Alethia Battles announces candidacy for Probate Judge, holding Manchester meet-and greet
Alethia Battles, courtesy photo
Editor's note: The Manchester Mirror does not endorse candidates. We will publish one press release per candidate announcing their candidacy as well as upcoming event articles for non-fundraising meet-the-candidate campaign events being held in the Manchester area. In this case, we combined a candidacy announcement and meet-and-greet event article into one. Read our complete Elections/Candidate Policy for more information.
submitted by Teresa Killeen, co-organizer of upcoming meet-and-greet
Current Washtenaw County probate judge, Julia Owdziej, is retiring at the end of her term at the end of this year and leaving an open seat. So far there are two people known to be running for the seat. One of these candidates is Alethia Battles. Sharon Township Supervisor Kathy Spiegel and Manchester Resident Teresa Killeen are co-hosting a meet-and-greet for Ms. Battles on Saturday, February 28 from 1pm to 3pm at Millie’s Coffeehouse, located at 227 E. Main Street.
Ms. Battles is a distinguished attorney and Licensed Clinical Social Worker whose career reflects a rare and powerful blend of legal expertise, clinical judgment, and deep compassion for individuals and families navigating some of life’s most complex and vulnerable moments. With more than a decade of service at the University of Michigan and Michigan Medicine, Ms. Battles has built a reputation as a trusted professional who brings clarity, fairness, and humanity to matters involving capacity, guardianship, surrogate decision-making, and probate court intervention.
Why Alethia Battles Is an Exceptional Candidate for Probate Judge?
Alethia Battles stands as an outstanding candidate for a Probate Judge position because her professional background aligns seamlessly with the core responsibilities and values of probate court.
In her current role as Associate General Counsel and Clinical Social Worker, Ms. Battles works at the intersection of law, medicine, and social services—precisely where probate courts operate. She routinely manages cases involving guardianship, capacity determinations, surrogate decision-making, and complex disposition issues that require court involvement. This gives her a practical, working knowledge of probate proceedings beyond theory—she understands their real-world impact on individuals and families.
Her unique dual licensure allows her to assess cases holistically. She not only understands the legal standards governing probate matters, but also the psychosocial, medical, and ethical dimensions that influence judicial outcomes. This perspective is invaluable in probate court, where decisions must balance legal compliance with dignity, safety, and human need.
Ms. Battles regularly collaborates with probate courts, health system legal offices, clinical safety teams, and community stakeholders to resolve highly sensitive cases involving vulnerable populations. Her work demands sound judgment, neutrality, discretion, and an unwavering commitment to fairness—hallmarks of an effective probate judge.
She has demonstrated the ability to build and lead programs that foster collaboration across institutions and community partners. Probate courts depend on strong relationships with healthcare systems, social services, families, and legal professionals—an environment in which Ms. Battles has already excelled.
As a long-standing member of the State Bar of Michigan, Ms. Battles embodies the ethical rigor, professionalism, and service-oriented mindset essential to the judiciary. Her career reflects a consistent dedication to justice, thoughtful decision-making, and respect for the individuals whose lives are shaped by probate court rulings.
Alethia Battles brings not only the legal qualifications required of a Probate Judge, but also the empathy, lived experience, and multidisciplinary insight that elevate judicial service from competent to exceptional. Her background makes her uniquely prepared to serve with fairness, wisdom, and compassion—qualities that are essential to the integrity and effectiveness of the probate court.
See you on Saturday. Bring yourself and your friends!
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