| Judge Robertson is in good company Judge Robertson makes history on the bench By Rhonda Westfall
That's quite an achievement, especially considering that in all the years since his initial appointment in 1979, Judge Robertson has never faced opposition in an election. That fact exemplifies a guiding principle of the judge's long tenure. "The job of a probate judge is to protect those least able to protect themselves," Robertson says, quoting a mentor from his early years on the bench. "I've always tried to live up to that responsibility." It's been good advice which the Judge has taken to heart. A 1976 graduate of the Detroit College of Law, Robertson began his judicial career in the Clinton County Prosecutor's office before going to work for the State Attorney General. He was on staff at the Ingham County Prosecutor's office at the time of his appointment as Clinton County Probate Judge. "Judge (Timothy) Green had run successfully for the circuit court judgeship in 1978, leaving an unexpired term at the probate court," Judge Robertson says. "I was appointed by Governor Milliken to fill out that term, and then ran unopposed in the regular 1980 election."
Dispute Resolution which provides a means for parties to work through difficult cases using a mediator, rather than going through a lengthy court trial. He was named Probate Judge of the Year by the State of Michigan in 1995-96, and is an adjunct professor of juvenile law at the Detroit College of Law through Michigan State University. While the varied professional accomplishments are gratifying, his role as a husband, father and grandfather provides the greatest satisfaction for the "farm boy" who spent his childhood years on his grandfather's farm near Lapeer. He and his wife, Tita, will celebrate their 33rd wedding anniversary this year - and he was even more pleased to observe a pair of family events last week than the 23 years as probate judge. "My two grandsons, Dimitri and Ivan, both had birthdays last week - March 4 and 7 - now, those were big events," the Judge says of the sons of his eldest daughter, Monica Leikert, and her husband, Jim. "Monica is a teacher at St. Johns Middle School, so we see her and the family on a regular basis," the doting grandfather says, noting that the Robertson's younger daughter, Rachel Dawkins, and her husband, Ed, are also frequent visitors from their home in nearby Berkley. Judge Robertson is also well known in the community for his service as a deacon. He was ordained in 1990 in the Diocese of Lansing, and is assigned to the St. Joseph Catholic Church parish in St. Johns. He is undecided as to whether or not he will seek reelection in 2006 - and add to the longevity record on the probate court bench. "I'm looking forward to continuing and filling out the present term - and then we'll see what happens," Judge Robertson says, again saluting the probate staff for its efforts in making his years on the bench run so smoothly and citing the county commissioners for their support. "I've enjoyed an excellent relationship with the commissioners throughout the years - they've always found a way to fund our necessary programs, even when times are tight," he says. |
There have been just 16 probate judges
chosen to serve Clinton County since the establishment of the position in 1841. The
Honorable Judge Marvin Robertson earned a spot in the history books March 5 by becoming
the longest-serving adjudicator to serve on the probate bench - 23 years and counting.