Grand Rapids Reporter

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced three judicial appointments, filling positions that have become open as judges shifted to other courts.

She named David M. Cohen to the 6th Circuit Court of Oakland County, Kenneth S. Hoopes to the 14th Circuit Court of Muskegon County, and Jennifer L. Whitten to the Grand Traverse County Probate Court, the governor said in a news release. 

"These  three new appointees will bring extensive legal experience to the bench in Southeast, Western and Northern Michigan," Whitmer said in a statement. "I appreciate David, Kenneth and Jennifer for stepping up to serve their fellow Michiganders, and I am confident that they will  faithfully uphold state law."

Cohen is currently an administrative law manager of the  Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules' Detroit offices. He supervises 21 administrative law judges in the  areas of unemployment and Michigan Employment Relations Commission. His appointment fills a vacancy left by the appointment of Judge Shalina D. Kumar to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan late last year.

 Cohen was previously an  administrative law judge in the field of general adjudication and an attorney at The Samuel Bernstein Law Firm, where he practiced in personal injury,  ADA disability rights and administrative legal matters. He also worked as a personal injury attorney at the firm of Rothstein, Erlich & Rothstein.

Hoopes is an an attorney with Ladas &  Hoopes Law Offices, PLC, specializing in plaintiff personal injury, probate and estate planning, and Social Security disability. He has also worked in criminal defense and family law, including divorce and custody cases. He previously served as a contract attorney with the Muskegon County Public Defender's Office.  

He will replace Judge Timothy G. Hicks who stepped down effective Jan. 1.

Whitten is a partner with Alward, Fisher, Rice, Rowe & Graf, PLC, where she specializes in family and probate court matters and estate planning.  She previously served as a contract attorney for the Grand Traverse County Probate Court representing juveniles in juvenile delinquency matters,  parents in abuse and neglect cases, and other individuals in in  guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. She has also served as an  assistant prosecutor for Ingham County.

She will replace Melanie D. Stanton, who stepped from the judgeship Dec. 31.