It is well recognized that advocates of Shared Parenting have a difficult time accepting many judges as being friends to families when they see family after family destroyed by biased decision in family courts.  DADS and MOMS of Michigan might just be the acceptance to that rule.  At the annual Awards Gala for the organizations which was held on March 17th, 2007 at the Westin Hotel in Southfield, the two organizations gave an award to Judge William Callahan for being "Judge of the Year".

Having a change in this relationship, with judges accepting fathers as equals in raising children and recognizing their value to the chidlren will help to change this relationship.  And it is important for this relationship to change if family values are ever to be protected.

According to DADS and MOMS of Michigan, Judge Callahan is known for being a big advocate for education on teaching parents on what "being a good parents" means. He consistently provides leadership with his instructions to the parents that their children need both parents and they must become examples to their children.

Judge Bill Calahan was first elected as a Judge to the Third Judicial Circuit Court Detroit Michigan in 1997.  He has served in the Family Division since it was formed in 1997.  Before assuming the bench, he was an attorney in Detroit, MI for 22 years.  He served one year in the Marines in Viet Nam as part of a machine gun fire team in 1967.

"We know that it is important to the overall health and social well being of the children to have both parents involved in their upbringing.
This is about children needing both parents, I don't see it so much as 'shared custody' where one parent gets to see the kids on the weekends, this is about 'shared parenting' and keeping the parents involved in their children's lives. I'm honored to receive the Judge of the year award from the Dads and Moms of Michigan," said Judge Bill Callahan.

Its great to see a judicial officer demonstrate to his community his genuine concern for famiies and especially children.  Its also great to see an organization thanking a judge for helping promote stronger families.  Its a model to be complimented!  Judge Callahan, we salute you!