On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments of Robbie Gaines, Jr., Robyn Liddell, and Rula Aoun to the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County.
“I am proud to appoint Robbie, Robyn, and Rula to the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County,” said?Governor Whitmer. “They are skilled legal professionals who bring years of experience and dedication to their communities. I am confident that they will?serve the people of Michigan admirably and uphold the rule of law.”
Gaines, of Grosse Pointe, is a founding member of Gaines Law Firm, PLC. Gaines is a former law clerk to outgoing Judge Leslie Kim Smith of the Third Circuit Court in Wayne County. Gaines serves on the Board of Directors for the Detroit Bar Association and as a Commissioner for the State Bar of Michigan. Gaines is also the past president of the Wolverine Bar Association and a member of the Michigan Association of Justice and the Augustus Straker Bar Association.
Gaines holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Wayne State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
“I am deeply grateful to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for this appointment,” said Gaines. “This is not just an honor – it is a responsibility. I am humbled by the opportunity to serve the people of Wayne County and to contribute to a justice system grounded in integrity and fairness. I will approach this role with the seriousness, dedication, and respect it deserves. I am ready to get to work and give my full measure of service to the court and the community it serves.”
This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Leslie Kim Smith. Judge Gaines’s term will commence on September 14, 2026, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2029.
Liddell, of Westland, is the chief of the Criminal Trials Division at the Michigan Department of Attorney General. Liddell has served at the Michigan Department of Attorney General since 2014. Liddell is the past president of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and was the recipient of the 2025 Lawyer’s Weekly Outstanding Woman of the Year award.
Liddell holds a Bachelor of Arts in African-American studies from Oberlin College and a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law.
“I am deeply honored and humbled for this appointment,” said Liddell. “Serving the people of my community has always been a privilege. I am grateful to Gov. Whitmer for the confidence placed in me. I will remain committed to fairness and integrity, and equal justice under the law.”
This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the upcoming resignation of Judge Kevin Cox. Judge Liddell’s term will commence on October 5, 2026, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2029.
“I am proud to appoint Robbie, Robyn, and Rula to the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County,” said?Governor Whitmer. “They are skilled legal professionals who bring years of experience and dedication to their communities. I am confident that they will?serve the people of Michigan admirably and uphold the rule of law.”
Gaines, of Grosse Pointe, is a founding member of Gaines Law Firm, PLC. Gaines is a former law clerk to outgoing Judge Leslie Kim Smith of the Third Circuit Court in Wayne County. Gaines serves on the Board of Directors for the Detroit Bar Association and as a Commissioner for the State Bar of Michigan. Gaines is also the past president of the Wolverine Bar Association and a member of the Michigan Association of Justice and the Augustus Straker Bar Association.
Gaines holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Wayne State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
“I am deeply grateful to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for this appointment,” said Gaines. “This is not just an honor – it is a responsibility. I am humbled by the opportunity to serve the people of Wayne County and to contribute to a justice system grounded in integrity and fairness. I will approach this role with the seriousness, dedication, and respect it deserves. I am ready to get to work and give my full measure of service to the court and the community it serves.”
This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Leslie Kim Smith. Judge Gaines’s term will commence on September 14, 2026, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2029.
Liddell, of Westland, is the chief of the Criminal Trials Division at the Michigan Department of Attorney General. Liddell has served at the Michigan Department of Attorney General since 2014. Liddell is the past president of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and was the recipient of the 2025 Lawyer’s Weekly Outstanding Woman of the Year award.
Liddell holds a Bachelor of Arts in African-American studies from Oberlin College and a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law.
“I am deeply honored and humbled for this appointment,” said Liddell. “Serving the people of my community has always been a privilege. I am grateful to Gov. Whitmer for the confidence placed in me. I will remain committed to fairness and integrity, and equal justice under the law.”
This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the upcoming resignation of Judge Kevin Cox. Judge Liddell’s term will commence on October 5, 2026, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2029.
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