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Judge
Baillargeon is the seventh
of nine children born to William (Bill) and Agnes Baillargeon. This
family of eleven was modestly, though lovingly, supported by his father’s
work as  an
auto mechanic. Judge Baillargeon worked on local farms and participated
in varsity sports (football,
wrestling) throughout high school. He learned early the value of hard
work and determination, putting himself through college and law school.
Upon his graduation from law school in 1985 he was admitted to practice
law in Michigan and has practiced here ever since. The primary focus
of his career has been defending small businesses, first in general
lawsuits,
later in actions brought in worker’s compensation bureaus.Judge Baillargeon was named by the Republican majority in the Senate to its slate of candidates for Workman’s Compensation Magistrate. In a process that alternates between the Governor’s slate and the Senate’s slate, he was named from the Republican Senate slate to be a Magistrate in the Kalamazoo Bureau of Worker’s Compensation. Serving well, he established a reputation for exceptional judicial demeanor and fairness. In May 2007, Judge Baillargeon replaced retiring Hon. Harry A. Beach as 48th Circuit Court Judge by gubernatorial appointment. He served beside Chief Judge George Corsiglia. He has earned the respect and full support of Judge Beach, Chief Judge Corsiglia and many others as the experienced Circuit Court Judge for Allegan County. More recently, when Judge Sheridan retired, this reputation along with the strong response from the law enforcement community and the strong judicial qualifications committee recommendation, Judge Baillargeon was appointed to the 57th District Court. Judge Baillargeon currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Wings of Hope Hospice, the Board of Directors for Allegan County United Way, the Board of Directors of the Children’s Museum of Fennville, and the Board of Advisors of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) a program providing a voice to children involved in abuse and neglect cases. He continues to work hard with several organizations throughout Allegan County including Sylvia’s Place; Allegan Rotary; the Allegan, Plainwell, Otsego, Fennville, Saugatuck, Douglas and Glenn Chambers of Commerce. He is a member of the Lion’s Club, the Douglas Council of the Knights of Columbus, and the Bishop Greco Council 2135 of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He is a member of Fennville Rod and Gun Club and has taught the CCW classes conducted there. He is also a member of Ducks Unlimited. He has been involved with the Allegan Citizen Police Academy, Allegan County Victims Services Unit, Allegan County Community Corrections, Allegan Senior Fest, Triad and extensive outreach programs to schools throughout the county. He has been a weekly tutor at Douglas Elementary Schools for the LIFT Program. He reads extensively at elementary schools throughout the county. For the young and soon to be adults in our middle and high schools he brings a "Court in Schools" program at which the students can learn first hand the court procedures and consequences involved in drug and alcohol offenses. Faith is central to his life. He attends St. Peters church in Douglas, Michigan where he is a lector and during the week attends mass at Blessed Sacrament in Allegan where he also serves as lector when possible. At St. Margaret's Parish in Otsego, Judge Baillargeon participated and presented at their Home Town Mission, the confirmation retreat and the Respect Life Fair. Through them, he became aware of and participated in the United 4 Youth "To Save a Life" program. He annually provides a commencement address to the graduating students of St. Mary Visitation Catholic School. He is a strong supporter of Forgotten Man Ministries and meets with Chaplin Bill and his staff as often as he is able to do so. |