Cavanagh to join Lansing firm

The longest-serving appellate judge in Michigan's history, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Michael F. Cavanagh, recently announced that he will be joining the Lansing-based law firm of Alane & Chartier, P.L.C., following his retirement from the bench at the end of his current term, early next year. Justice Cavanagh will retire from the state's highest court upon the completion of his fourth 8-year term, on January 1, 2015. First elected in 1982, Cavanagh was re-elected in 1990, 1998, and 2006, and served as Chief Justice from 1991-1995. Before joining the state Supreme Court, Cavanagh served as a district court judge and on the Michigan Court of Appeals. In the 1960's, Cavanagh worked on Great Lakes freighters, shoveling coal, in order to pay his tuition at the University of Detroit. A&C partner Mary Chartier said, "Natalie Alane and I - just like everyone in the state's legal community - have the utmost respect for Justice Cavanagh, and we believe his experience and wisdom will be of great benefit to our clients." Partner Natalie Alane added, "We are honored to join forces with Justice Cavanagh, who has a brilliant legal mind and a heart for all people. He will be a great fit for our firm." Alane & Chartier, P.L.C., is a women-owned law firm founded in 2007 by attorneys Natalie Alane and Mary Chartier. A&C offers litigation and advocacy services in the areas of criminal defense, family law, federal litigation, and appellate advocacy. Published: Thu, Dec 11, 2014