Michael G. Harrison

Attorney Emeritus*

Before joining Foster Swift in 2001, Michael Harrison served as a judge of the 30^th Judicial Circuit of Michigan for nearly 25 years. He was Chief Judge for 12 years and served by assignment on the Michigan Court of Appeals on a number of occasions. While on the bench, he was involved in numerous activities to improve the justice system. He was appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court as chair of the Case Flow Management Coordinating Committee, a member of the Sentencing Guidelines Steering Committee and Task Force on Juror Use and Management. Additionally, Judge Harrison was President of the Michigan Judges’ Association, composed of the Circuit and Court of Appeals Judges and was chair of the National Conference of State Trial Judges.

While in private practice Judge Harrison was dedicated to serving as a neutral in dispute resolution. A strong believer in the benefits of alternative dispute resolution, he earned his Certified Mediator designation from the International Mediation Institute and was on the Commercial Roster of Neutrals for the American Arbitration Association. His expansive knowledge of the law and passion for justice made him a sought after neutral panelist in arbitrations as well as an effective negotiator in mediation proceedings.

Born in Lansing, Judge Harrison is committed to giving back to the community as well as the legal profession. Judge Harrison was an adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School and participated in an impressive list of leadership roles in community organizations including president of the Greater Lansing Urban League, Greater Lansing Symphony Association, Mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross, Chief Okemos Council Boy Scouts of America and the Rotary Club of Lansing to name a few. Most recently, he chaired the Lansing Sesquicentennial Foundation, Inc.

* Attorney Emeritus status identifies individuals who enjoyed distinguished legal careers at Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC and have retired from the practice of law.