ZVMLaw Successfully Advocates for Gender-Neutral Model Civil Jury Instructions

On July 8, 2024, the Michigan Committee on Model Civil Jury Instructions adopted a number of amendments incorporating gender-neutral language into the Model Civil Jury Instructions, including modifying instructions that addressed jurors as “Ladies and Gentlemen” with “Members of the jury” or “Good morning / afternoon.”  

In adopting the new amendments, the committee acknowledged ZVMLaw’s advocacy in highlighting certain instructions containing binary gender pronouns.  As ZVMLaw attorneys wrote in a letter to the committee earlier this year, revising those instructions with gender-neutral language sends a welcoming and affirming message to Michigan jurors, litigants, and court personnel of all gender identities that they can and should participate in the state’s justice system just as they are. 

The firm applauds the committee’s swift action on this issue.