Governor Jennifer Granholm has filled two judicial vacancies.
Jennifer Cass Barnes of Bay City has been named to the 74th District Court. Barnes replaces retiring Judge Scott Newcombe.
Barnes is a former legislative director for State Sen. Jim Barcia (D-Bay City), and the former enforcement attorney for Michigan Works!. She was also director for Bay County Friend of the Court and a public defender. Her term expires Jan. 1, 2011.
Granholm has also appointed Thomas K. Byerley of Dimondale to the Eaton County Probate Court.
Byerley’s appointment fills a vacancy created by the death of Judge Michael Skinner earlier this year.
Byerley was the State Bar of Michigan’s director of professional standards before moving to private practice with White, Schneider, Young & Chiodini . He’s a former manager of the Michigan Judicial Institute and has taught at Notre Dame and Southwestern Michigan College. His term expires Jan. 1, 2011.
The Michigan Lawyer 