Hon. S. Kerene Moore was elected to the 15th Judicial District Court for a six-year term on November 5, 2024, and her term began on January 2, 2025. She presides over general civil provider cases, OWI cases, and the specialized Sobriety Court docket. Judge Moore received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in 2002 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School in 2005. Before her election, she served as Director of Conviction Integrity and Expungement at the Washtenaw County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, as a judicial attorney and juvenile referee in the Washtenaw County Circuit Court, as an attorney with Legal Services of South Central Michigan, and as an administrative law examiner with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Judge Moore is a member of several judicial, legal, and community organizations, has served on editorial boards of multiple legal journals, and has 11 publications.
Where can lawyers find your courtroom protocols, and what is something that lawyers often miss about them?
Lawyers can find my courtroom protocols on the 15th District Court website here.
One common mistake lawyers make is appearing for oral arguments for motions for summary disposition (MSD). Due to the substantial volume of MSDs scheduled per week, these are decided based on briefing, unless specially ordered by me or another judge.
For lawyers who have never been in your courtroom, what is your check-in process?
You can check in with the bailiff, though the recorder will certainly coordinate any attempts to check in with the bailiff.
Is there anything unique about your motion call process that lawyers should know?
Because we allow regular civil motions to proceed virtually, attorneys don’t always take the same opportunity to negotiate a settlement prior to the case being called as they would at an in-person hearing. Please do request a virtual breakout room with opposing counsel if you have a complex motion. If you do not do so, when your case is called, I will likely refer you to a breakout room after you’ve waited for an extended period for your case to be heard.
What are your preferences for how lawyers handle proposed and stipulated orders?
Please make sure to state good cause for any adjournments of trial dates. Because we have a high-volume caseload, even if stipulated to, adjournments of trial dates will not be granted without sufficient good cause.
Are there particular members of your staff that lawyers should contact about certain things?
My judicial coordinator is the primary contact in chambers.
What types of pretrial conferences do you hold, and what information and forms do you require at them?
I issue written pretrial and scheduling orders and do not require attendance at pretrial. I do, however, require in-person attendance of attorneys and client representatives at final settlement conferences.
What can lawyers expect about your expectations and approach to ADR?
I do support attorneys using ADR to resolve cases, and it is generally an acceptable reason to adjourn a trial date.
What do you think makes a written motion or brief compelling or persuasive?
Most importantly, the law must be on point. While unpublished opinions can be persuasive, I recommend highlighting compelling policy issues when relying on an unpublished opinion.
What are some common mistakes lawyers make during oral argument?
I think many attorneys are unprepared to argue specific facts about the underlying case in certain civil contexts. There is a presumption that a standard motion will be granted. Take a minute to make sure the motion is supported by the underlying facts in the case before the court.
Is there anything in particular lawyers should know about how you conduct trials?
Nothing unique.
What do you think is the most commonly misinterpreted court rule or rule of evidence?
Many of these are argumentative, but in many cases, attorneys object and fail to cite the grounds for the objection, which is necessary for a proper record.
What is the best advice you got from a mentor?
Say yes to leadership opportunities instead of overthinking it. If you do so, you will have built the foundation needed to demand the work you want to do when the opportunity presents itself.
Are there particular practice resources you think lawyers should consult?
The Michigan Justice Institute Benchbooks.
What is something interesting you do off the bench?
I write. I also recently took two seminary classes. Honestly, I try to stay as uninteresting as possible. Life is hard enough.
Is there anything else you would like Michigan lawyers to know?
Know your judges!