Judge Louise Alderson is a Lansing native who graduated from Eastern High School and holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and a J.D. from the Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law School.  She served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Clinton County working in the District, Circuit and Probate Courts.   She has also served in the House and Senate as Legal Counsel to the Judiciary Committee and as Legislative Director for the Executive Office.  Judge Alderson was appointed to the 54A District Court in 2001 and was successful in her retention election in 2002, and re-elected to the bench in 2004, 2010 and 2016.  The Michigan Supreme Court appointed Judge Alderson as Chief Judge on January 1, 2014 and re-appointed her in 2016 and 2018. 

As part of her judicial duties, Judge Alderson also presides over the specialized felony Sobriety Court whose mission is to enhance public safety and community welfare by reducing recidivism among drug and alcohol offenders.  That mission is accomplished through a team approach including intensive supervision, individualized treatment, and personal accountability which are monitored by frequent judicial review. 

Judge Alderson has served on many community boards, including EVE Inc., Michigan District Judges Association, Michigan Judicial Council, Girls Scouts of Michigan Capitol Council and the Zonta Club of Lansing.  She currently serves as the vice-chair of the Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law School and represents the Michigan District Judges Association on the State Drug Treatment Court Advisory Board.  Judge Alderson was appointed by the State Bar of Michigan to serve on the Judicial Ethics Committee as well as the Criminal Jurisprudence and Practice Committee.