Governor fills judicial vacancies

Gov. Rick Snyder recently announced the appointments of Michael Wagner, Shannon Holmes and Prentis Edwards Jr. to the 36th District Court in Detroit. 

The appointments fill the vacancies created by the resignations of Judges Nancy Farmer and Noceeba Southern and the death of Judge George Chatman.

“I am very impressed by the legal skills, extensive experience and community involvement demonstrated by Michael Wagner, Shannon Holmes and Prentis Edwards Jr.,” Snyder said. “All three are highly successful attorneys and I am confident all three will make excellent judges.”

Wagner has worked in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office since 1992 and has held a variety of positions, including deputy chief prosecutor for the General Trial Division and principal attorney for the office’s Major Drug Unit.

He also served 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve retiring as a colonel, and worked for General Motors Corp. before attending law school.  Wagner is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School.

He will take the seat vacated by Judge George Chatman.

Wagner will stand for election in 2012 to complete the last two years of the judicial term, which expires in 2014. Holmes is currently in private practice. She has worked as chief of staff to Mayor Dave Bing, human resource director for previous Mayor Ken Cockrel, and as an assistant corporation counsel and administrative hearings officer for the city of Detroit.

Holmes is a graduate of Dillard University and the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and is currently working on her doctorate in theology from the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit.

She is also a former Judge Advocate General officer in the Michigan National Guard.

Holmes will take the seat vacated by Judge Noceeba Southern. She will stand for election in 2012 to complete the last two years of the judicial term, which expires in 2014. 

Edwards Jr. is an assistant prosecuting attorney for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office where he has served for several years, most recently in the Community Prosecution Unit. 

He also serves as a community liaison for Sen. Virgil Smith.

Edwards is a graduate of Detroit Renaissance High School, Michigan State University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

He will take the seat vacated by Judge Nancy Farmer.

Edwards will stand for election in 2012 for a full term. 
 

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