Governor Whitmer appoints Carter, Khogali, Simmington to MIDC
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission on August 29, 2024:
- Loren Khogali, of Plymouth, is the executive director of ACLU Michigan. She started her legal career as a Law Clerk to the Justices of the Superior Court of Massachusetts. She then joined Detroit’s Federal Public Defender Office, advocating on behalf of people charged with federal crimes and unable to afford an attorney at the trial in the appellate and post-conviction stages. During her 13 years at the Federal Defender Office, she participated in the development and leadership teams for the court’s re-entry and alternative-to-prison programs. She received her Bachelor of Science in psychology and Bachelor of Arts in French from Western Michigan University and her Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law. Loren Khogali is appointed to represent individuals nominated by Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan for a term commencing August 29, 2024, and expiring April 1, 2028. Khogali succeeds William Swor, whose term has expired.
- Michael Carter, of Southfield, is the Chief Defender and Executive Director of the Federal Community Defender Office of the Eastern District of Michigan (FCDO). Michael has practiced indigent criminal defense for over fifteen years. He serves on several boards including the ACLU of Michigan and Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, and also serves on the faculty of the National Criminal Defense College. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan and his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School. Michael E. Carter is appointed to represent individuals nominated by Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan for a term commencing August 29, 2024, and expiring April 1, 2028. Carter succeeds John Shea, whose term has expired.
- Glenn Simmington, of Flint, is an owner and attorney at the Law Office of Glenn M. Simmington, PLLC. He has previously been an associate attorney with Cline, Cline & Griffin, P.C. He has earned his Juris Doctorate Degree from Wayne State University and Bachelor of Art in political science from University of Michigan-Flint. Glenn Simmington is appointed to represent individuals nominated by Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan for a term commencing August 29, 2024, and expiring April 1, 2028. Simmington succeeds Joshua Blanchard, whose term has expired.
The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission was created as a result of efforts to improve legal representation for indigent criminal defendants. The Commission develops and oversees the implementation, enforcement, and modification of minimum standards, rules, and procedures to ensure that indigent criminal defense services providing effective assistance of counsel are delivered to all indigent adults in this state consistent with the safeguards of the United States Constitution, the State Constitution of 1963, and with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Read the full press release here.