Senate confirms DeClercq, a Korean adoptee, as federal judge in Michigan

Susan Kim DeClercq, director and counsel of special investigations at Ford Motor Company, has become the first Asian American to serve as a federal judge in Michigan.

The U.S. Senate voted 52 to 42 in favor of DeClercq’s confirmation on October 5.

DeClercq was nominated by President Joe Biden on May 4 to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. After five months of confirmation hearings, the confirmation process was completed.

DeClercq was adopted from South Korea as a child, attended law school at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, and worked as a federal prosecutor for 18 years. She joined Ford Motor Company last year as director and counsel of special investigations.

“I’m very proud and privileged to have had so many great opportunities as an immigrant,” she said during the hearing, “and I’m eternally grateful to my mother for giving birth to me and to my mother for raising me.” DeClercq has three children with her husband, Greg Kerr.

BY BRIAN CHOI    [ichoi@koreadaily.com]