Hon. Cori E. Barkman has served as a circuit court judge in the 29th Circuit Court of Clinton and Gratiot Counties since 2021. She handles both civil and criminal matters. Before becoming a judge, Judge Barkman was a first assistant attorney general in the Michigan Department of Corrections Division of the Attorney General’s Office. Prior to that role, she was an administrative law judge at the St. Louis Correctional Facility and a senior litigation attorney in the Attorney General’s Office.
For attorneys who have never been to your court, what is your check-in process?
Attorneys should check in with the judicial assistant who is in the courtroom.
When is your motion call? Are there a maximum number of motions heard during motion call?
My court does not have a civil motion call. Attorneys must schedule a hearing time with my staff.
Should proposed orders be submitted to the clerk before argument? Do you expect orders to be drafted in court?
I do not have a preference. Attorneys can either submit proposed orders before argument or they can draft them shortly after my ruling.
How should stipulated orders be submitted?
Stipulated orders must be submitted through the clerk’s office.
Who makes up your judicial staff and what roles do they play?
I have a judicial assistant in both Gratiot and Clinton Counties. They do all of the scheduling for my docket in their assigned county and handle all in-court matters.
What types of pretrial conferences do you hold and what happens at them?
I handle a scheduling conference as well as a final pretrial conference in civil cases and a final trial conference in criminal cases. At the scheduling conference, all dates moving forward in the case are scheduled. At the final pretrial conference, jury instructions, approaches to voir dire, and other trial-related matters are discussed.
What types of matters/motions are held via Zoom and which are held in person?
Only pro confesso hearings and legal motions are held via Zoom. All other contested matters are typically in person.
What are some components of an argument (either in a brief or oral argument) that you find compelling or persuasive?
I like hearing the facts as presented by the party and how the law applies to those specific facts.
What procedural issues/disputes should be worked out between the parties before involving you?
As many issues as possible, especially those that do not involve a ruling. The parties should certainly work out any scheduling issues, and the parties should come with agreed upon dates before appearing before me.
What are some common mistakes lawyers make in your courtroom, either while appearing in person or remotely?
Making personal attacks is particularly frowned upon.
What do you think is the most commonly misinterpreted court rule or rule of evidence?
I don’t feel strongly about any particular court rule or rule of evidence, but attorneys should have a strong understanding of both. I am big on a concise and effective cross examination. The name of the game should be to get in and get out—do not dwell too much on any points on cross. Put it in your back pocket and pull it out during your closing. Do not argue with the witness, and be careful not to present repetitive information that bores the jury.
What is an example of a time a lawyer impressed you?
Closing arguments that seem spontaneous and genuine but at the same time make you really think about how the facts of the case fit together.
What is something interesting you do off the bench?
I wake up at 4:00 a.m. most days to run with my friend and running partner. We run in all weather and temperatures. I am also a die-hard football, wrestling, and swim mom.
Is there anything else you would like Michigan lawyers to know?
One of the reasons I wanted to be a judge was to support lawyers as they present their talents and craft in trial. I view good trial advocacy as an art form. I do my best as a judge to ensure that each lawyer who practices before me feels like my courtroom is a welcoming space to put their best case forward in order to best represent their clients.