Served from 1995 through 2010
Chief Justice: 1999, 2000
Elizabeth A. Weaver was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She received her B.A in 1962 from H. Sophie Newcomb College. In 1965, she received her J.D. from Tulane University. While pursuing her law degree, she was an editor of the Tulane Law Review. In addition to her formal education, Weaver attended the Institute of Judicial Administration Appellate Judges Seminar at the New York University School of Law in 1987.
Weaver’s legal career began when she worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Oliver P. Carriere of the Louisiana Civil District Court. She was admitted to practice in Louisiana in 1965, and in Michigan in 1973. She was the Attorney/Title Specialist for the Chevron Oil Company.
Weaver’s judicial service began with her election to the office of Leelanau County Probate Juvenile Judge in 1974, serving in that position until January 1, 1987. She was elected to the Michigan Court of Appeals in 1987 and was re-elected in 1992. Weaver joined the Michigan Supreme Court upon her election in 1994 and was re-elected in 2002. She served as Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court from 1999 until 2001.
Organizations and activities that deal with education and youth consume Weaver’s time. She is the instructor and originator of the course, “What Everyone Should Know About the Law,” at the Central Michigan University Off-Campus Education Department. She was a former dean of girls and a first grade teacher, and she developed the “Children and the Law” project for elementary schools. She is a Sunday school teacher and church board chair.
Due to a position she took on juvenile justice, Weaver was featured in People magazine and on the TV show “Good Morning America.” She was named one of the five Outstanding Young Women in Michigan by the Michigan Jaycees. Weaver is also an honorary member of Delta Kappa Gamma, which is the International Teachers Honor Society. ( Michigan Manual: Ed. 1997 – 1998. Lansing, Michigan: Legislative Council, State of Michigan.)
Weaver passed away on April 21, 2015.
Portrait Artist:
Petroskey, Frederick
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
30″ x 40″
Owned by:
State of Michigan
Current location:
Hall of Justice – 4th Floor: Rotunda
Portrait photo by:
Dave Trumpie