Justice, Michigan Supreme Court
Spirit of UDM: Alumni Achievement Award
2014
Bio:
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian K. Zahra ’87 is respected not only as an arbiter of justice but also as a community leader. Zahra received his undergraduate degree in 1984 from Wayne State University and graduated with honors in 1987 from the University of Detroit School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review and served as Articles Editor of the State Bar of Michigan’s Corporation and Finance Business Law Journal. He also taught evidence as an adjunct professor. After graduating, he became a law clerk to Judge Lawrence Zatkoff of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. In 1989, he joined the law firm of Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen & Freeman.
Governor John Engler appointed Zahra to the Wayne County Circuit Court in 1994. Two years later, Zahra was elected to a six-year term on the circuit court. In December 1998, Governor Engler appointed him to the Michigan Court of Appeals where he was elected to two consecutive six-year terms, beginning in 2000. From December 2005 to January 2007, he served as the Court of Appeals’ Chief Judge Pro Tem. Justice Zahra was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court on January 14, 2011 by Governor Rick Snyder, and he won election to the Court in November 2012.
Zahra has served on many professional and legislative committees, including the Michigan Civil Jury Instructions Committee, the Circuit Court Appellate Rules Committee, the Domestic Violence Legislation Implementation Task Force and the advisory committee for the Michigan Judicial Institute Domestic Violence Benchbook. He also served on the Michigan Board of Law Examiners, which drafts and grades the examination that law school graduates must pass to become licensed attorneys.
Zahra is active in many civic and charitable organizations. He has been involved with Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Kiwanis Club International, Leadership Detroit, the Knights of Columbus, the Maltese American Community Club, and the Maltese American Benevolent Society, of which he is a past officer. He is a board member and former officer of the Catholic Lawyers Society, and is a member of the Federalist Society, having served as secretary and vice-president of the Michigan chapter.
Justice Zahra resides in Northville Township with his wife, Suzanne.
Distinguished graduate of the School of Law, Justice Zahra was honored with the Spirit of UDM: alumni Achievement Award on April 11, 2014.
Citation:
Justice Zahra was appointed by the Governor as Michigan Supreme Court Justice in 2011, and elected by popular vote in 2012. A dedicated jurist, he served four years on the Wayne County Circuit Court before being appointed and elected twice to the Michigan Court of Appeals, where he served with distinction for 12 years, including two years as the Chief Judge Pro Tem.
An unwavering advocate for quality legal education, he taught at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and served on the Michigan Board of Law Examiners, which administers the examination that law school graduates must pass.
As an exemplary judge, he is respected for his mastery of the law and commitment to equality and justice, as well as for his service on many professional and legislative committees.
He is an active volunteer who generously contributes his time and talents to numerous charitable organizations, including Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Kiwanis Club International, Catholic Lawyers Society and the Federalist Society.