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421 Madison St
Detroit,
Michigan
48207-4258
Phone: (313) 965-2200
Fax: (313) 965-3951
Real Property Law Advisory Board Member
Practice areas: Civil Litigation, Criminal Law
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Hon. Poncé D. Clay serves as a judge of the 36th District Court in Detroit, where he is assigned to one of Michigan's busiest landlord-tenant dockets. Before joining the bench, Judge Clay built a respected career as a Detroit attorney, concentrating in probate, real estate, and landlord-tenant matters, and was known for his precision, discipline, and unwavering respect for the rule of law. As a U.S. Navy veteran who served more than 20 years and retired as a Naval Officer, Judge Clay brings a service-driven ethic and a traditional, no-nonsense approach to judicial work. His legal career includes roles with the State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners, the Judicial Qualifications Committee, and past presidency of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association. He has also taught trial skills at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School and probate and real estate practice in the Oakland University Paralegal Program. Judge Clay is committed to strengthening Detroit's legal community through education, professionalism, and principled decision-making. His guiding values--service, justice, and Detroit--shape his work on and off the bench as he continues to mentor young lawyers, support community development efforts, and ensure fair, efficient courtroom practice for all who appear before him.