Michelson received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1989 from the University of Michigan.

From 1992 to 1993, she served as a law clerk to Judge Cornelia Groefsema Kennedy of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Her private practice specialized in media law, intellectual property and white collar criminal defense.

[1][2] On July 25, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Michelson to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, to the seat vacated by Judge George Caram Steeh III, who assumed senior status on January 29, 2013.

[3] On March 11, 2014, the United States Senate invoked cloture on her nomination by a 56–43 vote.