Mariko Willis and Christine Morse, both of Kalamazoo, are contending for a new judgeship in Kalamazoo County’s 9th Circuit Court. The 8-year post pays an annual salary of $172,135.
Christine Morse
Christine Morse is a candidate for 9th Circuit Court judge in Kalamazoo County. She attended Wayne State University Law School and has been licensed in the State of Michigan since 1999. Christine has experience in both criminal and civil litigation. She interned for St. Clair and Berrien County prosecutors’ offices and for Federal District Judge Gerald E. Rosen of the Eastern District of Michigan. Christine practiced birth trauma litigation in Detroit. Due to her husband’s military service, Christine moved to California in 1999 where she passed the bar, practiced medical malpractice litigation and subsequently worker’s compensation law. Christine is currently serving as state representative for Michigan’s 40th House District. She is chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee for Health and Human Services. She is a member of the Michigan Supreme Court’s Child Legal Representation Task Force. She was Michigan Guardianship Association’s 2023 Legislator of the Year. If elected, protecting victims’ rights and community safety will be Christine’s priorities as well as continued criminal justice reform. Acting with integrity and applying fairness in all matters before her will guide her decision-making. She intends to make the courtroom a less intimidating place, and connect individuals with the resources they need to succeed.
Mariko Willis
As a candidate for the new 9th Circuit Court judge position, I bring a distinguished background marked by both military service and legal expertise. I am a United States Marine having served over 13 years of active and reserve duty. I have worked with Willis Law for 14 years, working my way up through the ranks from legal assistant to attorney/Chief Operations Officer and now as an of counsel lawyer to the firm. In 2022, I established my own law practice, Fidelis Counselor at Law, with the intent to work specifically with veterans, law enforcement, the elderly, those who cannot afford legal services, and those who cannot physically make it to an attorney’s office. I have been recognized as a Rising Star in Super Lawyers for five consecutive years, an honor reserved for only 2.5% of practicing attorneys in the State of Michigan. A vote for me signifies support for equality, impartiality, and adherence to the rule of law, promising a judiciary characterized by diligence, empathy, and a steadfast commitment to justice. Vote for legal excellence, not political influence. Vote for Mariko Willis on November 5!
