Oakland County Judge to Fill Appeals Court Vacancy

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Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Colleen O’Brien was picked Tuesday to fill a vacancy on the Michigan Court of Appeals.

O’Brien will fill a vacancy created with the resignation of Judge Pat Donofrio, and will have to stand for re-election next year to a full six-year term on the court.

“Colleen has served with distinction in one of the state’s largest trial courts for 16 years handling complex civil, criminal, and family law cases,” Gov. Rick Snyder said in a statement announcing the appointment, according to The Detroit News.

“As the president of the Michigan Judges Association, she is an important leader in our state’s judiciary,” Snyder said. “Her personal integrity, widely respected legal acumen, and substantial judicial experience will be of great benefit to the Court of Appeals and the people of Michigan.”

O’Brien was an unsuccessful Republican Party-nominated candidate for the Michigan Supreme Court in 2012. Formerly an attorney in private practice, she has served as an Oakland County judge since 1998, and is the presiding judge of the Oakland Civil-Criminal Division.