Michigan Governor Rick Snyder announced this
week that Macomb Chief Circuit Judge David Viviano would be appointed to the
Michigan Supreme Court to replace former Justice Diane Hathaway. Mr. Viviano’s
appointment will give the GOP a 5-2 edge on the State’s highest court.
The appointment will take effect today
(Friday) and Mr. Viviano will be on the bench when the Court returns to session
for arguments March 5th.
Mr. Viviano is a graduate of Hillsdale
College and the University of Michigan Law School. He previously practiced with
Dickinson Wright, served as City Attorney for the City of Center Line, and
comes from a family with two other judges, Mr. Viviano’s sister, Kathy, is also
a Macomb Circuit Judge, as was his father Antonio.
Viviano, 41, will have to run to complete Ms.
Hathaway’s term through 2016. Praise for Governor Snyder’s appointment came
quickly and from many directions, from Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette,
to current Chief Justice Robert Young, to Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel.