Magistrates at the 52-3 District Court

Melinda Balian was appointed as a Magistrate in 1998. Ms. Balian also works in the private sector as a Partner with the national firm of Foley & Mansfield, PLLP specializing in management oriented employment law representing both private and public employers in all areas of employment defense litigation, as well as defense of administrative claims. Ms. Balian obtained her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy, School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University.

Ms. Balian is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Oakland County Bar Association, the Rochester Bar Association and is a Fellow Member of the Oakland County Bar Foundation.

Ms. Balian is married to Aaron and she has three children. Ms. Balian enjoys being an active member of her community.

Magistrate Marie Soma was appointed to serve by the Judges of the 52-3 District Court in 1998. In addition to serving as a Magistrate, she is a partner in the firm of Soma & Soma. Her firm handles all aspects of civil, criminal and family law litigation, as well as estate planning. Ms. Soma is also an adjunct professor at Oakland Community College.

Ms. Soma received her B.A. from The University of Michigan in psychology and communications in 1988. She did some Master's work at Wayne State University, and received her Juris Doctorate from The Detroit College of Law.

She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Michigan Association of District Court Magistrates, Oakland County Bar Association and Rochester Bar Association.

Magistrate Karen Holt was appointed to serve by the Judges of the 52-3 District Court in 2018. Ms. Holt is a former Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Oakland County and has also served as a Public Defender. She focuses her private practice on criminal defense and family law.

Ms. Holt attended the University of Notre Dame and received her B.A. in Government with a Concentration in the Hesburgh School of Public Service. She received her Juris Doctorate from Notre Dame Law School in 1999.

Ms. Holt is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Michigan Association of District Court Magistrates, Oakland County Bar Association and Rochester Bar Association.