Honorable Tracy E. Van den Bergh

Term

Six year term expires January 2027

About the Honorable Tracy E. Van den Bergh

Judge Tracy Van den Bergh was elected by the voters of Washtenaw County in 2020 and took the bench on January 1, 2021. Before practicing law, Judge Van den Bergh first earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in social work from New York University. As a clinical social worker and Mental Health Director, she diagnosed and treated children, adults, and families struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. Motivated to address related issues in the legal system, Judge Van den Bergh subsequently earned her Juris Doctor from Michigan State College of Law, graduating in the top 5% of her class.

As an attorney, Judge Van den Bergh handled cases in a broad number of practice areas, while focusing on high-conflict litigation and serving particularly vulnerable individuals and families. Prior to being seated on the circuit court, she served in the office of the Michigan Attorney General, where she managed complex litigation in the Health, Education, and Family Services Division. For eight years, she also provided comprehensive legal services to over 1,000 disadvantaged Washtenaw County residents as a staff, and later a supervising attorney at Legal Services of South Central Michigan. At LSSCM, she simultaneously served as a Field Instructor for Eastern Michigan University’s School of Social Work. 

Community Organizations and Board Participation

Judge Van den Bergh is active in several community organizations. She belongs to the Michigan Association for Justice, Michigan Judges Association, Women Lawyers Association, and NAACP-Willow Run Branch. She also works with several animal rescues rehabilitating and fostering homeless dogs.

Before taking office, Judge Van den Bergh served as Co-Chair of the Washtenaw County Bar Association Public Service Committee. She is also a former member of the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative Steering Committee, Michigan Justice Caucus, Jim Toy Community Center, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. 

Cases

Judge Van den Bergh currently hears family law cases and Child Protective Proceedings.

**Effective December 1, 2023, all hearings before Judge Van den Bergh will be in person unless otherwise noted**