Whitmer appoints Noah Hood to Michigan Supreme Court

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced four judicial appointments Wednesday, including that of Judge Noah Hood to the Michigan Supreme Court.

“A proud Detroiter, graduate of Harvard Law, and active member of the legal community with both trial and appellate court experience, he will bring important perspectives to the highest court in our state. I want to thank him for his many years of public service and look forward to many more on the Supreme Court,” Whitmer said in a press release.

Hood, who currently serves on the Michigan Court of Appeals, First District, will take the seat left vacant after  the resignation of former Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement. Clement is now president of the Virginia-based National Center for State Courts, a nonprofit that provides assistance and resources to courts both nationally and around the world. She was replaced as chief justice by Megan Cavanagh.

Whitmer first appointed Hood to the bench in 2019 at the Third Circuit Court and then again to the Court of Appeals in 2022. Hood also served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Michigan.

“I have had the distinct honor of serving the people of the state of Michigan for the past six years,” said Hood in a statement released by Whitmer’s office.  “I am deeply grateful to our Governor for her decision to appoint me to serve on our Supreme Court. I am also grateful for what it represents. For as long as I serve, the people will always be able to count on me for even-handed justice.” 

Although state Supreme Court candidates appear on the nonpartisan section of the ballot, state parties nominate candidates to run for the position. 

Clement was appointed by former Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican, in November 2017 and ran for a full eight-year term after being nominated by Republicans in 2018. 

Her departure, and Hood’s appointment by Whitmer, a Democrat, shifts the court from a 5-2 Democratic-nominated majority to a 6-1 majority, with Justice Brian Zahra as the lone Republican-nominated jurist on the court. His term runs through 2030, at which point he will be 70 and ineligible to run again.

Whitmer also announced the appointment of Judge Mariam Bazzi to succeed Hood on the Michigan Court of Appeals, First District; Christopher Trebilcock to the Michigan Court of Appeals, Second District; and Daniel Korobkin to the Michigan Court of Appeals, Third District. 

“These Michiganders all bring years of legal experience to their roles, and I am confident they will uphold the rule of law and serve the people admirably,” Whitmer said.