Gov. Granholm appoints Northing Michigan jurist to replace Weaver

By John Minnis Legal News Gov. Jennifer Granholm, apparently fulfilling the wishes of resigning Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Weaver, appointed another northern Michigan native, appellate Judge Alton Thomas Davis, to the state's high court Thursday. Weaver hails from Glen Arbor, near Traverse City. During her resignation speech, Weaver lamented the number of justices who live within the "Detroit-Lansing beltway." She said she was grateful for the opportunity presented by Gov. Granholm in appointing a fellow northern Michigander to replace her. Davis lives in Graying. "I'm pleased to replace a great northern Michigan justice with another great northern Michigan justice," said Granholm. Prior to being appointed to the 4th District Court of Appeals by Granholm in 2005, Davis served as chief judge of the 46th Circuit Court representing Crawford, Kalkaska and Otsego counties. "Justice Davis is the most experienced jurist I have ever appointed to the bench," Granholm said. "He has been universally praised by those who appear before him, by fellow judges, and by people from both political parties. Justice Davis is someone who can bring a sense of collegiality and gravitas to the Michigan Supreme Court as a seasoned, unflappable, no-nonsense steady hand." Davis, 63, is married and has two grown daughters. He is a graduate of North Central Michigan College, Western Michigan University and the Detroit College of Law. After being appointed to the appellate bench in 2005, Davis was elected by voters in 2006 and 2008. Prior to his 2005 appointment, Davis had served intermittently as a visiting judge on the Court of Appeals between 1985 and 1996. Prior to his election to the trial bench, Davis was in private practice for 10 years. During that time, he served for four years as chief assistant prosecuting attorney and then prosecuting attorney in Crawford County. Awards, memberships and civic activities include the State Bar of Michigan, 46th Circuit Bar Association, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, State Bar of Michigan Committee on Criminal Jury Instructions, 46th Circuit Trial Court Demonstration Project, American Judges Association, Sigma Nu Phi Legal Fraternity and the Michigan Judges Association. Judge Davis was once chairman of Crawford County Democratic Party, regional coordinator for Gov. James Blanchard during his first campaign and trustee of the Michigan State Building Authority. The governor's appointment of Justice Davis became effective at noon Thursday. Davis will appear on the Nov. 2 ballot with the title "Justice of the Supreme Court" under his name. Published: Fri, Aug 27, 2010

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