GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Members of the State Bar of Michigan are hereby notified that the following elections will be held in June 2022:
- A statewide election for a non-judicial member of the Judicial Tenure Commission
- Elections for 68 members of the Representative Assembly in 40 judicial circuits
- Elections for seven members of the Board of Commissioners in five commissioner districts
- Elections for members of the Young Lawyers Section Executive Council in three districts
Petitions (linked below) must be filed with the State Bar, not earlier than Friday, April 1, nor later than Saturday, April 30.
Nominating petitions for all elections also are available on pages 44-48 in the March 2022 issue of the Michigan Bar Journal.
Please use the following procedures for completing and submitting petitions:
- Scan and email your completed petitions to csharlow@michbar.org, rather than faxing or mailing them.
- As a substitute for physical signatures, we will accept “electronic confirmation of nomination” signatures in the following format:
I support the nomination of [CANDIDATE ATTORNEY’S NAME] to serve on the [POSITION] for the [XX] District/Circuit.
My office is located in the [XX] District/Circuit.
[NOMINATING ATTORNEY’S NAME]
[NOMINATING ATTORNEY’S P NUMBER]
[NOMINATING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE ADDRESS]
- All “electronic confirmation signatures” must be attached and emailed to csharlow@michbar.org when submitting a nominating petition.
Electronic ballots for the 2022 election will be distributed no later than June 1, 2022, and must be received, postmarked, or completed online no later than June 15, 2022. Ballots will be sent to the email address on file with the State Bar. To ensure you receive a ballot and notifications about the election, please make certain that the State Bar has your current email address on file at e.michbar.org/Account/My-Profile.
Ballots will be distributed no later than June 1, 2022, and must be received postmarked or completed online no later than June 15, 2022.
If you have questions, contact Marge Bossenbery at mbossenbery@michbar.org or Carrie Sharlow at csharlow@michbar.org.
JUDICIAL TENURE COMMISSION
Active members will elect one non-judicial member of the Judicial Tenure Commission for a term of three years, beginning on Jan. 1, 2023, and expiring on Dec. 31, 2025. Article 6, Section 30 of the Michigan Constitution provides that three of the Commission’s nine members shall be State Bar members elected by the members of the State Bar. One of these shall be a judge and two shall not be judges. The seat to be filled by an election in 2022 is to be held by a member who is not a judge. It is now held by:
Thomas J. Ryan
Any active member of the State Bar who is not a judge may be nominated by petitions bearing the signatures of not fewer than 50 active members of the State Bar. No member may sign a nominating petition for more than one Judicial Tenure Commission candidate. All signatures in violation of this rule will be deemed invalid. It is suggested to persons circulating petitions that at least 75 signatures be obtained to ensure that at least 50 valid signatures remain should any be ruled invalid or be found illegible and therefore unverifiable.
REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
Active members in certain judicial circuits will elect members of the Representative Assembly for their circuits as follows:
- The terms of certain elected members of the Assembly from judicial circuits as indicated below will expire at the close of the September 2022 meeting of the Representative Assembly. These seats are to be filled by election in June 2022 for terms of three years.
- Vacancies in certain judicial circuits as indicated below are to be filled by election for the balance of the respective unexpired terms. The candidates elected will assume their office immediately upon the certification of their election in June 2022.
- Terms of Assembly members in certain judicial circuits as indicated below, who serve by virtue of interim appointment by the Representative Assembly to fill seats for which there were no candidates for election in 2021, expire immediately upon certification of the election of their successors in June 2022 for the balance of the respective unexpired terms.
NOTE
* Cannot run for reelection having served two consecutive three-year terms.
+ Assembly interim appointee eligible to run for election
1ST CIRCUIT – HILLSDALE COUNTY
Elect 1 for a two-year term expiring at the close of the September 2024 Representative Assembly meeting.
1 Vacancy
2ND CIRCUIT – BERRIEN COUNTY
Elect 1 for a two-year term expiring at the close of the September 2024 Representative Assembly meeting.
1 Vacancy
3RD CIRCUIT – WAYNE COUNTY
Elect 2 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Elect 1 for a two-year term expiring at the close of the September 2024 Representative Assembly meeting.
Elect 2 for a one-year term expiring at the close of the September 2023 Representative Assembly meeting.
+Ponce D. Clay, Detroit
*Daniel J. Ferris, Detroit
Kristina Robinson Garrett, Detroit
+Lisa Whitney Timmons, Detroit
1 Vacancy
4TH CIRCUIT – JACKSON COUNTY
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Rebecca K. Arnold, Jackson
6TH CIRCUIT – OAKLAND COUNTY
Elect 8 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Elect 2 for a two-year term expiring at the close of the September 2024 Representative Assembly meeting.
