Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 1, 2024

Contact: [email protected]

Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench

LANSING, Mich. -Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointment of Randy Wallace to the Michigan Court of Appeals, Second District and Kirsten Holzto the 63rd District Court in Kent County, effective August 12, 2024.

"Today, I am proud to appoint two skilled legal professionals to the bench," said Governor Whitmer. "Randy and Kirsten will each bring a wide variety of experience to their new positions on the Court of Appeals and the District Court, respectively. I am confident that they will both uphold the rule of law and serve their fellow Michiganders with distinction."

Court of Appeals - Second District

Randy Wallace currently works as an attorney and shareholder at Olsman, MacKenzie, Peacock & Wallace, P.C. in Berkley, where he has worked since 1998. Wallace has served as an Executive Board Member of the Michigan Association for Justice since 2004 and is also a member of the American Association for Justice. He serves as a member of the Michigan Supreme Court's Committee on Model Jury Instructions and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan Civil Procedure & Courts Committee, of which he previously served as chair. Wallace also serves as a Case Evaluator at the Oakland County Circuit Court ADR Office.

Randy Wallace received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan, and his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School, where he also worked as a student attorney at the Free Legal Aid Clinic.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Governor Whitmer for giving me the opportunity to serve the people of the great state of Michigan on the Court of Appeals," said Randy Wallace. "I have spent years watching some of the finest jurists in our state decide cases in a manner that promotes equal access to justice for all, including now retired Michigan Supreme Court justices like Justice Bridget McCormack and Justice Marilyn Kelly, and now retired judges like Judge Elizabeth Gleicher and Judge Douglas Shapiro, just to name a few. One of my first jury trials was presided over by Judge Deborah Servitto, who was then a judge on the Macomb County Circuit Court, and who treated all the participants with the utmost respect. I will do my very best to follow the examples set by those esteemed members of the bench and I will work hard as a humble servant of the people of the State of Michigan."

This appointment was made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Deborah Servitto. Judge Wallace's term will commence on August 12, 2024, and expire at twelve o'clock noon on January 1, 2025.

63rd District Court - Kent County

Kirsten Holz currently works as an assistant corporate counsel in support of the Indigent Defense Program for Kent County. Previously, she worked as an associate attorney at Levine & Levine in Kalamazoo. Holz also served as both an assistant public defender and as district court chief attorney at the Kent County Office of the Defender. Additionally, she served as an assistant public defender in the Office of the Public Defender at the 9th Judicial Circuit in Orlando, Florida.

Kirsten Holz is a Board Member of the Progressive Women's Alliance, the Legal Assistance Center, and the East Grand Rapids Community Foundation. She is also a member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, the Women Lawyer's Association of Michigan, the Michigan Association for Justice, and the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan. Holz has volunteered legal services at both the Crossroads Bible Church Unhoused Outreach Center and Clean Slate expungement clinics in Kent County.

Kirsten Holz received a Bachelor of Arts in Government and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language from Cornell University, and her Juris Doctorate from the Washington College of Law at American University.

"I am immensely honored to accept this opportunity to serve the people of Kent County," said Kirsten Holz. "Building upon the distinguished service of Judge Smolenski, I pledge to administer justice with respect, compassion, and uncompromising integrity, ensuring equitable treatment for all. Thank you, Governor Whitmer, for this extraordinary privilege."

This appointment was made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Sara Smolenski, who has resigned. Judge Holz's term will commence on August 12, 2024, and expire at twelve o'clock noon on January 1, 2027.

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