Elder went to law school and worked full time while she was raising a family. She was born and raised in Metro Detroit and now she’s serving the community she’s proud to call home.

How a Dearborn judge broke barriers while raising a family

Prior to her appointment, Charlene served as a judicial magistrate in the 19th District Court. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan in Dearborn, and her Juris Doctor degree from the Detroit College of Law.

Judge Charlene Elder

Charlene M. Elder was born and raised in Metro Detroit. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in Dearborn and a law degree from the Detroit College of Law.

Judge Charlene Elder - Arab American Business News - Ya Michigan

Hon. Charlene M. Elder was appointed by Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm in 2005 to serve as a judge for the Wayne County Third Circuit Court. She currently sits in the Family Division of the court, handling domestic relations matters. Judge Elder is also one of the judges involved in Wayne County's new Solution Oriented Domestic Violence Prevention Court designed to offer wider services to victims of domestic violence who obtain personal protection orders against their perpetrators. Prior to her appointment, she was a private practitioner who specialized in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation.

Contributor Biography

Prior to her appointment, she was a private practitioner who specialized in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation. Judge Elder also served as a judicial magistrate in the 19th District Court from 2003 to 2005. A graduate of the Detroit College of Law, she is a board member for the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS-Michigan), an advisory board member for the Michigan chapter of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, and a member of the Michigan Judges Association.

Charlene Elder previously worked as a private practitioner specializing in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation. She also served as a judicial magistrate in the 19th District Court.

Hon. Charlene M. Elder - Contributor Biography

Charlene previously worked as a private practitioner specializing in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation. She also served as a judicial magistrate in the 19th District Court.

Judge Charlene Elder
February 1, 2020
Khalil Hachem
3069 Views
Arab American judges,Dearborn,Judge Charlene elder
Charlene M. Elder was appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in December 2005 to serve as a judge for the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court. She currently sits in the Family Division of the court, handling a variety of domestic relations cases involving divorce, child custody, and personal protection matters.

Q & A with Judge Charlene Elder, Wayne County Circuit Court
By Kanika Ferency posted 07-01-2019 10:12

Charlene M. Elder has served as a judge for the Wayne County Third Circuit Court since 2005. She currently sits in the Family Division of the court, handling a variety of domestic relations cases involving divorce, child custody, and personal protection matters. Judge Elder is one of three judges who helped initiate the Domestic Violence Prevention Court, designed to offer a wide range of services to victims of domestic violence who obtain personal protection orders against their perpetrators.

Q & A with Judge Charlene Elder, Wayne County Circuit Court

Charlene has served as a judge on the Wayne County Third Circuit Court since 2005. She was appointed to the court in December 2005 by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

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Has served as a judge on the Wayne County Third Circuit Court since 2005, handling divorce, child-custody, and personal-protection matters in the Family Division.

Served as a judicial magistrate in the 19th District Court from 2003 to 2005.

Worked in private legal practice, specializing in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation.

- Has served as a judge on the Wayne County Third Circuit Court since 2005, handling divorce, child-custody, and personal-protection matters in the Family Division.
- Served as a judicial magistrate in the 19th District Court from 2003 to 2005.
- Worked in private legal practice, specializing in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation.

Legal Experience

When is your motion call?
Wayne County motion call day is Friday; however, I will hear motions on other days of the week as well. The number of motions is different based on the division one sits in, and if motions are going to be heard throughout the week, I try not to schedule more than 14-15 motions on any given Friday because each motion can come with multiple cross-motions and may require extra time to deal with.

Charlene M. Elder has served as a judge for the Wayne County Third Circuit Court since 2005. She currently sits in the Family Division of the court, handling a variety of domestic relations cases involving divorce, child custody, and personal protection matters. Judge Elder is one of three judges who helped initiate the Domestic Violence Prevention Court, designed to offer a wide range of services to victims of domestic violence who obtain personal protection orders against their perpetrators.

What types of pretrial conferences do you hold and what happens at them?

We hold case management conferences at the onset of our cases. These conferences make the court aware of relevant issues so that the court can order needed services (such as FAME, FOC, mediation, supervised parenting time, and more). The court will also schedule settlement or status conference dates so that the attorneys and litigants can make the court aware of the case’s progress.

Hears motions on days in addition to the county's Friday motion call and generally limits Friday calendars to 14–15 motions.

As a circuit court judge, helped initiate the Domestic Violence Prevention Court to provide services to victims with personal protection orders.

Uses early case-management conferences to identify issues, order needed services, and schedule settlement or status conferences.

