Biographical Information

Born: April 10, 1945 in Champagne, Illinois
Marital Status: Married
Spouse: Paula
Children: 4 daughters; 7 grandchildren
Education: Law degree, Wayne State Law School; bachelor's degree, Michigan State University; associate's degree, Saint Aquinas College in Grand Rapids
Employment/Military Record: Founding partner Murphy, Burns Law firm in Grand Rapids, (1973-1988), private lawyer 1971-1973
Community Activities: Served on boards of Aquinas College, Project Rehab, Second Harvest Gleaners Food Bank, Grand Rapids Urban League, Catholic Secondary Schools, Catholic Social Services, Villa Elizabeth
Religion: Catholic

Elections and Political Participation

Supreme Court 2014
General Vote: 637,741 of 4,529,041 (14%)
Campaign Finance Reports

Court of Appeals 3rd District 2012
General Vote: 524,334 of 1,591,495 (32%)

Court of Appeals 3rd District 2006
General Vote: 479,299 of 1,435,205 (33%)
Campaign Finance Reports

Political Activities: Unsuccessful candidate for Supreme Court in 1990s