June 19, 2015
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the reappointments of Kyle Dufrane, of Macomb, Robert Gardella, of Brighton, and Brad Smith, of Addison, to the Military Appeals Tribunal.
Housed within the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Military Appeals Tribunal has appellate jurisdiction to hear and review the records of all court-martial decisions upon petition of an accused military member.
"I am confident that these appointees will be fair and effective members of the tribunal," Snyder said.
Dufrane is an attorney with Dykema, where his practice focuses on litigating consumer financial services disputes for national financial institutions, pharmaceutical and medical device defense, automotive product liability defense, toxic tort, complex commercial litigation, and insurance litigation. Dufrane earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from the University of Detroit.
Gardella is attorney at law for Robert C. Gardella, PLLC and has been in private practice for more than 20 years. He has experience as a member of the Genoa Township Compensation Commission, the Brighton Community Education Advisory Council, and as a hearing panel member of the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board. Gardella earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Smith is a founding member of Endurance Law Group PLC, an intellectual property law firm. He is the owner of Maple Drive Farms and has experience with Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, Dykema Fossett PLLC, and the Michigan Export Development Authority. Smith earned both a bachelor’s degree in agricultural & biological engineering and a master’s degree in business administration from Cornell University and a law degree from the University of Michigan.
Members serve four-year terms expiring April 16, 2019. Their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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