Magistrate Biographies

Magistrate Robert Badgley
Magistrate Badgley has served since his appointment in 1990.  He was a trial attorney with the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office from 1982 to 1985 and has been engaged in the private practice of law since 1985.  Magistrate Badgley is a graduate of the University of Detroit Law School and an active member of the State of Michigan and Oakland County Bar Associations.

Magistrate Melinda Balian
Melinda Balian was appointed as a Magistrate in 1999.  Ms. Balian also works in the private sector as a Senior Associate with Frank, Haron, Weiner and Navarro located in Troy, Michigan.  Ms. Balian specializes in management oriented employment law by providing employers counseling and advice in human resource compliance and has successfully represented numerous Fortune 500 companies, as well as a number of small to mid-sized companies, in all facets of litigation and arbitration, as well as defense of administrative claims.  Ms. Balian obtained her law degree from University of Detroit Mercy, School of Law and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University.  Ms. Balian is an active member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Oakland County Bar Association, the Rochester Bar Association and is a Fellow Member of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and the Oakland County Bar Foundation.

Magistrate Marie Soma
Magistrate Soma was appointed by the Judges of the 52/3 District Court in 1999.  In addition to serving as a magistrate, Magistrate Soma has a private practice where she handles civil, criminal and family law matters.  Ms. Soma is a graduate of The University of Michigan and The Detroit College of Law.

Magistrate Karen Truszkowski
Magistrate Truszkowski was appointed by the Judges of the 52/3 District Court in 2007.  In addition to serving as a magistrate, she is a visiting and adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.  Ms. Truszkowski is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School.