*Michael J. Blau, Farmington
Karen R. Geibel, Troy
Peter M. Grace, Birmingham
Edward L. Haroutunian, Bingham Farms
Emily A. Karr, New Hudson
Joshua A. Lerner, Royal Oak
Michael E. Sawicky, Farmington Hills
Jennifer R. Turchyn, Troy
2 Vacancies
7TH CIRCUIT – GENESEE COUNTY
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Sean M. Siebigteroth, Grand Blanc
9TH CIRCUIT – KALAMAZOO COUNTY
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Paul J. Yancho, Kalamazoo
12TH CIRCUIT – BARAGA, HOUGHTON, AND KEWEENAW COUNTIES
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Matthew C. Eliason, Hancock
13TH CIRCUIT – ANTRIM, GRAND TRAVERSE, AND LEELANAU COUNTIES
Elect 3 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
John R. Blakeslee, Traverse City
Agnieszka Jury, Traverse City
James L. Rossiter, Bellaire
16TH CIRCUIT – MACOMB COUNTY
Elect 3 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
*Randall Chioini, Mount Clemens
Tanya A. Grillo, Mount Clemens
Stephen M. Steinhardt, Mount Clemens
17TH CIRCUIT – KENT COUNTY
Elect 3 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Elect 1 for a two-year term expiring at the close of the September 2024 Representative Assembly meeting.
Michael D. Adams, Grand Rapids
*Michael P. Hanrahan, Grand Rapids
Philip L. Strom, Grand Rapids
1 Vacancy
18TH CIRCUIT – BAY COUNTY
Elect 2 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Amber L. Davis-Johnson, Bay City
Marcus R. Garske, Bay City
19TH CIRCUIT – BENZIE AND MANISTEE COUNTIES
Elect 1 for a one-year term expiring at the close of the September 2023 Representative Assembly meeting.
1 Vacancy
20TH CIRCUIT – OTTAWA COUNTY
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Christopher M. Wirth, Zeeland
21ST CIRCUIT – ISABELLA COUNTY
Elect 1 for a one-year term expiring at the close of the September 2023 Representative Assembly meeting.
1 Vacancy
22ND CIRCUIT – WASHTENAW COUNTY
Elect 2 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Elizabeth C. Jolliffe, Ann Arbor
Marla A. Linderman Richelew, Ann Arbor
24TH CIRCUIT – SANILAC COUNTY
Elect 1 for a one-year term expiring at the close of the September 2023 Representative Assembly meeting.
1 Vacancy
25TH CIRCUIT – MARQUETTE COUNTY
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
*Erica N. Payne, Republic
26TH CIRCUIT – ALPENA AND MONTMORENCY COUNTIES
Elect 1 for a one-year term expiring at the close of the September 2023 Representative Assembly meeting.
1 Vacancy
27TH CIRCUIT – NEWAYGO AND OCEANA COUNTIES
Elect 1 for a one-year term expiring at the close of the September 2023 Representative Assembly meeting.
1 Vacancy
28TH CIRCUIT – MISSAUKEE AND WEXFORD COUNTIES
Elect 1 for a one-year term expiring at the close of the September 2023 Representative Assembly meeting.
1 Vacancy
29TH CIRCUIT – CLINTON AND GRATIOT COUNTIES
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Sarah E. Huyser, Ithaca
30TH CIRCUIT – INGHAM COUNTY
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Elect 1 for a one-year term expiring at the close of the September 2023 Representative Assembly meeting.
Stephen J. Gobbo, Lansing
1 Vacancy
31ST CIRCUIT – ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Elect 2 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Hilary B. Georgia, Port Huron
1 Vacancy
(Gerrow D. Mason is an incumbent, but as vice chair, he becomes chair for 2022–2023. Under the applicable rules, his tenure is extended without election so he can serve as chair. The authorized number of circuit members is increased by one. The seat allocated to Circuit 31 is filled by election.)
36TH CIRCUIT – VAN BUREN COUNTY
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
1 Vacancy
37TH CIRCUIT – CALHOUN COUNTY
Elect 2 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Angela Easterday, Battle Creek
James L. Jordan, Battle Creek
38TH CIRCUIT – MONROE COUNTY
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Elect 1 for a two-year term expiring at the close of the September 2024 Representative Assembly meeting.
