Insider Intelligence

On Friday, January 6, the Michigan Supreme Court unanimously selected Justice Stephen Markman to serve as its new Chief Justice.  Justice Markman was appointed to the Court in 1999 and reelected in 2000, 2004, and 2012.  He succeeds Justice Robert P. Young, Jr., who served as Chief Justice since 2011.  “Justice Young did an incredible […]

On Monday, Governor Rick Snyder announced the appointment of Kevin Elsenheimer to the 13th Circuit Court, which covers Antrim, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau counties.  He fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Philip Rodgers.  He must seek election in November 2018 for the remainder of the term ending in 2020. Prior to his […]

This week, Governor Rick Snyder announced the appointment of Brock Swartzle to the Michigan Court of Appeals, 4th District.  Mr. Swartzle currently serves as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to the Michigan House of Representatives.  Prior to joining the House, he was a partner at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP.  Mr. Swartzle also […]

Next week, Michigan voters are taking to the polls to vote on several races.  On Tuesday, the MLC Blog outlined the two open Congressional seats in Michigan.  While Federal level races tend to get the most attention, state races are also important as they have a big effect on Michigan resident’s everyday lives. In the […]

On Monday, Governor Rick Snyder appointed Paul Cusick to the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Maria Oxholm.  Prior to his appointment to the bench, he was an Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division.  He previously served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Wayne […]

On Tuesday, the United States Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit ruled the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s structure is unconstitutional.  The Court stated the structure of the leadership within the bureau is a violation because it provides too much power to one person, the director of the bureau.  The bureau can continue to operate; however, it […]

This week, the Michigan Supreme Court denied a request by Governor Rick Snyder to issue an opinion on state funding for private schools.  In the 2016-2017 Fiscal Year budget, there was an appropriation of $2.5 million to cover the costs for private schools to comply with state mandates placed on all K-12 schools.  After signing […]

On Thursday, the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission held their 2016 Fall Conference in Ann Arbor.  The conference was held in partnership with the State Court Administrative Office, the Michigan Attorney General, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.  The conference brought together judicial staff, protective service workers, prosecutors, attorney guardians ad litem, defense […]