Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appointed three attorneys to various state boards and commissions. The appointments were announced last week.

James Liggins, of Kalamazoo, was named to the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees. Liggins is senior counsel at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP. Previously, he was a partner at Miller Canfield Paddock and Stone, PLC, and an in-house litigation associate at Consumers Energy. He serves on the executive committee and as vice chair of the board of directors for Bronson Healthcare Group, as a member of the American Hospital Association Committee on Governance, as past chair on the board of directors for the United Way of Southcentral Michigan, board member of The Harold and Grace Upjohn Foundation, as co-chair of the State Bar of Michigan Judicial Qualifications Committee. He also serves on the on the board of directors for the Greanleaf Trust and the State of Michigan Board of Ethics.

Liggins holds a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Michigan and his juris doctor from Michigan State University College of Law. He is appointed for a term commencing January 11, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2024. He succeeds Shani Penn, who has passed away.

Lance Werner, of Rockford, has been appointed to the State Historical Records Advisory Board. Werner is the executive director of the Kent District Library. He holds a master’s degree in library and information science from Wayne State University and a juris doctor from the Michigan State University College of Law. He is reappointed for a term commencing January 11, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027.

The State Historical Records Advisory Board serves as a central advisory body for historical records planning and for National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC)-funded projects in the state. The Board acts as a coordinating body to facilitate cooperation and communication among historical records repositories and information agencies within the state, and as a state-level review body for grant proposals that meet NHPRC grant program guidelines.  

Jamia Davis, of Southfield, has been named to the Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council. Davis is a special counsel for the U.S. Small Business Administration. Over the course of her career, she also has volunteered for the Sparka of Hope Gala Fundraising Committee and the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association. Davis received her bachelor of arts in political science from Michigan State University and her juris doctor from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.
Jamia Davis is reappointed to represent individuals with disabilities for a term commencing January 11, 2024, and expiring on December 31, 2026.

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