We have a full time staff working under the supervision of the Executive Director of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, including Regional Managers working statewide. Our office is in Lansing, Michigan. Information about Commission meeting agendas and prior meeting minutes is available online, and our calendar contains dates for upcoming meetings.
The MIDC has established a form for submitting recommendations or complaints to the Commission. The form is available online as a .pdf document or can be filled out and mailed using Microsoft Word.
Please use the contact us page anytime with questions for the MIDC.
Commissioners
The commission was created as a result of efforts to improve legal representation for indigent criminal defendants. In October 2011, then-Governor Snyder issued Executive Order 2011-12, establishing the initial Indigent Defense Advisory Commission, which was responsible for recommending improvements to the state’s legal system. These recommendations served as the basis for legislation to address this need and called for a permanent Indigent Defense Commission that the governor signed into law in July 2013. Please see the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act for more information.
The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission shall develop and oversee 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. We will identify and encourage best practices for delivering the effective assistance of counsel to indigent defendants charged with crimes. We will collect data, support compliance and administer grants to achieve these goals. We will accomplish our mission through collaboration, transparency and accessibility to all partners in the criminal justice community.
Joshua Blanchard, Greenville
Represents members submitted by the Criminal Defense Attorney Association of Michigan
Term expires April 1, 2024
Josh Blanchard is a partner at Blanchard Law. From their offices in Greenville, Michigan, Josh and his colleagues focus their practice on criminal defense and police misconduct cases. As a GFCE Certified Forensic Computer Examiner and licensed professional investigator, Josh provides consulting and expert witness services to other lawyers. Josh is a graduate of the Trial Lawyers College and is a member of NACDL and CDAM. He has tried jury trials in 24 of Michigan’s 83 counties. He served as a director of CDAM from 2011 through 2020 and is the past-Chair of the Criminal Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
Standing Committee Assignment: Training & Evaluation, Performance Standards
Kimberly Buddin, Novi
Represents those whose primary mission or purpose is to advocate for minority interests
Term expires April 1, 2024
Kimberly Buddin, of Novi, is policy counsel with the ACLU of Michigan and a VAWA/U-Visa Pro-Bono Attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Michigan State University Law School. Ms. Buddin is appointed to represent a Bar Association whose primary mission or purpose is to advocate for minority interests, for a term expiring April 1, 2024.
Standing Committee Assignment: Performance Standards
William Swor, Grosse Pointe Woods
Represents members submitted by the Criminal Defense Attorney Association of Michigan
Term expires April 1, 2024
William Swor, of Grosse Pointe Woods, is an attorney with William W. Swor, and has practiced federal criminal and immigration law for more than 40 years. He is on the board of directors of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan as well as the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services. Swor is a member of the Practitioners Advisory Group to the United States Sentencing Commission. Swor earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Oakland University and a law degree from Wayne State University.
Standing Committee Assignments: Training & Evaluation
John Shea, Ann Arbor
Represents members submitted by the Criminal Defense Attorney Association of Michigan
Term expires April 1, 2024
John Shea, of Ann Arbor, has been in private practice since 1988. He has a trial practice in state and federal courts devoted primarily to criminal defense, but he also represents clients in commercial and real estate litigation, professional malpractice defense, and in proceedings before the Attorney Discipline Board and other disciplinary agencies. Mr. Shea is a graduate of the University of Michigan (BA Economics, 1979) and the University of Michigan Law School (JD, 1982). He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan (Chair, Prisons/Corrections Council 2011-2013); Washtenaw County, Illinois State and American Bar Associations; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (Rules/Laws Committee, Co-Chair 2008-present); Criminal Defense Lawyers of Washtenaw County (President, 1992-1994), and the ACLU of Michigan. He also is a Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers and the Michigan State Bar Foundation.
Standing Committee Assignment: Selection Standards, Indigence & Compensation
Robert J. VerHeulen, Walker
Represents members submitted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives
Term expires April 1, 2025
Robert J. VerHeulen is the former mayor of the city of Walker and state representative for the 74th House District. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan and Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University. Mr. VerHeulen is appointed to represent members submitted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives for a term commencing September 24, 2021 and expiring April 1, 2025. He succeeds Joseph Haveman whose term expired April 1, 2021.
Paul E. Bullock, Evart
Represents members submitted by the Senate Majority Leader
Term expires April 1, 2025
Mr. Bullock is the controller and administrator for Mecosta County. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in American History from Spring Arbor College. Mr. Bullock is appointed to represent members submitted by the Senate Majority Leader for a term commencing October 15, 2021 and expiring April 1, 2025. He succeeds Jeffrey Collins whose term expired April 1, 2021.
Standing Committee Assignment:
Tom McMillin, Oakland Township
Represents members submitted by the Speaker of the House
Term expires April 1, 2025
Tom McMillin is the owner of Michigan Community Auditors PLLC., and served as a Michigan State Representative from 2009 – 2014. He authored the bill that created the MIDC. He serves on the state’s Board of Education, and is a certified public accountant. Mr. McMillin earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.
Standing Committee Assignment: Indigence & Compensation
Debra Kubitskey, South Lyon
Represents members submitted by the Senate Majority Leader
Term expires April 1, 2025
Debra Kubitskey, of South Lyon, is an assistant county administrator for Jackson County. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Central Michigan University and a Master in Public Administration from Eastern Michigan University. Mrs. Kubitskey is appointed to represent members submitted by the Senate Majority Leader for a term commencing July 22, 2021 and expiring April 1, 2025. She succeeds Michael Puerner whose term expired April 1, 2021.