- Hears motions on days in addition to the county's Friday motion call and generally limits Friday calendars to 14–15 motions.
- As a circuit court judge, helped initiate the Domestic Violence Prevention Court to provide services to victims with personal protection orders.
- Uses early case-management conferences to identify issues, order needed services, and schedule settlement or status conferences.

Judicial Administration

Through the years, she’s evolved and found new ways to give back to the community where she grew up and raised her own family.

“People want to be heard and I try to give them the opportunity to be heard,” Elder said. “People are going to go home feeling upset sometimes because they know their family dynamics better than I could ever know their family dynamics, and I’m getting them for a snippet in time, trying to do what’s best for their children and best for them.”

Do you have any particular briefing requirements? What sort of arguments in a brief do you find compelling?
I do require briefs before trial or evidentiary hearings. Briefs are also helpful when motions present issues that are not routine or not so common. Often cases present unique issues warranting a review of the current law and caselaw. Compelling arguments will cite the authority behind the position taken. Briefs that cite (preferably published) cases and that can differentiate and support the current argument are always helpful.

Is there anything else you would like Michigan lawyers to know?

Family law is already contentious enough. Advocate for your client, but try not to disparage the attorney on the other side—it’s unprofessional.

Said she tries to give people involved in family-court cases an opportunity to be heard while deciding what is best for them and their children.

Requires written legal arguments before trials and hearings involving evidence and considers legal sources central to compelling arguments.

Calls on family-law attorneys to advocate for clients without disparaging opposing counsel.

- Said she tries to give people involved in family-court cases an opportunity to be heard while deciding what is best for them and their children.
- Requires written legal arguments before trials and hearings involving evidence and considers legal sources central to compelling arguments.
- Calls on family-law attorneys to advocate for clients without disparaging opposing counsel.

Judicial Philosophy

As of September 14, 2026, Charlene M. Elder did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

In addition to having served on several boards throughout her career, she was named Judge of the Year by Moms and Dads of Michigan in 2009. She currently serves on the board of ACCESS, and is an advisory board member of the Wayne Mediation Center in Dearborn.

Serves on the advisory board of the Wayne Mediation Center in Dearborn.

- Serves on the board of ACCESS.
- Serves on the advisory board of the Wayne Mediation Center in Dearborn.

Community Involvement

Charlene M. Elder

- Uses early case-management conferences to identify issues, order needed services, and schedule settlement or status conferences.

- Requires written legal arguments before trials and hearings involving evidence and considers legal sources central to compelling arguments.
- Calls on family-law attorneys to advocate for clients without disparaging opposing counsel.

As of September 14, 2026, Charlene M. Elder’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The National Association of Women Judges program biography states: “Early in her career, Judge Elder worked as a solo practitioner, specializing in consumer protection, commercial transactions, and general litigation. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, and her juris doctor degree from the Detroit College of Law.

44thannualconferenceprogramv.3.pdf

Asked what she does off the bench, Elder said: “I love to travel and hang out with my adult children (when they can fit me in). I like to cook, and I love to have extended family over on a regular basis.

Q&A with Judge Charlene Elder

Charlene M. Elder earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from the Detroit College of Law. She has adult children.

The National Association of Women Judges program biography states: “Prior to her appointment, Judge Elder served as a judicial magistrate in Dearborn’s 19th District Court. Early in her career, Judge Elder worked as a solo practitioner, specializing in consumer protection, commercial transactions, and general litigation.

Charlene M. Elder previously worked as a solo practitioner, with a practice focused on consumer protection, commercial transactions, and general litigation.

The National Association of Women Judges program biography states: “Hon. Charlene Elder, Judge, Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan. Judge Charlene M. Elder was appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in December 2005 to serve as a judge for the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court.”

The National Association of Women Judges program biography states: “Judge Charlene M. Elder was appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in December 2005 to serve as a judge for the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court. She currently sits in the Family Division of the Court, handling a variety of domestic relations cases involving divorce, paternity, custody, parenting time, property division, and personal protection orders.”

Charlene currently serves as a judge for the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court. She was appointed to the court in December 2005 by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

The National Association of Women Judges program biography states: “She currently sits in the Family Division of the Court, handling a variety of domestic relations cases involving divorce, paternity, custody, parenting time, property division, and personal protection orders. Prior to her appointment, Judge Elder served as a judicial magistrate in Dearborn’s 19th District Court.”

Serves as a judge on the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court in the Family Division, handling divorce, paternity, custody, parenting-time, property-division, and personal-protection-order cases.

Served as a judicial magistrate in Dearborn's 19th District Court before joining the circuit court.

