Jan A. Miner
Jan A. Miner Announces her Intentions to Run for Probate Court Judge
20-Year Bay City Attorney Says She's Qualified
February 25, 2016
By: O. J. Cunningham
"I'm ready to serve Bay County residents as their next Probate Judge. Being qualified to be a judge is much more than being a good lawyer or sitting on a bench. For me, it is about getting in the trenches, beyond the bench. It is also about first-hand experience with the families of Bay County. I am someone who has actual experience with foster homes and juvenile centers, who (literally) wields hammers to build with community agencies, who stays current with the law by attending training and conferences, who has comprehensive administrative experience, who has estate planning experience, and who works with integrity and adheres to the Golden Rule. I also feel that it is vital to have integrity in the interaction within the courtroom and community, stay abreast of current law, and possess the ability to critically examine all sides of a case," Miner said.
Growing up in Bay City makes Miner even more invested in the community. Jan graduated from Bay City Central high school in 1988, which is where she met her husband, Robert. Together they have two children Cate and Jayce. Jan is a graduate of Michigan Technological University (cum laude) in Scientific and Technical Communications and earned her Juris Doctorate from the Thomas Cooley Law School in Lansing. Jan is also admitted to the United States District Court-Eastern Division and the United States Supreme Court.
After graduating from law school, Miner returned to her hometown to join her father in the family legal practice where she worked for 13 years. While owning and operating the family business, Miner specialized in the general practice of family law and has held her Family Law Certificate since 2008.
Her work in private practices also provides a keen sense of understanding of putting together forever families through step-parent adoption; child support, custody and visitation disputes; divorce and separate maintenance; and payment of child support while working closely with the Friend Of the Court.
Jan joined the Bay County Public Defender's office as an attorney dedicated to the youth of Bay County, working juvenile delinquency and child abuse and neglect cases. "When asked why concentrate on this area of law, I tell them it is all about hope. Hope that I will be able to reach just one child; help one parent to make a difference. People call me a true believer," Miner said.
Serving as the voice of over 200+ children, with a current caseload of approximately 70 children, Miner is extremely qualified and possesses a deep knowledge of the inter-workings of the Probate Court. She can often be seen visiting children and families in foster homes, working one-on-one with children in neglect and abuse cases, and making recommendations in hopes of bettering their futures.
"While working in the courtroom, a probate judge needs to be compassionate and comfortable with a variety of people, especially those who are afflicted with drug addiction, affected by poverty, who might have mental, developmental, and/or physical impairments," Miner said. "Engaging with people, and working in this environment on a daily basis is what has guided me to seek your vote for Probate Judge."
As a founding board member of the Bay County Treatment Court, a program created for parents whose parental rights are threatened by reoccurring substance abuse, Miner seeks to continue this program. She is also a founding board member of the Juvenile Drug Court which helps to create policies and protocols for the running of the treatment court to ensure the sobriety of Bay County youth.
With 50+ continuing education and training seminars under her belt on a wide variety of legal topics, it is easy to understand that Miner feels passionate about keeping current with the law. "The law is constantly changing, which is why I have attended these seminars since 1997. It is also why I pursued extensive training and continue to maintain my Family Law Certificate," she said. Additionally, in 2013, she attended a national seminar on child welfare.
Further, Miner has been elected to various leadership positions in our local bar association such as secretary; has chaired the Liberty Bell committee for several years; and was an elected member of the 18th Judicial Circuit Representative Assembly. Her leadership skills began when she was 17 years old as president of the student government at Bay City Central high school, which then extended to college when she became the president of the freshmen class and ultimately of the student body at Michigan Technological University.
Community involvement is a priority for Miner. Locally, Jan has spoken at area high schools about the importance of juvenile law and at Delta College about the legal system. Requested by Wellspring Lutheran Services and the Department of Health and Human Services, she offers her expertise to train foster care parents about the legal system and their role.
Statewide, Miner presented for the Michigan State Court Administrative Office, Child Welfare Services Division where she developed a presentation to assist attorneys who represent children. Miner was also part of the Bay County Team who won the Robert Weiss Award for Excellence in Creative Solutions for the Adoption Permanency Forums which was sponsored by the Department of Human Services in 2010.
Miner has recently joined the newly formed Family Defense Attorneys of Michigan. She also joined the American Association of University Women with her mother Sandra Miner, a former president of the organization.
As part of a team, Miner was an Attorney Coach for the Pinconning High School Mock Trial team for three years and is currently involved with the Essexville-Hampton Band Boosters.
Miner has also served as President, Treasurer, and volunteer of the Disability Services Resource Center since 1994. This involvement includes supervising staff, grant and proposal writing, wielding a hammer for ramp building, and participating on the ACES softball team - a program for children with disabilities. Miner also assists in Disability Awareness Training teaching students, community leaders and business owners the importance of awareness of individuals with disabilities.
Since 2000, Miner has served as President and volunteer with the Saddie Toeppner Garden Study Club. Because of her love for gardening, she assisted in developing an accessible garden for DSRC.
"I am dedicated to the residents of Bay County and am a firm believer in a fair and just legal system," Miner said. "I would be proud to serve as your next Probate Judge." Please visit Jan Miner's website at www.janminerforjudge.com for more information.