Standing Committee Assignments:
Kristina Robinson Garrett, Detroit
Represents member submitted by the Michigan District Judges Association
Term expires April 1, 2022
Kristina Robinson Garrett, of Detroit, is a judge with the 36th District Court of the City of Detroit. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Standing Committee Assignment: Performance Standards
David W. Jones, Detroit
Represents members submitted by the State Bar of Michigan
Term expires April 1, 2022
David W. Jones, of Detroit, is a partner with Allen Brothers, PLLC. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy.
Standing Committee Assignment: Performance Standards
Jim Fisher, Hastings
Represents members submitted by the Michigan Judges Association
Term expires April 1, 2022
Jim Fisher, of Hastings, served as the original chair of the commission. He is Of Counsel with Dickinson Wright in Grand Rapids where his primary practice areas are arbitration and mediation. He previously served as chief judge of Barry County Circuit Court. He chaired the initial Indigent Defense Advisory Commission and is a director of Hastings City Bank. Fisher earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from General Motors Institute and a law degree from Wayne State University.
Standing Committee Assignment: Indigence & Compensation
Gary Walker, Marquette
Represents members submitted by the prosecuting attorneys association of Michigan
Term expires April 1, 2022
Gary Walker, of Marquette, previously served as the prosecuting attorney for Marquette County for more than 35 years. Mr. Walker served as a longtime member of the Prosecuting Attorneys Board of Directors and was Chair of the Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the National District Attorneys Association. In 2008, Mr. Walker was given the Minister of Justice Award by the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section. Mr. Walker earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from Michigan State University and a law degree from the University of Michigan.
Standing Committee Assignment: Selection Standards, Performance Standards
Tracey Brame, Grand Rapids
Submitted by the Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
Term expires April 1, 2023
Tracey Brame, of Grand Rapids, is the associate dean at Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Grand Rapids and a professor and co-director of the Access to Justice Clinic. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from University of Michigan Law School. Ms. Brame is appointed to represent the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for a term expiring April 1, 2023.
Standing Committee Assignment: Training & Evaluation
Nathaniel "Hakim" L. Crampton, Jackson
Represents the general public
Term expires April 1, 2023
Hakim Nathaniel Crampton is serving a four year term as Commissioner on the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2019, making Crampton the first formerly incarcerated person appointed to a State Commission. Proudly representing the Public’s interest on this Commission, Hakim has spent the last 15 years advocating for juvenile and education justice, mentoring thousands of Michigan students across the State, teaching English Language Arts through an innovative textbook curriculum series of Hip Hop Based Pedagogy called S.L.A.M. Lyrical Education.
Hakim Crampton serves as the Movement & Capacity Building Specialist for JustLeadershipUSA, a national criminal justice leadership development organization focusing on empowering persons with past criminal court involvement to advocate for systems and policy change within the criminal legal system. Hakim Crampton also works collaboratively with community based organizations to improve the quality of life for Jackson’s southside residents experiencing poverty, gun violence and disenfranchisement.
As a community organizer and education advocate, Hakim Crampton has received over two dozen local, state and national awards for his service to schools, communities and organizations.
Standing Committee Assignment: Training & Evaluation
Andrew D. DeLeeuw, Manchester
Represents members submitted by the Michigan Association of Counties
Term expires April 1, 2023
Andrew D. DeLeeuw, of Manchester, is the director of strategic planning for Washtenaw County. He earned his Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Mr. DeLeeuw is appointed to fill a new seat created by Act 443 of 2018, to represent the Michigan Association of Counties for a term expiring April 1, 2023.
Standing Committee Assignment: Training & Evaluation, Indigence & Compensation
Margaret A. McAvoy, Owosso
Represents members submitted by the Michigan Association of Counties
Term expires April 1, 2023
Margaret A. McAvoy, of Owosso, is the county administrator controller for Isabella County and serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! Ms. McAvoy is appointed to fill a new seat created by Act 443 of 2018, to represent the Michigan Association of Counties for a term expiring April 1, 2023.
Standing Committee Assignment: Selection Standards
James R. Krizan, Allen Park
Represents members submitted by the Michigan Municipal League
Term expires April 1, 2023
James R. Krizan, of Allen Park, is the assistant to the city manager for the City of Royal Oak and the former village manager for the Village of Decatur. Mr. Krizan is appointed to fill a new seat created by Act 443 of 2018, to represent the Michigan Municipal League for a term expiring April 1, 2023.
Standing Committee Assignment: Selection Standards
Christine A. Green, Ann Arbor - Chair
Represents the State Budget Office
Term expires April 1, 2023
Christine A. Green, of Ann Arbor, is a trustee with the Scio Township Board of Trustees and a retired attorney with Green & Green, PC. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Ms. Green is appointed to fill a new seat created by PA 214 of 2018, to represent the State Budget Office for a term expiring April 1, 2023.
Standing Committee Assignment: Indigence & Compensation
Cami M. Pendell
Supreme Court Chief Justice Designee, ex officio member
Cami M. Pendell is General Counsel to the Michigan Supreme Court. Ms. Pendell has more than two decades of experience in both legislative and state government affairs and has received awards for
effectively representing her clients. Ms. Pendell also has an extensive and successful track record
working with the judiciary as executive director of the Michigan Judges Association.
