Page 10 - The Wayne Dispatch

Governor appoints interim judge to district court

Governor Gretchen Whitmer ap- member of the Families Against Nar- remainder of Mack’s term expiring
pointed Breeda K. O’Leary to the cotics (FAN) Northwest Wayne Chap- January 1, 2025.
29th District Court of the City of ter, a member of the Wayne 100 Club, “The 29th District Court is ex-
Wayne and Brian C. Hartwell to the vice president of Wayne Main Street, cited to have Judge O’Leary as our
43rd District Court of the City of and a member of the Women new Chief Judge,” said Linda Gable,
Hazel Park. Lawyers Association of Michigan. Court Administrator. “With her ex-
“Breeda and Brian are well-re- She holds a Bachelor of Arts from tensive experience in nearly all as-
spected within the legal community Michigan State University’s James pects of district court practice, we
and will be bringing their extensive Madison College and a Juris Doctor anticipate that she will seamlessly
experiences to the bench,” Whitmer degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law transition into her new role.”
said. “I’m confident that they will School. Breeda lives in Wayne with In a statement from retired
both uphold a standard of excellence her husband Jason and their two Wayne Judge Laura Mack, she wrote
while performing their duties for the daughters. “Judge O’Leary has the intelligence,
citizens of Michigan in the 29th and “I am humbled by the opportunity energy and enthusiasm to ably serve
43rd districts.” to serve the citizens in my home- this community; and she is commit-
Breeda K. O’Leary currently town.” O’Leary said. “A district court ted to continuing and expanding the
serves as an attorney with Fausone judge has a unique opportunity to outreach programs I started, includ-
Bohn, LLP. In her practice, she has have a meaningful impact on the ing juvenile jurisdiction, the Regional
served as a city attorney for the City community. As judge of the 29th Dis- Behavioral Treatment Court, the
of Wayne, assistant city attorney for trict Court, I will ensure that all indi- Truancy Diversion Court, the Teen
the City of Westland, and as a prose- viduals are heard and treated with Court at Wayne Memorial High
cutor in the 29th and 18th District respect.” School, and the eviction diversion
Courts. O’Leary’s practice also in- This appointment was made to program. I believe the citizens of
cludes civil matters and probate and Judge O’Leary fill a partial term, which expires at Wayne are lucky to have her as their
estate planning. During her time as havioral Mental Health Court Pro- twelve o’clock noon on January 1, district judge; and if the court is con-
an attorney, O’Leary has provided gram and participated in the 18th 2021, after Judge Laura R. Mack solidated at some point, I think
pro-bono assistance to local senior District Court Sobriety Court Pro- stepped down effective March 1, Judge O’Leary will honorably repre-
citizens, participated in training for gram. 2020. O’Leary is running in this up- sent Wayne in the consolidated juris-
the 29th District Court's Regional Be- O’Leary is an advisory board coming election in order to fulfill the diction.”

10 · July 2020 · The Wayne Dispatch