Hon. Deborah McNabb: Human of CASA

From the time she was a little girl watching Perry Mason with her dad, Judge Deborah McNabb knew she wanted to be a lawyer. What captivated her wasn’t the courtroom drama but the idea that justice could protect those who had no one else to fight for them. That spark has guided her ever since.

Her legal career began at Michigan Migrant Legal Aid, where she stood beside families with little voice or protection. “I always wanted to make a difference and help the most vulnerable,” she recalls. That commitment has shaped every step of her journey—through 25 years as a Circuit Court Referee in the family division and now as the first woman to serve as Chief Judge of the Kent County Circuit Court.

Though she never planned to work in family court, it became the place where her calling met the greatest need. She has witnessed the instability children face—homes and caregivers shifting, caseworkers stretched thin, their stories at risk of being lost in the system. Her response has been to fight for stability, dignity, and hope.

One of her proudest initiatives is the “One Family, One Judge” model, ensuring that the same judge or referee handles all aspects of a child’s case—whether it involves custody, divorce, paternity, or delinquency. “The same judge will see everything pertaining to a child,” she explains. “And consistency is huge.” Behind her words lies the deep understanding that stability is more than a legal principle – it is a lifeline for children whose worlds have already been turned upside down.

Judge McNabb also recognizes the quiet but powerful role of CASA volunteers, who step into the gaps that overburdened caseworkers can’t always fill. She has seen firsthand how their steady presence and heartfelt advocacy bring comfort to children and clarity to the court. “They know the children. They are able to navigate stressful situations. They strongly speak up for their best interests,” she says with gratitude.

Judge McNabb’s influence stretches beyond the courtroom. She is determined to leave the child welfare system stronger than she found it. She collaborates with child welfare professionals and asks the hard but necessary questions: Why is this happening? Where are the gaps? How can we improve? Her persistence isn’t just about making her own work more effective – it’s about building a foundation of change that will serve children long after her tenure ends.

For Judge McNabb, serving the vulnerable has never been just a job. It is a calling rooted in compassion, strengthened by perseverance, and carried out with the unwavering belief that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and protected.

This post is part of our 2025 Humans of CASA of Kent County campaign. Click here to check out the campaign webpage and read more featured stories.