Improving public service and court efficiency are on the to-do list for a group of newly-appointed state court chief judges. The Michigan Supreme Court announced the appointments last Friday. The two-year chief judge terms begin January 1, 2014.
Chief Justice Robert P. Young Jr. called the chief judge appointees "judicial leaders" who will further the Supreme Court's goals of improved public service, more efficient courts, and greater innovation, including increased use of technology.
Starting in 2011, the Supreme Court began requiring candidates for chief judge to submit applications detailing their goals for their courts, Young explained. As provided in Michigan Court Rule 8.110, chief judges oversee their courts' internal operations, finances, case management, work assignments, and more.
"Being a chief judge is a demanding job; it requires leadership, vision, and administrative skills," Young said. "In making these appointments, my fellow Justices and I look for all of those qualities, plus practical, innovative ideas about improving the courts. Our chief judges have to be committed to the goal of courts working smarter for a better Michigan."
Of the 148 chief judges the Supreme Court appointed last Friday, 46 will oversee more than one trial court in their judicial circuits, Young noted. "Increasingly, circuit, probate, and district courts in the same judicial circuit are consolidating some functions and administration for greater efficiency and savings. The Supreme Court not only encourages but drives this movement, in part by appointing a single chief judge for multiple courts, rather than a separate chief judge for every circuit, probate, and district court."
The Supreme Court also announced that Court of Appeals Chief Judge William B. Murphy, who has served as that court's chief judge since January 2010, will continue as chief judge through 2014, to be succeeded by Judge Michael J. Talbot in January 2015. Talbot is currently serving as special judicial administrator of Detroit's 36th District Court.
"Traditionally, a chief judge of the Court of Appeals serves only two two-year terms, but with Chief Judge Murphy serving a fifth year, Judge Talbot will be able to continue in his role at the 36th District Court," Young said.
The Oakland County "judicial leaders" are:
Circuit Court Chief Judge Nanci J. Grant
Probate Court Chief Judge Elizabeth M. Pezzetti
52nd District Court Chief Judge Julie A. Nicholson
43rd District Court Chief Judge Joseph Longo
44th District Court Chief Judge Terrence H. Brennan
45th District Court Chief Judge Michelle Friedman Appel
45A District Court Chief Judge James L. Wittenberg
46th District Court Chief Judge William J. Richards
47th District Court Chief Judge Marla E. Parker
48th District Court Chief Judge Kimberly Small
50th District Court Chief Judge Cynthia Thomas Walker
51st District Court Chief Judge Richard D. Kuhn Jr.
Published: Mon, Oct 21, 2013
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