APPELLATE DEFENDER COMMISSION

SUITE 3300 PENOBSCOT · 645 GRISWOLD · DETROIT, MICHIGAN  48226 · 313/256-9833 · FAX 313/965-0372





The Michigan Appellate Defender Commission is responsible to provide a high-quality, efficient and effective, mixed indigent appellate defense system composed of a state-funded public defender office (State Appellate Defender Office) and a county-funded, assigned counsel panel (Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System).




History of the Commission
Appellate Defender Act
MAACS Standards and Regulations
Meeting Dates
Minutes
Annual Reports

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Appellate Defender Commission


Commissioners

Honorable Robert A. Benson
Chair

Michigan Judges Association Designee
Appointed: January 4, 2002
Term Expires:


Ernest J. Essad, Jr.
Commissioner

Supreme Court Designee
Appointed: July 29, 2003
Term Expires: May 24, 2011

Mr. Essad is an attorney with Williams Williams Ruby & Plunkett PC.


Judith Gracey
Commissioner


Appointed:
Appointed: August 8, 2007
Term Expires: May 24, 2011


Donald E. Martin
Commissioner

Supreme Court Designee
Appointed: July 29, 2003
Term Expires: May 24, 2011

Mr. Martin an attorney with Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, PC.


Douglas J. Messing
Commissioner

Michigan Court of Appeals Designee
Appointed: June 20, 2006
Term Expires: May 24, 2010

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Mr. Messing is a senior research supervisor for the Michigan Court of Appeals.


John Nussbaumer
Commissioner

State Bar Designee
Appointed: August 8, 2007
Term Expires: May 24, 2011

Mr. Nussbaumer is a professor at Cooley Law School.



Commissioner

Governor’s Designee
Appointed:
Term Expires:

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