According to author C.S. Lewis, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” New State Bar President James W. Heath learned this at an early age and has lived it ever since.
True humility was modeled for Heath by his parents, both career public servants.
“They instilled a deep sense of public service in me,” he said. “They were both public employees and were extremely proud of their service to the city of Detroit. My father retired after 39 years with the Detroit Water & Sewage Department and my mother worked over 25 years as a speech pathologist in the Detroit Public Schools.”
Heath is now doing the same for his own children, James, 19, and Karon, 17, and his strong character will be on full display as he takes the helm as the State Bar of Michigan’s 88th president.
“James’ strong intellectual capacity and work ethic, combined with his humility and servant’s heart, will serve him well as president of the State Bar,” said Hon. Michael J. Riordan, who served with Heath on the SBM Board of Commissioners. “He was born for this.”
James Surowiec, a close friend and former colleague at Wayne County, agreed.
“I liked him the moment I met him,” recalled Surowiec, now assistant corporation counsel for Macomb County. “He embodies the perfect blend of confidence, humility, and common sense that is crucial to a person placed in a position of leadership. I cannot think of a better person to serve as the next president of the State Bar of Michigan. “It’s going to be a great year!”
MADE IN DETROIT
Heath was born, raised, and educated in Detroit at University of Detroit Jesuit High School, and his loyalty to the city runs deep.
“My parents were part of the Great Migration chronicled by Isabel Wilkerson in her groundbreaking book, ‘The Warmth of Other Suns,’” he said. “Like so many Black families, they left their homes in Georgia and other points south in search of safer and more abundant opportunities promised by cities like Detroit.”
The city and Heath have always been good to each other.
“I love Detroit and its important institutions,” he said. “Whether it’s my church in northwest Detroit; the alumni chapter of my fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha; or its neighborhoods and block clubs, I am keenly aware of the ties which hold this important community together. I have an appreciation for this city’s unique role in our state and nation.” Heath left the city briefly to pursue his education, first at Michigan State University’s James Madison College, where he says he gained a true appreciation for the underpinnings of American democracy and the concept that we are a nation of laws.
“I have always been interested in how laws were made and the general functioning of government,” he said. “We had a seminar class my freshman year in which we read ‘The Federalist Papers.’ I was fascinated by how the philosophical underpinnings of the law, despite failing to provide the slightest protections to most people in this country, could one day be used to serve all Americans. My classmates and I went on to study Derrick Bell and other scholars as we tried to make sense of the legal and political issues of the day. I knew that I wanted to be a part of the legal profession from then on.”
Attorney Grievance Commission Deputy Administrator Kimberly Uhuru, a friend since college, said she knew from the beginning there was something different — and special — about Heath.
“We were both James Madison College majors, so we had freshman classes together,” she recalled. “All the other kids were in typical college gear: jeans, sweats, etc. James would show up to class every day in a button-down shirt, perfectly pressed, tucked in, with a belt.
“I was thinking, ‘Who is this guy and why is he dressed like this?’ Eventually, I came to understand that James is pretty circumspect in his habits, and this includes his habits of mind. He tends to be very conscientious and prepared. It’s now one of the things I value about his friendship.”
Heath went to Chicago-Kent College of Law before returning to Detroit as an assistant prosecutor in Wayne County’s Public Integrity Unit. He subsequently served in the Michigan Attorney General’s Office as assistant attorney general in both the criminal and health care fraud divisions. In 2012, he became the city of Detroit’s first inspector general, where he was responsible for ensuring honesty and integrity in city government by investigating waste, abuse, fraud, and corruption. Finally, in 2018, he was appointed Wayne County corporation counsel, where he currently serves as chief legal officer for the state’s largest county, providing legal advice and representing the executive office, county departments, agencies, and boards.
Recently, the Michigan Supreme Court appointed Heath to the newly established Michigan Judicial Council. The council’s purpose is to strategically plan for the judicial branch, enhance the work of the courts, and make recommendations to the Supreme Court on matters pertinent to the administration of justice.
“I have been blessed to have had wonderful professional opportunities over the course of my career,” Heath said.
Serving as president of the State Bar of Michigan is an opportunity for him to give back to all those who helped him along the way.
“The first bar association I joined was the Wolverine Bar Association,” he recalled. “I can distinctly remember going to my first meeting days after learning I had passed the bar examination. I made that announcement at the meeting and received applause from the several dozen attorneys in attendance. The welcoming feeling I experienced hooked me.”
He also fondly recalls as a young assistant prosecutor his admiration of former Wayne County prosecutor and 70th SBM President Nancy Diehl for the way she gave back to the legal community.
“Witnessing a fellow public servant lead the Bar made me feel confident that I, too, could help shape the future of our profession,” he said.
