Michigan Supreme Court Requires Use of Preferred Pronouns in Court, Documents - Articles

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Michigan Supreme Court Requires Use of Preferred Pronouns in Court, Documents

Posted by: Paul Burch on Sep 28, 2023

Michigan has become the first state to require judges to refer to attorneys by their preferred pronouns, reports Reuters. The Michigan Supreme Court approved 5-2 yesterday a rule that allows attorneys to include their preferred forms of address or pronouns in the captions of court documents and requires judges to use those terms “or other respectful means” when referring to those attorneys either in court or in documents. The rule goes into effect Jan. 1, 2024. Justice Kyra Bolden wrote in her concurrence that the new rule sends a message that Michigan courts are welcoming and inclusive.