April 10, 2008

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the appointment of Christopher Yates as judge of the 17th Circuit Court, which serves Kent County, for a term expiring January 1, 2009.  He replaces Judge Dennis Kolenda who has resigned.

Yates, of East Grand Rapids, most recently served as partner with the Yates, LaGrand & Denenfeld law firm and adjunct professor of law at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.  Previously, he was a partner with the Willey, Chamberlain & Yates law firm, a federal public defender with the Federal Public Defenders Office, and an adjunct professor at both the Michigan State University School of Law and Davenport University. 

Yates' civic involvement includes serving as a mentor for the East Grand Rapids High School "We the People" constitutional team and as a member of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters board of directors. 

Yates received his law and master's degrees from the University of Illinois, his bachelor's degree from Kalamazoo College, and graduated from LaLumiere High School in LaPorte, Indiana.   

This appointment is not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.

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