09/05/2026
Hello Everyone:
The case against Judge Debra Nance was dismissed on July 28, 2026. I spoke to Judge Nance recently. She is grateful for everyone's support during this long journey. This incident at the bicycle shop in Mackinac Island happened in 2019 and it took seven years for Judge Nance to get justice. We want to thank the Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, the Association of Black Judges of Michigan, the National Bar Association, the NAACP, the ACLU, the Advocates, the Activists, the Black Ministers and the media. A special shout out to Attorney Mark Fancher, NBA Member and Attorney Nathaniel Lee, Attorney Michael Fortner, Reverend Wendell Anthony, Reverend Horace Sheffield, BWLAM President Dorothy Dean, Past President Delicia Taylor Coleman, Past President Robyn L. McCoy, Past President Angela Williams Evans, BWLAM Parliamentarian Jocelyn Flemons, Representative Reggie Miller, Teferi Brent, Darryl Woods, and everyone who wrote a letter, shared an email, shared a social media post, or attended a Court proceeding or Judicial Tenure Commission hearing to support Judge Nance. We especially want to thank Past NBA President Attorney Benjamin Crump, Past NBA VP Kimberley Ann Ward, Past NBA President Dominic Calhoun, Past NBA President Wiley Adams and current NBA President James Carter for their words of encouragement and support. Judge Nance also wants to thank members of the National Bar Association/Judicial Council from across the country for "keeping eyes" on this challenge and "well wishes" in their hearts. This has been a long journey for Judge Nance. I will share a recent article written by Attorney Dorothy Dean, our current BWLAM President, and myself, entitled "Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Continues Its Pursuit of Judicial Fairness about Michigan's Pursuit of Judicial Fairness".
A special committee is being formed to ensure that fairness in the treatment of African American Judges by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission.
For Judge Demetria Brue's case, the recommendation was a nine-month suspension from the bench without pay. BWLAM's concern with these cases is ensuring fair treatment of African American Judges whose cases come before the Judicial Tenure Commission. Undoubtedly, the Judicial Tenure Commission is necessary for Judges who put on the "Black Robe" and develop a "God Complex" where they don't follow the rules or the law. However, BWLAM's concern is ensuring parity in how the Judicial Tenure Commission treats African American Judges: that they are given the opportunity to resolve these matters outside of the public eye, that services are offered for judges facing mental or physical health challenges and that the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission pursues mediation before resorting to expensive trials at the public's expense. Judges seated in Michigan and perhaps in other states (and the future judges among us) need and deserve a "more just" process. But others cannot assist or support us, if the current process is allowed to depend upon our collective silence. For those of you, who spoke up about Judge Nance and Judge Brue's respective cases. For those of you who want to help with Judge Brue's case, feel free to email us at: [email protected].
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Sincerely,
Robyn L. McCoy, Corresponding Secretary and Past President
Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan
