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Listen "Appointments to Commissions and the Bench"
Episode Synopsis
Host Nicole Smithson speaks with Alexander J. Thibodeau, Director of Appointments in Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive office, about appointments to the bench and state boards and commissions. In this episode, Alex discusses the work of his office and shares valuable insights for people interested in applying for an appointment.
Alexander J. Thibodeau is the Director of Appointments for the Executive Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. In his current role, he oversees the appointment process for the more than 240 boards, councils, and commissions over which the Governor has authority, including judicial and cabinet-level appointments. Before starting in the role, he worked as an attorney in the data privacy, cyber security, and emerging technology practice group at Varnum LLP, and as a commercial litigation attorney at Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC, in Grand Rapids, MI. Thibodeau also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Grand Rapids Bar Association and is the chair of its DEI Committee, as well as leadership roles within the State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section.
Nicole Smithson is currently president-elect of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, creative director of Working Towards Nine, and editor-in-chief of the WLAM Journal. She is also on the editorial board of the Women Lawyers Journal, the journal of the National Association of Women Lawyers. She works for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission. Nicole graduated from Wayne State University Law School and the University of Detroit Mercy.
To learn more about appointments, including current openings, please visit www.michigan.gov/appointments. If you have any questions about a state appointment, please email [email protected].
Learn more about WLAM on our website and on our social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter.
WLAM supporters can sponsor the Working Towards Nine Podcast. Sponsorship includes a 30-second promo, either audio created by the sponsor or ad copy read by the producer and the sponsor’s name cited in the show notes. Check out our website here to learn more and purchase a sponsorship.
WLAM wants the WTN Podcast to be accessible to all who listen. If you would like a free transcript of an episode, please email [email protected].
Alexander J. Thibodeau is the Director of Appointments for the Executive Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. In his current role, he oversees the appointment process for the more than 240 boards, councils, and commissions over which the Governor has authority, including judicial and cabinet-level appointments. Before starting in the role, he worked as an attorney in the data privacy, cyber security, and emerging technology practice group at Varnum LLP, and as a commercial litigation attorney at Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC, in Grand Rapids, MI. Thibodeau also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Grand Rapids Bar Association and is the chair of its DEI Committee, as well as leadership roles within the State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section.
Nicole Smithson is currently president-elect of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, creative director of Working Towards Nine, and editor-in-chief of the WLAM Journal. She is also on the editorial board of the Women Lawyers Journal, the journal of the National Association of Women Lawyers. She works for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission. Nicole graduated from Wayne State University Law School and the University of Detroit Mercy.
To learn more about appointments, including current openings, please visit www.michigan.gov/appointments. If you have any questions about a state appointment, please email [email protected].
Learn more about WLAM on our website and on our social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter.
WLAM supporters can sponsor the Working Towards Nine Podcast. Sponsorship includes a 30-second promo, either audio created by the sponsor or ad copy read by the producer and the sponsor’s name cited in the show notes. Check out our website here to learn more and purchase a sponsorship.
WLAM wants the WTN Podcast to be accessible to all who listen. If you would like a free transcript of an episode, please email [email protected].
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