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On Dec. 11, 2024, Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Clement appointed Cass County Courts’ Probate Register Kelley James-Jura, of Dowagiac, to serve on the Commission on Well-Being in the Law. James-Jura will serve on the Commission for a three-year term effective Jan. 1, 2025, and ending Dec. 31, 2027.

The Commission was established by order of the Michigan Supreme Court in 2023 based on the recommendation of the Task Force on Well-Being in the Law. The 35-member commission is an ongoing interdisciplinary commission designed to build on the work of the task force by identifying and implementing strategies to reduce stress and mental health strain in the legal profession, eliminate stigma related to seeking help, and educate members of the legal profession on well-being issues. Members of the commission serve without compensation.

The commission’s objectives are directly related to the findings outlined in the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being 2017 report that highlighted the struggles of those in the legal profession, such as depression and substance abuse.

“It is critical that members of the legal profession begin taking steps toward addressing the stress and mental health impact that can come from the fast-paced, high-volume nature of the legal profession as well as the reality of the impact of secondary trauma from working on cases involving traumatic events,” said Cass County Courts’ Chief Judge, Carol M. Bealor. “The commission’s work is crucial in getting the conversation started, and having Attorney Kelley James-Jura as a member allows not only a voice for attorneys practicing in Probate Court, but also a voice for attorneys in smaller, rural counties such as Cass.”

James-Jura joined the Cass County Probate Court as the Probate Register/Adoption Specialist in 2015. She currently oversees the daily operations of the Probate Court, which handles various court proceedings, including estates, guardianships, conservatorships, mental hearings, and adoptions. She provides supervision to the Probate Court File Room staff and serves as a member of the Cass County Courts’ Judicial Council, which coordinates initiatives for the three Cass County Courts.