Judge Biographies

Honorable James B. Brady

Judge James Brady was elected district judge in November 2002 and began his first six-year term on January 1, 2003. He served a two year term as the Court’s chief judge in 2004-05. Prior to his election to the bench, he served the Court for 17 years as a magistrate, having been appointed to that position in 1986 by Judge Margaret Schaeffer. In addition, he served as an assistant prosecutor for Oakland County from 1980 – 1984 and worked in the private practice of law from 1984 – 2002.

Judge Brady is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and previously served on its Character and Fitness Committee. He also is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association, the Michigan District Judges Association and the Oakland County District Judges Association. He earned a Bachelor of General Studies degree in 1975 from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree in 1979 from Wayne State University Law School.

Judge Brady has been married to Diane for 30 years and they have three children, Andrea, Mary and Jim. A resident of Farmington Hills for over twenty years, Judge Brady has a long record of community involvement including coaching youth hockey and baseball. He is a member of the Exchange Club and the Optimist Club and former treasurer for Farmington Families in Action.

Honorable Marla E. Parker

Judge Marla Parker is currently serving her 16th year as Judge of the 47th District Court. Prior to her election to the bench, Judge Parker was a magistrate for the Court and maintained a private law practice in Farmington Hills. She has served several terms as the Court’s chief judge.

Judge Parker is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA), the Women’s Bar Association, the National Association of Women Judges, and the American Bar Association. She is a past president of the Oakland County District Judges Association and is a former member of the OCBA Board of Directors. A frequent speaker at seminars for new lawyers, she has also been a faculty member for the Michigan Judicial Institute’s new judges seminar. Judge Parker holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University Law School.

An active member of the Farmington/Farmington Hills community, Judge Parker is on the Board of the Farmington/Farmington Hills Foundation for Youth and Families and is a member of the Exchange Club and the Call-to-Action Coalition. In addition, she is a member of the joint Farmington Hills and Farmington Commission on Children, Youth and Families, where she was recently recognized for her numerous years chairing the volunteer recognition committee. Judge Parker is married and has one daughter.