Judge Erane C. Washington: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. Erane C. Washington is a judge for the Fourteenth District Court (B) of Michigan in Washtenaw County. She was elected to the bench on November 4, 2020.

During her judicial tenure, Washington has served as Chief judge of the Fourteenth District Court (B) (2021 to present) and also manages the Recovery and Human Trafficking Court and Domestic Violence special docket.

Prior to her election, she managed her own private solo practice, the Law Firm of Erane C. Washington-Kendrick, PLLC, where she handled criminal defense, general civil, probate, and real estate matters (2007 to 2021). During that same time, Washington was a partner at the Julington Litigation Center, where she handled cases for indigent defendants accused of committing felonies in Washtenaw County (2010 to 2014).

Before opening her firm, she spent six years as a judicial attorney for the Hon. Donald E. Shelton with the Twenty-Second Circuit Court in Washtenaw County (2000 to 2007) and served for seven years as an assistant public defender with the Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Office (1994 to 2001).

Washington received a bachelor’s degree in justice, morality, and constitutional democracy from Michigan State University in 1989. She went on to complete a J.D. at the University of Michigan Law School in 1993.

Her memberships have included the Washtenaw County Bar Association (past president), the Vanzetti Hamilton Bar Association, and the Business and Professional Women’s Club. She was a past co-chair of the Judiciary Committee and the Race, Gender, and Bias Awareness Committee.

Washington was elected to serve as a State Bar of Michigan Commissioner and has sat on the Board of Directors of the Huron Valley Habitat for Humanity, Huron Valley Girls Scouts of America, and the American Red Cross. In addition, she was appointed by former Governor Jennifer Granholm to the State Board of Canvassers and the State Officer’s Compensation Commission.

Washington, a longtime resident of Ypsilanti Township, attended Huron High School. She and her husband, Anthony, have two grown sons. The couple attends Christian Tabernacle Church.