Gov. appoints four judges to Third Circuit Court bench

Last Thursday, Gov. Rick Snyder announced four judicial appointments to the Third Circuit Court in Wayne County. The appointees are Thomas Cameron of Northville Township, Alexis Glendening of Grosse Pointe Farms, Catherine Heise of Plymouth, and Edward Joseph of Grosse Pointe Park. "These individuals have decades of professional legal experience between them. I am confident they will serve our state's residents in good faith," said Snyder. "I thank them each for their willingness to serve." Cameron is the Criminal Justice Bureau chief for the Michigan Department of Attorney General where he supervises several large divisions. He has been with the department since 2003, previously serving as an assistant attorney general and Criminal Division chief. Cameron began his law career at the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office after earning a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. He also holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Western Michigan University. He fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Amy Hathaway. Glendening brings more than a decade of combined appellate, juvenile and probate court experience to the Third Circuit bench, specializing in cases regarding guardianship and adoption matters. She is a former Court-Appointed Special Advocates board member where she served as president of the Wayne County fundraising branch. Glendening is also a board member of the Juvenile Court Trial Lawyers Association. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and a law degree from Detroit College of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Jeanne Stempien. Heise is an attorney for Amerisure Insurance Co. and oversees litigation in state and federal trial courts in numerous states. Prior to joining Amerisure, she was a partner at Van Belkum & Felty/Catherine L. Heise P.C. She is a member of the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. Heise earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Wayne State University and a law degree from Detroit College of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Linda Parker. Joseph has been an attorney in private practice since 1991 where he focuses on civil, probate, juvenile and criminal litigation. He is also currently serving as a special assistant attorney general. Joseph previously served as secretary and general consul at Mercom, Inc. in Bloomfield Hills. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Joseph fills the vacancy created by the removal of Judge Wade McCree. All four appointees must seek election in November 2014 to serve full or remaining terms. Published: Mon, Apr 14, 2014