Retired judge, Elizabeth Gleicher brings nearly 30 years of litigation experience and 17 years on the Michigan bench, where she served on both the Court of Claims and the Court of Appeals. She authored a body of thoughtful, transparent opinions that emphasized clarity, fairness, and accessibility—values she now brings to her work as an arbitrator and mediator.
With her background in complex civil and criminal cases, Judge Gleicher offers parties a process that is efficient, equitable, and grounded in careful listening.
Q. Could you tell us about your judicial career—where you served, the types of cases you presided over, how long you were on the bench, and moments or accomplishments you’re most proud of?
For over 17 years on the Michigan bench, I tackled some of the state’s most complex civil and criminal cases, from multi-party contract disputes to employment discrimination. At the Court of Claims, I presided over complex contractual disputes involving the state, often with multiple parties and cross-claims. On the Court of Appeals, I handled a wide range of civil and criminal cases, from family law to employment discrimination.
What I’m most proud of is the body of written opinions I authored—because to me, showing your work through clear, careful, and transparent writing is essential to maintaining confidence in the justice system and to making the law more accessible to the people it serves.
Q. What motivated you to transition from the bench to arbitration and/or mediation work, and how did you become connected with the AAA?
After nearly three decades as a litigator and my years on the bench, I was drawn to ADR because it allows for thoughtful, efficient, and equitable resolution of disputes. While I respect the litigation process, I believe ADR often achieves the same goals in ways that are less costly and more collaborative. I first became connected to the AAA through my close friend, Bridget McCormack, who encouraged me to bring my judicial and litigation experience to this work.
Q. What do you value most about serving as an arbitrator or mediator with the AAA?
What I value most is the ability to bring fairness not only to the outcome but to the process itself. In arbitration, I can take the time to really understand a case—the facts, the law, and the unique issues at stake.
That personalization and attentiveness are what parties deserve. It’s a privilege to create a process that is efficient, transparent, and respectful—where people feel not only heard but truly understood.
Q. How has your experience as a judge shaped your approach to ADR proceedings?
My years as both a judge and a litigator taught me to see cases from all sides of the courtroom. As a judge, I learned the importance of impartiality—setting aside personal views or past relationships and focusing only on the record and the law. That discipline carries directly into ADR, where my approach is to analyze carefully, research thoroughly, keep an open door to both sides, and ultimately “show my work” so that parties understand not just the decision, but the reasoning behind it.
Q. How do you approach case management in arbitration or mediation, and what strategies do you use to keep the process fair, efficient, and focused?
My philosophy is grounded in communication and efficiency. I encourage parties to talk to one another and to me if issues arise, and I maintain an open-door approach to problem-solving. I believe in setting clear rules and guardrails but also allowing flexibility when necessary to achieve fairness.
Above all, I strive to listen carefully, keep the process moving, and avoid unnecessary costs and delays.
Q. Without breaching confidentiality, can you share a moment or case in your ADR work that was particularly rewarding or illustrative of the process’s strengths?
While confidentiality prevents me from sharing specifics, I can say that what I find most rewarding is when parties feel genuinely heard and respected in the process. I’m a big believer that the litigant knows the case better than the lawyer or judge, which is why you must listen.
My role is not only to guide but to listen. Those moments when parties reach resolution because they feel the process was fair and transparent illustrate ADR’s greatest strength.
Q. What advice would you give to advocates or parties preparing for arbitration or mediation?
Be prepared but flexible. Preparation means knowing your case inside and out, but flexibility means listening as much as you speak and being open to compromise.
ADR is less formal than court, which gives parties a chance to tell their story in a more compelling way—but real success comes when both sides are willing to engage, adjust, and look for progress.
Q. Have you noticed any trends or shifts in the types of disputes or in parties’ expectations in recent years?
I believe the ADR landscape is evolving because of widespread discontent with how the traditional court system functions. Too often, it’s slow, cumbersome, and inconsistent—cross a county line and you may find a completely different set of practices. That lack of stability makes it hard for lawyers and litigants alike to form reasonable expectations. ADR, by contrast, brings much more certainty. One reason is that arbitrators are carefully chosen for their expertise and deeply invested in running a fair, impartial, and efficient process. Even if the outcome isn’t everything a party hoped for, they can trust that the process was transparent, thoughtful, and even-handed.
Q. Which skills or qualities do you believe are most essential for a successful neutral, and how have you cultivated them?
Listening and patience are essential qualities for a neutral. I’ve learned patience in many arenas—certainly as a judge, but also as a mother of three sons. Impartiality and integrity are equally fundamental, because they build the trust that parties need to accept outcomes as fair. These qualities, combined with the discipline of thorough legal analysis, are what I bring to my role.
Q. Outside of your professional work, what activities, causes, or passions are important to you?
Teaching is what matters most to me because it keeps me learning. At Wayne State University Law School, I teach advanced legal writing, and the interaction with students is incredibly rewarding. I love being in the classroom, part of an active exchange. My students challenge me with fresh perspectives and remind me of the ripple effect we can have on the next generation of lawyers.