Worked as a solo legal practitioner specializing in consumer protection, commercial transactions, and general litigation.

- Serves as a judge on the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court in the Family Division, handling divorce, paternity, custody, parenting-time, property-division, and personal-protection-order cases.
- Served as a judicial magistrate in Dearborn's 19th District Court before joining the circuit court.
- Worked as a solo legal practitioner specializing in consumer protection, commercial transactions, and general litigation.

In response to a question about briefing requirements and compelling arguments, Elder said: “I do require briefs before trial or evidentiary hearings. Briefs are also helpful when motions present issues that are not routine or not so common. Often cases present unique issues warranting a review of the current law and caselaw. Compelling arguments will cite the authority behind the position taken. Briefs that cite (preferably published) cases and that can differentiate and support the current argument are always helpful.”

Asked what types of pretrial conferences her court holds, Elder said: “We hold case management conferences at the onset of our cases. These conferences make the court aware of relevant issues so that the court can order needed services (such as FAME, FOC, mediation, supervised parenting time, and more). The court will also schedule settlement or status conference dates so that the attorneys and litigants can make the court aware of the case’s progress.”

Helped initiate the Domestic Violence Prevention Court, which offers services to people obtaining personal protection orders against perpetrators of domestic violence.

Requires briefs before trials or evidentiary hearings and finds legal authority particularly helpful in nonroutine cases.

Uses early case-management conferences to identify issues, order services, and schedule settlement or status conferences in family cases.

- Requires briefs before trials or evidentiary hearings and finds legal authority particularly helpful in nonroutine cases.
- Uses early case-management conferences to identify issues, order services, and schedule settlement or status conferences in family cases.

Discussing her work in family court, Elder said: “People want to be heard and I try to give them the opportunity to be heard. People are going to go home feeling upset sometimes because they know their family dynamics better than I could ever know their family dynamics, and I’m getting them for a snippet in time, trying to do what’s best for their children and best for them.”

In advice directed to Michigan lawyers, Elder said: “Family law is already contentious enough. Advocate for your client, but try not to disparage the attorney on the other side—it’s unprofessional.”

Seeks to give family-court litigants an opportunity to be heard while deciding what is best for them and their children.

Says disparaging opposing counsel in family-law cases is unprofessional.

- Seeks to give family-court litigants an opportunity to be heard while deciding what is best for them and their children.
- Says disparaging opposing counsel in family-law cases is unprofessional.

Charlene M. Elder was born and raised in Metro Detroit. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in Dearborn and a law degree from the Detroit College of Law.

Judge Elder is also one of the judges involved in Wayne County's new Solution Oriented Domestic Violence Prevention Court designed to offer wider services to victims of domestic violence who obtain personal protection orders against their perpetrators. Prior to her appointment, she was a private practitioner who specialized in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation.

ICLE Contributor Directory: Hon. Charlene M. Elder

Charlene previously practiced privately, specializing in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation.

Judge Elder
February 1, 2020
Khalil Hachem
3069 Views
Arab American judges,Dearborn,Judge Charlene elder

Charlene M. Elder was appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in December 2005 to serve as a judge for the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court. She currently sits in the Family Division of the court, handling a variety of domestic relations cases involving divorce, child custody, and personal protection matters.

Charlene was appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in December 2005 to serve as a judge for the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court and has served on the court since 2005.

Practiced privately, specializing in consumer protection, commercial transactions, and general litigation.

- Practiced privately, specializing in consumer protection, commercial transactions, and general litigation.
- Served as a judicial magistrate in the 19th District Court from 2003 to 2005.

Helped initiate the Domestic Violence Prevention Court, which offers services to people obtaining personal protection orders against perpetrators.

Limits Friday motion calendars to 14–15 motions while hearing motions on other weekdays.

Requires briefs before trials or evidentiary hearings and finds legal authority particularly helpful for uncommon motion issues.

- Limits Friday motion calendars to 14–15 motions while hearing motions on other weekdays.
- Requires briefs before trials or evidentiary hearings and finds legal authority particularly helpful for uncommon motion issues.
- Uses early case-management conferences to identify issues, order needed services, and schedule settlement or status conferences.

Prioritizes giving family-court litigants an opportunity to be heard while deciding what is best for children and families.

Charlene M. Elder was born and raised in Metro Detroit. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a law degree from the Detroit College of Law. She raised a family while attending law school and working full time.

Hon. Charlene M. Elder Contributor Bio

Prior to her appointment, she was a private practitioner who specialized in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation. Judge Elder also served as a judicial magistrate in the 19th District Court from 2003 to 2005.

