 7, 2026.