Anne M. McCarthy, Monroe
1 Vacancy
39TH CIRCUIT – LENAWEE COUNTY
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
*Jennifer A. Frost, Adrian
40TH CIRCUIT – LAPEER COUNTY
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Bernard A. Jocuns, Lapeer
41ST CIRCUIT – DICKINSON, IRON, AND MENOMINEE COUNTIES
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Christopher S. Ninomiya, Iron Mountain
42ND CIRCUIT – MIDLAND COUNTY
Elect 2 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
*Angela M. Cole, Midland
Christopher G. Komara, Midland
43RD CIRCUIT – CASS COUNTY
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Kelley James-Jura, Cassopolis
44TH CIRCUIT – LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
David T. Bittner, Howell
46TH CIRCUIT – CRAWFORD, KALKASKA, AND OTSEGO COUNTIES
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Courtney E. Cadotte, Gaylord
48TH CIRCUIT – ALLEGAN COUNTY
Elect 1 for a one-year term expiring at the close of the September 2023 Representative Assembly meeting.
1 Vacancy
49TH CIRCUIT – MECOSTA AND OSCEOLA COUNTIES
Elect 1 for a one-year term expiring at the close of the September 2023 Representative Assembly meeting.
1 Vacancy
50TH CIRCUIT – CHIPPEWA COUNTY
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Jason N. Rozencweig, Sault Sainte Marie
51ST CIRCUIT – LAKE AND MASON COUNTIES
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Tracie L. McCarn-Dinehart, Ludington
56TH CIRCUIT – EATON COUNTY
Elect 2 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
Timothy H. Havis, Charlotte
Adam H. Strong, Charlotte
57TH CIRCUIT – EMMET COUNTY
Elect 1 for a three-year term expiring at the close of the September 2025 Representative Assembly meeting.
*Christina L. DeMoore, Petoskey
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Active members in certain commissioner election districts will elect members of the Board of Commissioners for their districts as follows: The terms of the following commissioners of the State Bar will expire at the close of the September 2022 meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the State Bar.
The seats are to be filled by election in 2022 for terms of three years, commencing at the close of the September 2022 meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Following are the districts in which elections are to be held, the number of seats to be filled, and the names of the incumbents.
DISTRICT A – JUDICIAL CIRCUITS 11, 12, 13, 19, 23, 25, 26, 28, 32, 33, 34, 41, 46, 47, 50, 51, 53, AND 57
One seat – one incumbent
Suzanne C. Larsen, Marquette
DISTRICT C – JUDICIAL CIRCUITS 14, 17, 20, 21, 27, 49, AND 55
Two seats – One incumbent and one vacancy
Thomas G. Sinas, Grand Rapids
DISTRICT F – JUDICIAL CIRCUITS 1, 2, 5, 9, 15, 36, 37, 43, 45, AND 48
One seat – one vacancy
DISTRICT H – JUDICIAL CIRCUITS 3, 38, AND 39
One seat – one incumbent
Erika L. Bryant, Detroit
DISTRICT I – JUDICIAL CIRCUIT 6
Two seats – two incumbents
Sarah E. Kuchon, Troy
James W. Low, Southfield
Commissioners are nominated from among the active members of the State Bar having their principal offices within the commissioner election district. Any active member may circulate petitions for a candidate for district commissioner in his or her district. Five valid signatures of members entitled to vote in that district are required to nominate.
No member may sign nominating petitions for more district commissioner candidates than there are seats to be filled in the district. All signatures in violation of this rule will be deemed invalid. It is suggested to persons circulating petitions that at least seven signatures be obtained to ensure that at least five valid signatures remain should any be ruled invalid or found illegible and therefore unverifiable.
YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION
The members of the Young Lawyers Section will elect members of the executive council for their districts as follows: The terms of 10 executive council members expire at the close of the September 2022 Young Lawyers Section meeting. These seats are to be filled by election in June 2022 for terms of two years. Following are the districts in which elections are to be held, the number of seats to be filled, and the names of the incumbents.
DISTRICT 1 – MACOMB AND WAYNE COUNTIES
One seat – one vacancy
DISTRICT 2 – OAKLAND COUNTY
Four seats – three vacancies and one incumbent
Fawzeih H. Daher, Southfield
DISTRICT 3 – ALL MICHIGAN COUNTIES EXCEPT MACOMB, OAKLAND, AND WAYNE
Five seats – two vacancies, three incumbents
Dustin C. Kamerman, Lansing
Miriam Saffo, Ann Arbor
Alexander J. Thibodeau, Grand Rapids
Executive council members shall be elected from the active membership of the Young Lawyers Section in the three districts by the active members having their address of record on file with the State Bar therein. Any active member may circulate petitions for a candidate for council member in their district. Five valid signatures of members entitled to vote for the nominee are required to nominate.
No member may sign nominating petitions for more executive council candidates than there are seats to be filled in the district. No member may sign nominating petitions for candidates outside of their district. All signatures in violation of these rules will be deemed invalid. It is suggested to persons circulating petitions that at least seven signatures be obtained to ensure that at least five valid signatures remain should any be ruled invalid or found illegible and therefore unverifiable.