Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the following appointments:
-Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board
Melissa L. Pope is the chief judge of the Little Band of Ottawa Indians Tribal Court of Appeals. She was previously a staff attorney at the Women's Survival Center of Oakland County. Pope has a Bachelor of Literature, Science and the Arts from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. Pope is reappointed for a term commencing January 26, 2023, and expiring December 4, 2025.
The Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board coordinates and monitors programs and services for the prevention of domestic and sexual violence and the treatment of victims of domestic and sexual violence.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Workers' Compensation Board of Magistrates
Michael Heck is a magistrate for the Workers' Compensation Board of Magistrates. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Social Science and Master of Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University. He earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Heck is reappointed for a term commencing January 27, 2023, and expiring January 26, 2027.
William W. Watkinson Jr. is a managing partner and trial attorney at Bernstein & Bernstein. Watkinson received his Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of William and Mary and his law degree from Case Western Reserve University. Watkins is appointed for a term commencing January 27, 2023, and expiring January 26, 2027. He succeeds David Gruenwald whose term has expired.
The Workers' Compensation Board of Magistrates was established as an autonomous entity within the Workers' Disability Compensation Agency per Executive Order No. 2019-13. Only workers' compensation magistrates can hear cases for which an application for hearing has been filed with the Workers' Disability Compensation Agency. The Board of Magistrates hears cases regarding any dispute that arises under the Michigan Worker's Disability Compensation Act of 1969.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
