Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 , 2019  14May

Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission

LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the following appointments to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission:

Michigan Indigent Defense Commission

Tracey Brame, of Grand Rapids, is the associate dean at Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Grand Rapids and a professor and co-director of the Access to Justice Clinic. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from University of Michigan Law School. Ms. Brame is appointed to succeed Kristina Robinson whose term expired April 1, 2019, to represent the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for a term expiring April 1, 2023.

Kimberly Buddin, of Novi, is policy counsel with the ACLU of Michigan and a VAWA/U-Visa Pro-Bono Attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Michigan State University Law School. Ms. Buddin is appointed to succeed Brandy Robinson whose resigned March 20, 2019, to represent a Bar Association whose primary mission or purpose is to advocate for minority interests, for a term expiring April 1, 2020.

Nathaniel “Hakim” L. Crampton, of Jackson, is the Michigan statewide organizer for JustLeadershipUSA, a case manager for the Community Action Agency with the Jackson Housing Commission, and a youth action Michigan adult ally with the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan. Mr. Crampton is appointed to succeed David Schuringa whose term expired April 1, 2019, to represent the general public for a term expiring April 1, 2023.

Andrew D. DeLeeuw, of Manchester, is an executive assistant to the county administrator of Washtenaw County. He earned his Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Mr. DeLeeuw is appointed to fill a new seat created by Act 443 of 2018, to represent the Michigan Association of Counties for a term expiring April 1, 2023.

James R. Krizan, of Allen Park, is the assistant to the city manager for the City of Royal Oak and the former village manager for the Village of Decatur. Mr. Krizan is appointed to fill a new seat created by Act 443 of 2018, to represent the Michigan Municipal League for a term expiring April 1, 2023.

Christine A. Green, of Ann Arbor, is a trustee with the Scio Township Board of Trustees and a retired attorney with Green & Green, PC. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Ms. Green is appointed to fill a new seat created by PA 214 of 2018, to represent the State Budget Office for a term expiring April 1, 2023.

Margaret A. McAvoy, of Owosso, is the county administrator controller for Isabella County and serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! Ms. McAvoy is appointed to fill a new seat created by Act 443 of 2018, to represent the Michigan Association of Counties for a term expiring April 1, 2023.

The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission was created as a result of efforts to improve legal representation for indigent criminal defendants. The Commission develops and oversees the implementation, enforcement, and modification of minimum standards, rules, and procedures to ensure that indigent criminal defense services providing effective assistance of counsel are delivered to all indigent adults in this state consistent with the safeguards of the United States Constitution, the State Constitution of 1963, and with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act.

These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

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