Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex to be lowered to half-staff on Thursday, May 29, 2025 to honor and remember former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Michael Cavanagh.

“Justice Michael Cavanagh dedicated his career to delivering justice and making a difference for the people of Michigan over his decades of public service,” said Governor Whitmer. “Justice Cavanagh was instrumental in establishing and expanding greater cooperation between our state and tribal courts, championed justice, and worked hard for all the people of Michigan. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and those who worked with and served alongside him.”

A Detroit native, Justice Cavanagh graduated from University of Detroit Jesuit High School in 1958. He pursued higher education at the University of Detroit, earning his B.A. in 1962. He then went on to receive his J.D. from the University of Detroit Law School in 1966.

Justice Cavanagh began his career in public service as a research attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals. In 1967, he became legal counsel for the city of Lansing, where he stayed until moving to private practice.

He continued his career of public service when he was elected to the then-recently created 54-A District Court in Lansing, before winning election to the state Court of Appeals in 1975. In 1983, Cavanagh was elected to the Michigan Supreme Court and went on to serve as Chief Justice from 1991-1995. A staunch advocate for equal rights, Justice Cavanagh was instrumental in establishing the state's Tribal Court Forum, supporting state-tribal relations. His tenure on the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court marks Justice Cavanagh as the longest serving appellate judge in our state’s history.

Former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Michael Cavanagh is survived by his wife, son, daughters, and grandchildren.

The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor, and service of former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Michael Cavanagh by lowering flags to half-staff. To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.

Flags should be returned to full staff on Friday, May 30, 2025.