CHANDRA BAKER-ROBINSON: A NON-TRADITIONAL JOURNEY TO THE BENCH
Cleveland-born Chandra Baker-Robinson (JD’03) came to Detroit as a child and adopted the city’s ethos of hard work and grit as her own – first as a high-achieving Cass Tech student and then at the University of Michigan.

Propelling First-Generation Students to New Heights, One Success at a Time

Judge Baker-Robinson joins the Wayne County Jail Outreach Ministry Board

Judge Chandra W. Baker-Robinson has joined the Board of Directors of the Wayne County Jail Outreach Ministry (WCJOM). The WCJOM is an interfaith 501(c)3 nonprofit, supporting religious services for inmates while housed at the Wayne County Jail, regardless of denomination. The organization also helps returning citizens rejoin society with clothing, food, job placement, and mentoring.

Third Circuit Court July 2024 eNewsletter

Chandra W. Baker-Robinson was born in Cleveland and came to Detroit as a child. She attended the University of Michigan and earned a law degree in 2003. She joined the Board of Directors of the Wayne County Jail Outreach Ministry.

Propelling First-Generation Students to New Heights, One Success ...

Criminal - Third Circuit Court

Chandra was born in Cleveland and came to Detroit as a child. She attended the University of Michigan and earned a law degree in 2003. She joined the Board of Directors of the Wayne County Jail Outreach Ministry.

But in addition to being a first-gen student, Baker-Robinson was also a non-traditional one, coming to Wayne Law at age 36 after a career in pharmaceutical sales. A loan covering tuition and housing expenses was key to her being able to enroll, but a challenge remained in supporting herself during the summer.

The former pharmaceutical sales representative was hired for a summer associate position at Miller Canfield during her second year at Wayne Law and then again the following summer. Those summer associate roles led to a full-time associate position at Miller Canfield. But while working for a prestigious law firm was rewarding both professionally and financially, Baker-Robinson felt driven to make a difference in the heart of the community.

Those summer associate roles led to a full-time associate position at Miller Canfield. But while working for a prestigious law firm was rewarding both professionally and financially, Baker-Robinson felt driven to make a difference in the heart of the community. That led to her leaving the firm after five years to work for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

Chandra W. Baker-Robinson worked in pharmaceutical sales, served as an associate at Miller Canfield, and worked for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

Chandra worked in pharmaceutical sales, served as an associate at Miller Canfield, and worked for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

Going back to school at age 36 was a challenge, especially in a demanding law school environment, and Baker-Robinson admits “it took a lot of work to understand legal thinking and procedure.” Yet she persisted and benefited from internships and clerkships, including one with US District Judge Victoria Roberts of the Eastern District of Michigan. That experience influenced Baker-Robinson to run for and be elected as a Judge in the Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan in 2020.

Chandra was elected to Michigan's Third Judicial Circuit Court in 2020.

Chandra W. Baker-Robinson was elected to Michigan's Third Judicial Circuit Court in 2020.

2026 Michigan General Election

Nonpartisan

That led to her leaving the firm after five years to work for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. There she excelled not only on the prosecutorial front – winning a 2018 “Prosecutor of the Year” award from the International Association of Arson Investigators – but as a supervisor working with her staff and defense counsel to find the best resolution for all parties.

Elected to the Third Judicial Circuit in 2020, Judge Baker-Robinson is a trial judge in the Criminal Division and has presided in the court’s Adult Drug Treatment Program.

As a prosecutor and supervisor in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, worked with staff and defense counsel to resolve cases.

As a Third Judicial Circuit judge, presides over criminal cases and the Adult Drug Treatment Program.

- As a prosecutor and supervisor in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, worked with staff and defense counsel to resolve cases.
- As a Third Judicial Circuit judge, presides over criminal cases and the Adult Drug Treatment Program.

Legal Experience

As of September 14, 2026, Chandra W. Baker-Robinson did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Joined the Board of Directors of the Wayne County Jail Outreach Ministry, an interfaith nonprofit serving jail inmates and returning citizens.

- Joined the Board of Directors of the Wayne County Jail Outreach Ministry, an interfaith nonprofit serving jail inmates and returning citizens.

Community Involvement

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Chandra W. Baker-Robinson

As of September 14, 2026, Chandra W. Baker-Robinson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

So if you don’t see it do something about it. I have now started what hopefully will continue as an annual outing for the students of my Alma mater, Cass Tech. There is a pilot program that began there under the leadership of Mr. Donald Hightower, called Pathways to Law.

Hon. Chandra W Baker-Robinson’s Post

There is a pilot program that began there under the leadership of Mr. Donald Hightower, called Pathways to Law. It exposes the HS students to careers in the legal field. To make a long story short we organized a field trip to the Criminal Justice Center. However, Cass Tech, as with many public schools did not have the funding for the bus.

Organizes an annual Cass Technical High School outing to the Criminal Justice Center through the Pathways to Law program.

- Organizes an annual Cass Technical High School outing to the Criminal Justice Center through the Pathways to Law program.
- Joined the Board of Directors of the Wayne County Jail Outreach Ministry, an interfaith nonprofit serving jail inmates and returning citizens.

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- A circuit court judge is an elected judicial official who serves in Michigan’s circuit court system, the state’s trial court of general jurisdiction.
- Circuit courts handle major legal matters, including felony criminal cases, large civil lawsuits, family law matters, juvenile cases, and appeals from lower courts and some administrative agencies.
- Michigan circuit court judges are elected in nonpartisan elections and may also be appointed to fill vacancies.
- Judges serve six-year terms and may run for reelection.
- Candidates must be licensed attorneys authorized to practice law in Michigan, admitted to practice for at least five years, qualified electors within the judicial circuit, and under 70 years old at the time of election or appointment.
- The salary of a Michigan circuit court judge is approximately $183,000 per year.

A judge who handles major criminal, civil, and family court cases.