Great Lakes Wire

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer earlier this month made three Michigan Court of Appeals appointments.

According to a press release issued by the governor’s office, Whitmer on Feb. 3 named Kristina Robinson Garrett and Noah P. Hood to the Michigan Court of Appeals District 1, as well as appointed Sima Patel to the Michigan Court of Appeals District 2.

"Appointing three skilled, highly-qualified Michiganders to the second highest court in our great state is an honor," Whitmer said in the release. "Judge Garrett, Judge Hood, and soon to be Judge Patel each bring an essential perspective and impressive record of experience to the bench. I applaud them for stepping up to serve the public on the Michigan Court of Appeals."

Whitmer elevated Garrett to the state appellate court from the 36th District Court of Detroit, according to the release.

Appointed to the lower court by the governor in 2019, Garrett presides over various specialty courts such as the Street Outreach Court Detroit, Mental Health Treatment Court, Drug Treatment Court, and Veterans Treatment Court in addition to minor traffic cases.

The release added that Garrett worked as general counsel representing the Wayne County Sheriff's Office before her appointment to district court.

"I am truly grateful to Governor Whitmer for this opportunity to further serve the citizens of the State of Michigan," Garrett said in the release. "I will continue to uphold my commitment to listen, learn, and ensure that our state's legal system is fair and accessible in the pursuit of justice."

A former assistant U.S. attorney, Hood is a judge with the 3rd Judicial Circuit of Michigan, where he oversees felony cases and the Veterans Treatment Court, the governor’s office said.

Whitmer appointed him to the court in 2019.

Hood’s résumé includes accolades such as U.S. Treasury Department's FinCEN Director's Law Enforcement Award, a certificate of appreciation from the U.S. Secret Service, and recognition from Michigan Community Legal Resources, according to the release.

"I am grateful for this appointment and the opportunity to continue to serve our community more broadly and with a longer lasting impact," Hood said in the release. "In recent years, we have seen the role that courts serve as both a barometer and a bulwark for fairness, equality, and the rule of law. I hope to safeguard these ideals as long as I serve."

Among the trio of appellate court appointees, Patel is the only one who has never sat on the bench.

According to the release, she’s a senior appellate attorney at Fieger Law, having practiced before the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals, and the Federal 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Patel was a clerk for the state’s highest court and taught at Northwestern Michigan College before joining Fieger Law.

"How the law is interpreted has a profound impact on every Michigander's life and is a weighty responsibility," she said in the release. "I am humbled and honored that Governor Whitmer has entrusted me with this work, and I look forward to serving the people of Michigan."