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Michael Cavanagh

1940 – 2025

American judge

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About Michael Cavanagh

Lived 1940 – 2025 (aged 84). Michael Cavanagh was a lawyer and judge.

Michael Francis Cavanagh (October 21, 1940 – May 20, 2025) was an American justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.

Life and career Cavanagh was born in Lansing, Michigan, U.S. and a younger brother of Jerome Cavanagh who was Mayor of Detroit in the 1960s. He earned a B.A. degree from the University of Detroit in 1962 and his JD degree from the University of Detroit Law School in 1966.

He previously served as a judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals from 1975 to 1982. Before that, he served as Lansing City Attorney and as a District Court judge.

Cavanagh served as chief justice from 1991 to 1995.

In November 2018, his daughter, Megan Cavanagh, was elected as an associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, and became the first child to have joined her parent as a member of the Court since 1857. He died on May 20, 2025, at the age of 84.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Education
University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Also known as
Michael Francis Cavanagh

People in Michael Cavanagh's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Michael Cavanagh's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Michael Cavanagh?

American judge

When was Michael Cavanagh born?

Michael Cavanagh was born on 21 October 1940.

When did Michael Cavanagh die?

Michael Cavanagh died on 20 May 2025.

What was Michael Cavanagh's occupation?

Michael Cavanagh was a lawyer and judge.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Michael Cavanagh

· Wikidata: Q6829179

· DBpedia: Michael Cavanagh (judge)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Michael Cavanagh. https://biography.guide/michael-cavanagh/

MLA: "Michael Cavanagh." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/michael-cavanagh/.

Chicago: "Michael Cavanagh." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/michael-cavanagh/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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