Improving public service and court efficiency are on the “to do” list for a group of newly-appointed state court chief judges.
In announcing the appointments Friday, Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr., called the chief judges “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, 46 will oversee more than one trial court in their judicial circuits, Young noted.
In Macomb County, Judge John C. Foster will continue on as chief circuit court and probate court judge and will oversee 42nd district court as well.
“Increasingly, courts in the same judicial circuit are consolidating some functions and administration for greater efficiency and savings,” Young said. “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 currently is 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 two-year appointments take effect Jan. 1, 2014.
Other Macomb County chief judge appointments are:
• 37th District Court — Judge John M. Chmura
• 38th District Court — Judge Carl F. Gerds, III
• 39th District Court — Judge Catherine B. Steenland
• 40th District Court — Judge Joseph Craigen Oster
• 41A District Court — Judge Michael S. Maceroni
• 41B District Court — Judge Sebastian Lucido
In Oakland County, Judge Nanci J. Grant will serve as chief Circuit Court Judge while Judge Elizabeth M. Pezzetti will preside over Oakland County Probate Court.
Other appointments in Oakland County are:
• 52nd District Court — Judge Julie A. Nicholson
• 43rd District Court — Judge Joseph Longo
• 44th District Court — Judge Terrence H. Brennan
• 45th District Court —?Judge Michelle Friedman Appel
• 45A District Court — Judge James L. Wittenberg
• 46th District Court — Judge William J. Richards
• 47th District Court — Judge Marla E. Parker
• 48th District Court — Judge Kimberly Small
• 50th District Court — Judge Cynthia Thomas Walker
• 51st District Court — Judge Richard D. Kuhn, Jr.
In Wayne County, Judge Robert J. Colombo Jr., has been appointed circuit court chief judge: Judge Milton L. Mack Jr. will serve as chief judge at probate court.
• Other Wayne County chief judge appointments are:
• 16th District Court — Judge Sean P. Kavanagh
• 17th District Court — Judge Karen Khalil
• 18th District Court — Judge Mark A. McConnell
• 19th District Court — Judge Sam A. Salamey
• 20th District Court — Judge David Turfe
• 21st District Court — Judge Richard L. Hammer, Jr.
• 22nd District Court — Judge Sabrina L. Johnson
• 23rd District Court — Judge Geno Salomone
• 24th District Court — Judge John T. Courtright
• 25th District Court — Judge Michael F. Ciungan
• 27th District Court— Judge Randy L. Kalmbach
• 28th District Court — Judge James A. Kandrevas
• 29th District Court — Judge Laura Redmond Mack
• 30th District Court — Judge Brigette R. Officer
• 31st District Court — Judge Paul J. Paruk
• 32A District Court — Judge Roger J. La Rose
• 33rd District Court — Judge Jennifer Coleman Hesson
• 34th District Court— Judge Tina Brooks Green
• 35th District Court — Judge James A. Plakas
• 36th District Court — Judge Nancy J. Blount
• Grosse Pte. Municipal Court — Judge Russell F. Ethridge
• Grosse Pte. Farms Municipal Court — Judge Matthew R. Rumora
• Grosse Pte. Park Municipal Court — Judge Carl F. Jarboe
• Grosse Pte. Woods Municipal Court— Judge Theodore A. Metry
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