Served from November 17, 2017 through present
Chief Justice: 2022 through present
Justice Elizabeth T. Clement joined the Michigan Supreme Court on November 17, 2017, becoming the 113th Justice and the 11th woman to serve on the bench. Before her appointment by Governor Rick Snyder, she served as chief legal counsel for the Governor, advising him on a wide variety of legal, legislative, and policy matters.
Her duties as chief legal counsel also included working with the Attorney General’s Office on litigation affecting the State of Michigan, negotiating tribal compacts and settlement agreements, and interviewing and recommending appointees to Court of Appeals and Supreme Court judicial vacancies.
She previously held the positions of cabinet secretary and deputy chief of staff, as well as deputy legal counsel in the Governor’s Office.
Clement served as legal counsel for Senate Majority Leader Michael Bishop in 2010 where she provided legal research, analysis, and advice on legislation and management of the office. In addition, she was responsible for the State Senate advice and consent process including providing reports and recommendations on appointees.
As a policy advisor in the Senate Majority Policy Office from 2006 to 2010, Clement provided analysis and research to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senate Health Policy Committee, and the Senate Local and State Affairs Committee.
Clement owned and operated Clement Law, PLLC, from 2002 to 2006, where she represented individuals and businesses primarily in the areas of family law, adoption, probate, estate planning, and criminal law.
Prior to working in private practice, Justice Clement worked as a legislative aide to State Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Rogers.
Clement was licensed to the State Bar of Michigan in 2002. She graduated from the Michigan State University College of Law that same year, where she served as an executive member of the Moot Court Board. She attended Michigan State University on an academic scholarship and graduated in 1999 with a B.A. in political science.
Justice Clement lives with her husband and their four children in East Lansing.