Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Wednesday the appointments of Steven Bieda to the 37th District Court – Warren and Center Line and Ariana Heath to the Genesee County Probate Court.
"I am excited to appoint Mr. Bieda to the 37th District Court,” said Governor Whitmer. “He brings years of experience as an attorney, elected official, and public servant to the bench. He will uphold the rule of law and put the people he serves first.”
Bieda currently serves as the Chairperson of the Michigan Tax Tribunal. He has been with the Tax Tribunal since 2019 as an administrative court judge, where he has conducted hearings in both the Small Claims and Entire Tribunal divisions. In his role as Chairperson, he oversees a team of 25 employees, eight of whom are attorneys, and has also been instrumental in developing policies for the Tribunal.
Bieda has been a member of the State Bar of Michigan since 1993 and has previously served as attorney in local and private practice. He was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives from 2003-2009 and served in the Michigan Senate from 2011-2019. Prior to his current role, he worked at the Michigan Department of Treasury as Director of Legislative Affairs.
Bieda earned his undergraduate degree in Public Policy and Master of Public Administration from Wayne State University, his Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and a Master of Tax Law from Wayne State University School of Law. He has been admitted to the U.S. Tax Court and Federal Bar.
"I am honored to receive this appointment to the bench, and I look forward to returning to service in my hometown,” said Bieda. “The pursuit of justice has always been a motivating factor in my varied public service career, whether in private practice, as an administrative court judge, or as a legislator. I look forward to continuing this service and joining my new colleagues in the 37th District Court."
This appointment was made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Matthew Sabaugh effective April 13, 2022. Mr. Bieda’s term will commence on February 1, 2023 and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2025.
Heath currently serves as a circuit court referee for the Genesee County Family Court. In this role, she presides over family law cases, juvenile delinquency hearings, and child protective proceedings.
Prior to joining the court in 2016, Heath was an assistant prosecutor for Lapeer County and Tuscola County and a domestic relations referee for Tuscola County. She previously served as a law clerk for Judge Thomas S. Eveland on the 56th District Court in Eaton County and as a legal intern for and KidsVoice in Pittsburgh, PA and Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut of the 7th Circuit Court.
Heath earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School, and she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida.
“As a fourth generation Genesee County resident, it is the honor of my life to serve my community as a probate judge,” said Heath. “I want to thank Governor Whitmer for this opportunity and look forward to serving the people of Genesee County.”
This appointment was made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Frances Kay Behm effective December 15, 2022. Ms. Heath’s term will commence on January 11, 2023 and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2025.
Judicial appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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