LaKena Crespo is a native Detroiter and a lifetime Wayne County resident. She is a wife and mother of two. She obtained her education in the Detroit Public School System and graduated from The Detroit HS for the Fine and Performing Arts. Subsequently, she earned her Bachelor’s of Science Degree at Florida Memorial College (University), a Historical Black College/University. Her studies there were focused on Pre-Law. LaKena returned home and began her career as a case manager with Development Centers, Inc, a Michigan Works Affiliate Program, dedicated to assisting Detroit residents with training and gaining employment upon completion.
In 2006, LaKena began her legal journey at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Being that criminal justice is a passion of LaKena’s, she interned as appointed counsel for Harper Woods and Eastpointe District Courts. She also interned with the Legal Aid Defenders Association (LADA), where she represented indigent defendants against low and high level felonies. Upon graduating from UDM Law, LaKena hit the pavement running, representing clients in Criminal, Juvenile, and Family Law matters. Most of her practice was geared towards representing clients in criminal matters at the District and Circuit Court level.
In 2013, LaKena left solo practice and joined the City of Detroit’s Law Department as Assistant Corporation Counsel. This allowed LaKena to expand her legal experience as she was now tasked with lawsuits involving the No-Fault Act, 1983 Constitutional Claims, Criminal Prosecution, and Labor & Employment. She also appears in the Administrative arena, arguing Union Arbitrations, Civil Service hearings and MERC. As a City Attorney, LaKena has been given the opportunity to appear at the State and Federal Court of Appeals, where she has successfully argued many cases. Due to LaKena’s criminal justice background, she was approached by former Corp Counsel Melvin “Butch” Hollowell to assist in the implementation of the City of Detroit’s Project Clean Slate Program. This Program allows Detroiters the chance to expunge their criminal record and re-enter the workforce with a clean slate. LaKena’s experience in civil litigation afforded her the opportunity to sit as a Case Evaluator for the Mediation Tribunal Association (MTA). MTA is the selected provider for case evaluation services for Wayne County Circuit Court. In her role as Evaluator, LaKena listens to arguments by counsel and makes an evaluation of the worthiness of the case to foster settlement between the parties.
LaKena is also active in her community. She is a longtime volunteer and supporter of The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan. As a volunteer, LaKena mentors inner-city youth. She is also active in the community advocating for the necessity to participate in the voting process. This is exemplified in her works with Get Out The Vote (GOTV) initiatives and the NAACP. She has been active in community service work through her membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she has participated in Expungement Fairs, partnering with Salvation Army’s adopt-a-child program, Social Action Initiatives and various other programs.
As stated above, LaKena is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Detroit Alumnae Chapter, Black Women’s Lawyers Association, Wolverine Bar Association, National Employment Labor Council, The State Bar of Michigan, DRI, and various other clubs and organizations.
LaKena’s character, integrity, and experience would make her the perfect Judge for Wayne County Third Circuit Court. LaKena would bring to the bench her even temperament, fairness, and understanding as she navigates her way to restore trust to the justice system by breaking the brick wall that has been placed between the bench and the community. Elect LaKena Crespo for Wayne County Third Circuit Court.
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