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Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 22, 2021 

Contact: press@michigan.gov  

  

Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench 

  

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments of Kwame L. Rowe to the 6th Circuit Court of Oakland County and Molly E. Hennessey Greenwalt to the 54B District Court of the City of East Lansing.   

 

"Today, I am proud to appoint two legal experts to the bench who will serve our state admirably," said Governor Whitmer. "Both Kwame and Molly have a depth of experience and skills, and I am grateful to both of them for bringing their perspectives to serve the people of Michigan." 

 

6th Circuit Court of Oakland County 

 

Kwame L. Rowe currently serves as an assistant prosecutor for Oakland County. In his current role, Rowe is a special assistant prosecuting attorney with the Trafficking Unit working on felony cases involving human trafficking, complex narcotics, and homicide. He previously served as a clerk under Judge Leo Bowman of the 6th Circuit Court.  

 

Rowe earned his Juris Doctor degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University's James Madison College. He is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association, Straker Bar Association, and Wolverine Bar Association, and he serves as a volunteer at Pontiac High School. Kwame lives in Pontiac with his wife, Gabriel, and children. 

 

"This appointment means a lot to me because it shows our people of Oakland County that no matter where you're from, how much money you make, or what obstacles you face, anyone can achieve their dreams," said Rowe. "Serving the people of Oakland County means to serve the community that made me the man I am today." 

 

This appointment was made to fill a partial term, which expires at twelve o'clock noon on January 1, 2023, after Judge Leo Bowman stepped down effective April 30, 2021. If Mr. Rowe wishes to serve the remainder of Judge Bowman's term, expiring January 1, 2025, he would be required to run for reelection in November of 2022. 

 

54B District Court of the City of East Lansing 

 

Molly E. Hennessey Greenwalt currently serves as a commissioner with the Michigan Supreme Court. In her current role, she researches legal issues, writes reports, and provides recommendations to the Justices on a wide variety of civil, criminal, and family law matters. Hennessey Greenwalt previously worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Ingham County and as a law clerk with the Michigan Supreme Court and the Abood Law Firm.  

 

Hennessey Greenwalt earned her law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Boston College and a Master of Arts in English from the University of Wisconsin. She is the assistant reporter for the Michigan Criminal Jury Instruction Committee and a legal assistant for the Michigan Supreme Court Judicial Tenure Commission Workgroup and the Task Force on Open Courts, Media, and Privacy. Molly lives in East Lansing with her husband, Kyle, and their three children, Gus, Teddy, and Mary Rose.  

 

"This is an exciting time to be a judge," said Hennessey Greenwalt. "I'm honored by the Governor's trust and I look forward to serving the people of East Lansing." 

 

This appointment was made to fill a partial term, which expires at twelve o'clock noon on January 1, 2023, after Judge Andrea Andrews Larkin stepped down effective June 1, 2021. If Ms. Hennessey Greenwalt wishes to serve the remainder of Judge Andrews Larkin's term, expiring January 1, 2025, she would be required to run for reelection in November of 2022. 

 

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