Judge Kristen D. Simmons was appointed by the Governor to the 54-A District Court of Lansing in September 2019. Judge Simmons has deep roots in the community, and has long been dedicated to a life of public service. Her experience includes serving as Litigation Manager for the Michigan Department of Corrections, a former Assistant Attorney General, former Assistant City Attorney and Legal Advisor to the Lansing Police Department, and former Public Defense Counsel in Ingham County, MI.
She brings to the bench robust litigation and trial experience, having litigated countless civil lawsuits before the United States Federal Courts. In 2013, she championed efforts to create a law clinic in collaboration with Lansing Community College and Legal Services of South Central Michigan with the goal of providing legal resources to low-income families.
Judge Simmons was awarded “Nation’s Best Advocate”: Top 40 Lawyers under 40, by the National Bar Association in 2021, “Top 40 under Forty” by Hampton University in 2020, Ingham County’s Top 5 Attorney under 35 in 2017, and the Rising Star Attorney by the Davis-Dunnings Bar Association in 2015.
Judge Simmons serves as a Commissioner for the State Bar of Michigan. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Links, Incorporated, the Association of Black Judges-MI, Michigan District Judges Association, The National Bar Association, Women’s Lawyer Association, the Ingham County Bar Association and she is a Past-President of the Davis-Dunnings Bar Association.
When she is not wearing a robe, Judge Simmons serves as director of the youth choir at her local church, where she also serves on the worship team. She is a certified Zumba instructor. She also serves as a mentor to many youth and young professionals.
For more information or to support Judge Kristen Simmons: https://www.votejudgesimmons.com/