Charlene M. Elder previously worked as a private-practice attorney specializing in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation. She also served as a judicial magistrate in the 19th District Court.

Hon. Charlene M. Elder was appointed by Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm in 2005 to serve as a judge for the Wayne County Third Circuit Court. She currently sits in the Family Division of the court, handling domestic relations matters.

Charlene was appointed by Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm in 2005 to serve as a judge for the Wayne County Third Circuit Court and currently serves on the court.

As a private-practice attorney, she specialized in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation.

Participates in Wayne County's Solution Oriented Domestic Violence Prevention Court, which offers services to people seeking personal protection orders.

Limits the number of motions heard on Fridays to 14–15 while hearing motions on other weekdays.

Requires written legal arguments before trials and evidentiary hearings and values legal arguments supported by cited authority.

Holds early case-management conferences to identify service needs and schedule settlement or status conferences.

- Limits the number of motions heard on Fridays to 14–15 while hearing motions on other weekdays.
- Requires written legal arguments before trials and evidentiary hearings and values legal arguments supported by cited authority.
- Holds early case-management conferences to identify service needs and schedule settlement or status conferences.

Do you have any advice for new lawyers?

Be prepared. Try to be a problem solver, as opposed to a problem maker. Know the law. Know what your relief requested is. And don’t forget to address the best interests factors in a custody hearing.

Said she tries to give people an opportunity to be heard while determining what is best for families and children.

Advises lawyers to be prepared, know the law and requested relief, and address best-interest factors in custody hearings.

- Advises lawyers to be prepared, know the law and requested relief, and address best-interest factors in custody hearings.

Serves as an advisory board member of the Wayne Mediation Center in Dearborn.

Elder said there’s no magic formula for juggling a career and raising a family.

“I really try hard to just do my job,” Elder said. “I mean that’s really, that’s really what I try hard to do.”

Elder went to law school and worked full time while she was raising a family. She was born and raised in Metro Detroit and now she’s serving the community she’s proud to call home.

Charlene M. Elder was born and raised in Metro Detroit. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in Dearborn and a law degree from the Detroit College of Law. She serves on the board of ACCESS and is an advisory board member of the Wayne Mediation Center in Dearborn.

Hon. Charlene M. Elder contributor biography

Charlene M. Elder previously worked as a private practitioner specializing in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation. She also served as a judicial magistrate in the 19th District Court.

Charlene was appointed by Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm in 2005 to serve as a judge for the Wayne County Third Circuit Court.

Practiced privately in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation before her judicial appointment.

Schedules motion hearings on days other than Friday and generally limits Friday calendars to 14–15 motions.

Uses early case-management conferences to identify issues, order services, and schedule settlement or status conferences.

Participates in Wayne County's Solution Oriented Domestic Violence Prevention Court, which offers services to victims seeking personal protection orders.

Requires briefs before trials and evidentiary hearings and finds arguments that cite legal authority, preferably published cases, compelling.

Said that “almost everything is relevant,” especially events occurring after the last order.

The contributor biography states: “Judge Elder is also one of the judges involved in Wayne County's new Solution Oriented Domestic Violence Prevention Court designed to offer wider services to victims of domestic violence who obtain personal protection orders against their perpetrators. Prior to her appointment, she was a private practitioner who specialized in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation. Judge Elder also served as a judicial magistrate in the 19th District Court from 2003 to 2005.”

Charlene M. Elder previously worked in private practice, specializing in consumer protection law, commercial transactions, and general litigation.

The contributor biography states: “Hon. Charlene M. Elder was appointed by Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm in 2005 to serve as a judge for the Wayne County Third Circuit Court. She currently sits in the Family Division of the court, handling domestic relations matters.

Charlene currently serves as a judge for the Wayne County Third Circuit Court. She was appointed in 2005 by Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm.

Worked in private practice, specializing in consumer protection, commercial transactions, and general litigation.

Serves in the Wayne County Third Circuit Court's Family Division, handling domestic relations matters.

Holds early case-management conferences to identify case issues, order necessary services, and schedule settlement or status dates.

Tries not to schedule more than 14–15 motions on a Friday when hearing motions throughout the week, allowing time for complex motions.

Helped initiate the Domestic Violence Prevention Court, which offers services to people with personal protection orders against domestic-violence perpetrators.

Requires briefs before trials or evidentiary hearings and finds legal arguments supported by cited authority most helpful.

Tries to give family-court participants an opportunity to be heard while making decisions she believes are best for children and families.

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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.