Title
Resolution to Honor and Celebrate the Life of Washtenaw County Deputy Chief Public Defender Lorne Brown
Body
Whereas, Lorne Brown was born on September 11, 1961, in Flint, Michigan, and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where his family and friends quickly recognized that he had a gift for arguing and would make an excellent attorney;
Whereas, Lorne Brown graduated from Pioneer High School and matriculated to the University of Michigan to pursue a degree in political science;
Whereas, Lorne Brown briefly left the University of Michigan to bravely and honorably serve this country in the United States Army, just as his mother and grandmother did before him;
Whereas, Lorne Brown returned to The University of Michigan and earned his undergraduate degree in political science;
Whereas, Lorne Brown was one of the distinguished men of Phi Beta Sigma’s Delta Rho chapter, where he actively served and mentored alongside his brothers for over 45 years;
Whereas, Lorne Brown was one of the rare University of Michigan undergraduate students to be accepted into Michigan Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor;
Whereas, Lorne Brown interned with the Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Office during law school, where he learned that he loved using the law to fight for others, and was officially hired into that office by Lloyd E. Powell one year after graduation;
Whereas, Lorne Brown served in the Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Office for 34 years, rising through the ranks until he held the position of Deputy Chief Public Defender;
Whereas, Lorne Brown believed that any person with a desire to learn the law, and a willingness to use that knowledge to fight for their clients, could be a good attorney;
Whereas, Lorne Brown mentored and befriended an entire generation of new lawyers, giving generously of his time and talents to ensure that his vast knowledge was passed down, and his good work would continue long after his time on earth was done;
Whereas, Countless people owe their freedom and dignity to the tremendous skill, dedication and tenacity of Lorne Brown, who successfully defended them against criminal charges that could not, in the face of his fierce advocacy, be proven beyond a reasonable doubt;
Whereas, Lorne Brown shared his life with his wife Carloyn Cole-Brown and their two incredible daughters, Elyse and Lorna;
Whereas, Lorne Brown was a die-hard Wolverine who nonetheless proudly posed for pictures in front of Sparty when his youngest daughter graduated from Michigan State University - because he loved the Wolverines, but he always loved his family more;
Whereas, Lorne Brown passed away on July 16, 2026, leaving Ann Arbor and its vibrant legal community shocked and saddened by his loss; and
Whereas, Lorne Brown will forever be remembered as a beacon of hope and justice in a world that desperately needs more champions of his extraordinary caliber;
RESOLVED, The Ann Arbor City Council requests that a tree be planted in Lorne Brown’s memory in one of Ann Arbor’s many beautiful parks as a small way of honoring a legal giant who so many were honored to call a mentor and friend; and
RESOLVED, The Ann Arbor City Council shall observe a moment of silence to remember and reflect on the life of Lorne Brown and his good and faithful service to our community.
Sponsored by: Councilmember Harrison