Attorney is new director of Trial Court Services

Attorney Jennifer D. Warner is the new director of the State Court Administrative Office's Trial Court Services division, the Michigan Supreme Court announced last week. SCAO is the administrative arm of the Michigan Supreme Court. Trial Court Services serves the state's trial courts on a wide variety of issues, ranging from analyzing proposed legislation to helping judges manage their courts effectively, noted State Court Administrator Chad C. Schmucker, who until recently was a Jackson County circuit judge. "For example, if a court has trouble keeping up with its caseload, Trial Court Services advises the court on docket management," said Schmucker. "If a judge wants to start a drug court program, Trial Court Services helps with that. Few people outside the court system know anything about Trial Court Services, yet it's the primary consultant to Michigan's trial courts." Warner "is a natural choice for Trial Court Services director," Schmucker continued. "She has worked with the trial courts for many years and knows how they function. Courts that want to take their performance to the next level will benefit by her expertise." Warner was an assistant prosecuting attorney in Muskegon and Ionia counties before joining the Michigan Judicial Institute, SCAO's continuing education division, in 2002. As an MJI research attorney, Warner researched and wrote the Michigan Adoption Benchbook, a comprehensive guide for judges handling adoptions. Warner also contributed to numerous other publications, including benchbooks on child protective proceedings, contempt of court, domestic violence, and juvenile justice. In 2005, she joined Trial Court Services as a management analyst. Warner earned her undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University and her law degree from Shepard Broad Law Center, Nova Southeastern University. Warner resides in Haslett with her husband and two children. Published: Mon, Mar 26, 2012