[an error occurred while processing this directive] Cliff Taylor '64
taken from the January 2002 Cross & Crescent

While serving as Interfraternity Council president as an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, Taylor persuaded the university administration to cede to the 45-chapter student-run IFC the judicial authority to handle fraternity violations of university regulations.

Previously, IFC had authority to manage only the violations of its own rules, not those of the university.

This signaled a dramatic change in policy at a time when in loco parentis (in the place of a parent) had been the norm in college-student relations virtually since the founding of the fraternity movement in 1776. His accomplishment was the subject of the November 1963 Cross & Crescent (the magazine of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity), which featured Taylor and University President Dr. Harlan Hatcher on the cover.

A native of Flint, Michigan, Taylor graduated from the University of Michigan in 1964, and earned his law degree from George Washington University in 1967. After a three-year tour of duty as a line officer in the U.S. Navy and one year as an assistant prosecuting attorney, he spent 20 years in private law practice.

In emulation of Abraham Lincoln's inability to win early political campaigns for a variety of offices, Taylor ran unsuccessfully for Congress from Michigan's 6th District in 1974 and 1976, and for Michigan state attorney general in 1990.

But his outstanding record as a lawyer brought the highest ratings for competence and character by lawyer rating organizations. In 1992, he was appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals by Governor John Engler and was subsequently elected to a six-year term.

His service on that court was cut short in 1997 with his appointment as a justice of the Michigan Supreme Court by Governor Engler to fill a vacancy, and the following year, he was elected to fill the remainder of that term. In 2000 he was elected to the Supreme Court for a full eight-year term to expire in 2008.

On January 6, 2005, Taylor was chosen by his fellow justices to serve as chief justice. Every two years, the justices elect one of their colleagues to serve as chief justice for a term of two years.