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AJP
Exclusive!
The Wall Street Journal has called the
Michigan Supreme Court the “finest court in the land.” In this
interview, AJP's Kristyn Shayon discusses with Michigan’s Chief Justice
Cliff Taylor some of the factors which must have been considered by the
Wall Street Journal before making such a statement.
Using the Michigan Supreme Court as the
example, Chief Justice Taylor discusses the role of a Supreme Court
justice and how a court’s judicial philosophy, not political philosophy,
impacts a court’s decisions. Also discussed is the way in which we
select our judges including elections, as well as the impact of White v.
Minnesota Republican Party on robust debate during political campaigns,
and merit selection.
Chief Justice Taylor has served on the
Michigan Supreme Court for ten years, and will stand for re-election to
a 8-year term in November 2008. Prior to being appointed to the Michigan
Supreme Court by former Governor John Engler, Chief Justice Taylor
served 5 years on the Michigan Court of Appeals. Chief Justice Taylor’s
professional activities include service on the Board of Directors of the
National Conference of Chief Justices, and on the Board of the George
Mason University Law and Economics Center which provides judicial
education across the country. He served in the past on the Michigan
Legislature’s Commission on the Courts in the 21st Century, and on the
Michigan State Board of Law Examiners. He is the co-author of a
three-volume work, "Torts," which covers personal injury law in
Michigan. |
