Pronoun Selection for Lawyers, Litigants Divides Michigan Courts

A Michigan Supreme Court proposal that would require use of lawyers’ and parties’ preferred pronouns is dividing judges, with sides weighing competing interests in civility and judicial discretion to manage courtrooms.

The proposed rule change, up for a hearing Wednesday, would require courts to use the personal pronouns that parties and attorneys designate, or use a person’s name or “other respectful means” to ensure clarity in court records.

Experts say Michigan is the latest in a wave of states striving to accommodate transgender and gender-nonconforming lawyers and litigants with updates to the justice system’s understanding of courtesy and civility, ...