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Gov. Rick Snyder appoints Jarbou, Matis to 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

LANSING, Mich.  – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Jeffery “Jeff” Matis and Hala Jarbou to the 6th Circuit Court, Oakland County.

“Jeff and Hala have both demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public service in Oakland County,” Snyder said. “They are both widely respected as hard working, highly skilled attorneys and I am confident that they will serve the 6th Circuit Court well.”

Jarbou is currently with the U.S. Department of Justice as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Drug Task Force Unit and previously served in the General Crimes Unit. Before that she served in the Oakland County Prosecutor’s office, working primarily in the Circuit Court Division. Jarbou is an instructor at the National Advocacy Center and earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan and her law degree from Wayne State University Law School.

Matis has been with the law firm of Garan Lucow Miller, PC. of Troy since 2012 with a primary practice of civil defense in both the state and federal courts throughout Michigan.  He also serves as an adjunct professor at the Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley Law School. Matis currently serves as the vice chairman of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners and was a Rochester city councilman from 2007 to 2010.  He has been involved with many community and service organizations, including the Rochester Area Youth Assistance, the Rochester Older Persons Commission, and the Paint Creek Trailways Commission. Matis earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Oakland University and a law degree from the University of Detroit.

Jarbou fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Colleen O’Brien, who was appointed by the governor to serve on the Michigan Court of Appeals. She must seek election in November 2016 for a full term. Matis fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Rudy Nichols. He must seek election in November 2016 for the remainder of the term expiring in 2020. 

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