And so he did.
A LASTING LEGACY
Heath was first elected to the State Bar Representative Assembly in 2012 and then to the Board of Commissioners in 2014, where he quickly rose through the ranks.
Heath officially took office on Sept. 17, 2022, after being sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Clement. Heath immediately thanked his friends, family, and colleagues for their unwavering support — especially Wayne County Executive Warren Evans.
“When I told him I was in line to become SBM president during my interview, he didn’t even blink as he told me I had his full support because he believes my service will bring honor to the Department of Corporation Counsel,” Heath said. “Mr. Evans and my colleagues have been true to their word, and I am honored by their support.”
As Heath takes over as State Bar president, he wants to continue the great work of his predecessors and understands the importance of working with his fellow bar leaders and staff.
“I have had the benefit of watching a number of successful presidents over the years, especially recent ones who have guided the bar through completely unforeseen challenges,” he said. “The State Bar of Michigan’s strategic goals of promoting improvement in the administration of justice, service to the public, professionalism, diversity and inclusion, and innovation form the lens through which all of our positions and activities must be measured. Each SBM president has the responsibility of serving as a sort of caretaker of these goals during their year as president.”
Heath said he sees several important tasks this year within the Bar.
“First, the SBM should play a vital role in advancing the discussion of how attorneys and members of the public engage with our courts throughout the state,” he observed. “One thing is for certain: We have witnessed change at a pace many of us thought impossible in terms of how our clients and colleagues experience the courts. In some instances, access to the courts and justice have been improved. However, some have argued that the changes have diminished the traditional weight of legal proceedings. There is no question that the delivery of legal services has changed in important ways and the SBM must play a role in how these changes impact the public.”
Second, the Bar must continue to be a voice for access to justice, Heath said, emphasizing that the legal needs of the public must be met.
“The Bar has played a central role in advocating for criminal indigent defense reform,” he said. “The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission is a wonderful example of this. My home county of Wayne has benefited tremendously from these efforts. But there is still a tremendous opportunity for lawyers to meet the needs of clients with civil law needs. Doing so will require both traditional and non-traditional solutions. Over the course of the next several years, the Bar will make important strides in advancing this discussion.”
Third, the State Bar must continue to promote the rule of law, which he said begins with ensuring a proper respect for the judiciary.
“This is the cornerstone of our democracy,” he noted. “This work is vital now more than ever as the societal ties and institutions which have bound us together become increasingly frayed. Lawyers across all practice areas, political ideologies, and geographic locations must educate the public about the role of the judiciary, the manner in which judges decide cases, and how adherence to the law must be the backbone of our nation.”
And throughout its work, the State Bar also must continue to examine its structure and governance to ensure it is delivering services to its members and the public in the most effective and innovative ways.
“Not only is this a strategic goal of the Bar, but it is required by our Supreme Court,” he said.
Heath said State Bar members can expect him to “carry their stories across the entire state, and nation if needed, into every corner where the voice of SBM needs to be heard.” He said he will serve with both “humility and strength” and work tirelessly to steer the Bar to fulfill its mission.
A PERFECT FIT
Matthew McNaughton, who has worked with Heath for several years as outside counsel for Wayne County, said Heath is a perfect fit.
“One of the most difficult needles attorneys and leaders thread is advocating for a position or decision while maintaining respectful and productive relationships with those who disagree with you,” McNaughton noted. “But James accomplishes this challenge with apparent ease. His ability to generate authentic goodwill with everyone, including those on the other side of the table, is what makes him unique and especially suited to serve as State Bar president.”
Sue Hammoud, deputy corporation counsel for Wayne County, couldn’t agree more.
“James has this unique ability to empathize with people under the most difficult of circumstances,” she said. “Simultaneously, he balances this empathy with achieving whatever the objective is. Despite his empathetic nature, he is still very much capable of making the tough decisions and will do so. He also has a very quick wit and sense of humor, which no one expects from him.”
Surowiec said it is this balance that endears James to everyone he meets.
“As corporation counsel, James knows what it takes to motivate his team,” Surowiec said. “He empowers staff attorneys to make decisions and he trusts them to use discretion. In the face of a crisis, he never panics. He listens, analyzes, seeks input, and then makes a decision. If it’s the right one, James gives credit to others. If not, he takes the blame. This is the mark of a true leader.”
Detroit Deputy Inspector General Kamau Marable, who has worked closely with Heath and maintains a strong friendship with him, said members can expect him to put them first.
“Your membership will never have to doubt if President Heath has their interests at heart. He does,” Marable said. “He will make the members of the State Bar proud that he is your leader.”
In short, Surowiec said, “James is the man. Period. End of story.”