Longtime court administrator Tabitha Wedge to receive Liberty Bell Award
Wedge has served the St. Joseph County courts for nearly 40 years. She began her tenure with the 3B District Court in September 1987 while still a senior at Centreville High School. Over the course of her career, she has served in multiple roles before being appointed Court Administrator/Magistrate in July 2006.
The St. Joseph County Bar Associated has announced that Tabitha Wedge, 3B District Court Administrator/Magistrate, is the recipient of the 2026 Liberty Bell Award.
Established May 1, 1985, the Liberty Bell Award is presented annually on Law Day to a non-lawyer, individual or organization within St. Joseph County who has made an outstanding contribution to the community by promoting a better understanding of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, encouraging greater respect for the law and the courts, fostering a deeper sense of individual responsibility, contributing to the effective functioning of private and governmental institutions, and advancing appreciation of the rule of law.
Wedge has served the St. Joseph County courts for nearly 40 years. She began her tenure with the 3B District Court in September 1987 while still a senior at Centreville High School. Over the course of her career, she has served in multiple roles before being appointed Court Administrator/Magistrate in July 2006.
She has worked with four district court judges: William L. McManus, William D. Welty, Robert K. Pattison and Jeffrey C. Middleton.
Wedge is also a past president of the Michigan Association of Court Administrators and was named Court Administrator of the Year in 2014.
The award ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 30, 2026, in the historic courtroom (former Commissioner’s Room) on the third floor of the St. Joseph County Historic Courthouse. The ceremony is being held a day early due to the court’s typically heavy caseload on May 1.
St. Joseph County Bar Association President Ross Truckey will present the award. The public is invited to attend, and a reception will follow.
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