A number of attorneys have been appointed to state boards and commissions by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, it was announced October 1.
Judge Yasmine Poles, Judge Chris Ninomiya, and Matthew Way have been named to the Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect.
Poles, of Birmingham, is a judge of the Michigan 6th Circuit Court. Poles previously served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Macomb County. Poles holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from the Wayne State University Law School. She will be reappointed to represent civil court judges for a term commencing January 1, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2029.
Ninomiya, of Iron Mountain, is a judge of the Michigan 41st Circuit Court. Ninomiya holds a Bachelor of Arts in pre-law studies from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor from the Wayne State University Law School. Ninomiya will be reappointed to represent criminal court judges for a term commencing January 1, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2029.
Matthew Way, of Mason, is the chief appellate attorney at the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office. Way holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School. Way will be reappointed to represent prosecuting attorneys for a term commencing January 1, 2027, and expiring December 31, 2029.
Timothy Schnelle, of Howell, has been appointed to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Schnelle is a retired attorney and master level assessor (IV). Schnelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Michigan, a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School, and a Master of Science in professional accountancy from Walsh College. Schnelle will be appointed as an at-large member for term commencing November 8, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2027. Schnelle will succeed Jesse Kirchner, who will have resigned.
Ian Hickman, of Royal Oak, has been named to the Michigan Board of Nursing. An attorney at Hewson & Van Hellemont, P.C., Hickman holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School. Hickman is appointed as a member of the public for a term commencing October 1, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2030. He succeeds Joseph Thurston, whose term has expired.
Christopher Anderson, of Charlotte, has been appointed to the Michigan Board of Occupational Therapists. The chief assistant prosecuting attorney for Eaton County, Anderson holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Trine University and a Juris Doctor from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is appointed as a member of the general public for a term commencing October 1, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2029. Anderson succeeds Gregory Zimmerman, whose term has expired.
John Dewane, of Williamston, has been named to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. Dewane serves as the Ingham County Prosecutor, and has worked in the Ingham County Prosecutor’s office since 2001. Dewane holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of South Carolina and a Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School. Dewane will be appointed as an individual nominated by the Prosecuting Attorneys
Association of Michigan for a term commencing January 1, 2027, and expiring December 31, 2030. Dewane succeeds Michael Wendling whose term will have expired.
Judge Yasmine Poles, Judge Chris Ninomiya, and Matthew Way have been named to the Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect.
Poles, of Birmingham, is a judge of the Michigan 6th Circuit Court. Poles previously served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Macomb County. Poles holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from the Wayne State University Law School. She will be reappointed to represent civil court judges for a term commencing January 1, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2029.
Ninomiya, of Iron Mountain, is a judge of the Michigan 41st Circuit Court. Ninomiya holds a Bachelor of Arts in pre-law studies from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor from the Wayne State University Law School. Ninomiya will be reappointed to represent criminal court judges for a term commencing January 1, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2029.
Matthew Way, of Mason, is the chief appellate attorney at the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office. Way holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School. Way will be reappointed to represent prosecuting attorneys for a term commencing January 1, 2027, and expiring December 31, 2029.
Timothy Schnelle, of Howell, has been appointed to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Schnelle is a retired attorney and master level assessor (IV). Schnelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Michigan, a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School, and a Master of Science in professional accountancy from Walsh College. Schnelle will be appointed as an at-large member for term commencing November 8, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2027. Schnelle will succeed Jesse Kirchner, who will have resigned.
Ian Hickman, of Royal Oak, has been named to the Michigan Board of Nursing. An attorney at Hewson & Van Hellemont, P.C., Hickman holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School. Hickman is appointed as a member of the public for a term commencing October 1, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2030. He succeeds Joseph Thurston, whose term has expired.
Christopher Anderson, of Charlotte, has been appointed to the Michigan Board of Occupational Therapists. The chief assistant prosecuting attorney for Eaton County, Anderson holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Trine University and a Juris Doctor from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is appointed as a member of the general public for a term commencing October 1, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2029. Anderson succeeds Gregory Zimmerman, whose term has expired.
John Dewane, of Williamston, has been named to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. Dewane serves as the Ingham County Prosecutor, and has worked in the Ingham County Prosecutor’s office since 2001. Dewane holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of South Carolina and a Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School. Dewane will be appointed as an individual nominated by the Prosecuting Attorneys
Association of Michigan for a term commencing January 1, 2027, and expiring December 31, 2030. Dewane succeeds Michael Wendling whose term will have expired.
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