Judge named president of Michigan Board of Law Examiners

The Michigan Supreme Court announced Thursday that Court of Appeals Judge Christopher M. Murray has been named president of the Michigan Board of Law Examiners. Murray succeeds Gerald Marcinkoski, who recently retired after a decade of service on the board. "Judge Murray is dedicated to serving and protecting the public," said Justice Brian Zahra of the Michigan Supreme Court. "With his experience in private practice, in the executive branch, and in the judiciary, he is ideally prepared to lead the Board and to make sure that lawyers admitted to the bar in Michigan have the skills and knowledge needed to represent their clients." The Michigan Board of Law Examiners is responsible for administering examinations to applicants to the state bar in order to ensure competence in the legal profession. Members of the board are nominated by the Michigan Supreme Court and appointed by the governor. As president of the Board of Law Examiners, Murray's duties will include leading board meetings and acting as the presiding officer at the Board of Law Examiners Character and Fitness Hearings. Murray has served on the Michigan Court of Appeals since 2002 and is currently chief judge pro tem. He previously served as a Wayne County Circuit judge, as deputy legal counsel for Gov. John Engler, and as an attorney in private practice. Murray is a member of numerous organizations, including the State Bar of Michigan; the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association; the Catholic Lawyers Society; and the Michigan Chapter of the Federalist Society, for which he serves as chair of the board of advisors. A graduate of Hillsdale College, Murray received his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. "The Supreme Court is grateful to Gerry Marcinkoski for his service," Zahra added. "His dedicated effort has helped to make Michigan a national leader." Published: Fri, Jul 24, 2015