Jocelyn joined the Center in June 2024 as a Senior Attorney working with the Capacity Building Center for Courts. Jocelyn serves as the liaison for Tribal Court Improvement Programs as well as a support for the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Partnership grantees as they implement best practices for tribal children and families.
Prior to joining the Center, Jocelyn served as the Chief Judge for the Tribal Court of Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, where she is also an enrolled member. During her 14-year tenure on the bench, Jocelyn presided over a wide range of case types, but found herself most passionate about those cases involving tribal families. She has spent her career seeking ways to improve outcomes for tribal children and their families involved in justice systems. Her desire to make a broader impact on the lives of system-involved tribal families led her to her position at the Center.
Jocelyn is most proud of the work she has been involved in exploring how tribal, state, and federal justice systems can collaborate to best serve people and believes that courts can and should be places of healing for families and communities. “When the justice system works to lift up, keep them connected to their families, communities, and culture - like you find in healing to wellness courts - we have the best outcomes” Jocelyn says.
Jocelyn has an undergraduate of Michigan State University and received her J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law. Jocelyn resides in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with her husband and two children, who are also enrolled members of Sault Tribe.