Senators Stabenow and Peters Applaud Nominations of Judge Shalina Kumar and Judge Jane Beckering to Federal Judgeships in Michigan’s Eastern and Western Districts

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today applauded President Biden’s nominations of Judge Shalina Kumar as the U.S. District Court Judge to the Eastern District of Michigan and Judge Jane Beckering as the U.S. District Court Judge to the Western District of Michigan. If Judge Shalina Kumar is confirmed, she would be the first federal judge of South Asian descent in Michigan.

“We applaud today’s nominations by the White House. Judge Kumar and Judge Beckering are two outstanding and highly qualified women. We are confident that they will serve as thoughtful and fair federal judges. We look forward to moving their nominations through the Senate confirmation process,” said Senator Stabenow.

“I’m pleased President Biden announced he intends to nominate Michiganders Shalina Kumar and Jane Beckering to fill vacancies on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District and Western District, respectively,” said Senator Peters. “Judge Kumar is a highly qualified jurist, serving in private practice and then on the Oakland County Circuit Court. I’m proud she would reflect Michigan’s rich diversity, as she would be the first Michigander of South Asian descent to serve on the federal bench in our state. Judge Beckering is highly respected in Michigan’s legal community with extensive experience both serving on the Michigan Court of Appeals and in private practice. I look forward to the Senate Judiciary Committee considering their nominations.”

Chief Judge Shalina D. Kumar has served on the Oakland County Sixth Circuit Court since 2007. She was appointed Chief Judge of the Circuit Court by the Michigan Supreme Court in January of 2018. In addition to her chief judge duties, Judge Kumar retains a full caseload covering both civil and criminal matters. Throughout her years on the bench, Judge Kumar has served as a presiding judge of the Adult Treatment Court, the Chairperson of the Oakland County Criminal Assignment Committee, the bench liaison to the Oakland County Bar Association Circuit Court Committee, a member of the Michigan State Bar Professionalism Committee, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Michigan Judges’ Association. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Kumar was a civil litigator in private practice from 1997 to 2007, including as an associate with Weiner & Cox P.L.C. from 2004 to 2007 and Sommers, Schwartz, Silver & Schwartz P.C. from 2000 to 2004. Judge Kumar graduated from the University of Michigan in 1993 and the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law in 1996.

Judge Jane M. Beckering has served on the Michigan Court of Appeals since 2007, where she oversees both civil and criminal proceedings. Judge Beckering is the Chief Judge Pro Tempore of the Court. She is also President-Elect of the Grand Rapids Bar Association and previously served on the Michigan Supreme Court Committee on Model Civil Jury Instructions. Prior to becoming a judge, Judge Beckering was a trial lawyer in private practice for 17 years. She founded the law firm of Buchanan & Beckering, PLC in Grand Rapids, Michigan, primarily focused on representing plaintiffs in civil litigation. She began her law career as an associate with McDermott, Will & Emery, P.C. in Chicago. Judge Beckering received her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1990 and her B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1987.

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