Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Livingston County’s Chief Judge is stepping down.

A posting on the State Bar of Michigan website lists a judicial vacancy for the 44th Circuit Court in Livingston County. It lists the vacating judge as the Honorable Michael Hatty.

Judge Hatty said after much consideration, he’s decided to resign his seat on the bench, effective at the end of the day on March 17th. In a letter to court personnel, Hatty said it has been an honor and a pleasure to work with everyone for the past 15 years, especially as chief judge of the District and Circuit Courts since 2020. He said they “all truly go above and beyond to provide fair and equal access to justice”. Hatty further said there was no need to say goodbye as he’s confident he’ll continue to see everyone again in the future.


Hatty is ineligible to run for another term as a judge must be less than 70-years-old at the time of election or appointment. Governor Gretchen Whitmer will appoint someone to fill out the remainder of Hatty’s term.

Hatty was appointed to the bench in 2009 by then-Governor Jennifer Granholm. He replaced longtime Judge Stanley Latreille, who resigned. Hatty was elected in 2010 to complete the partial term of his predecessor before being re-elected in 2012 to a full six-year term, and then again in 2018 for another full six-year term.

Before his judgeship, Hatty worked as an attorney in private practice for 29 years. He was formerly an attorney for Deerfield Township, as well as a business law instructor for Cleary College. Hatty earned his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and his bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University.

For those interested in applying; applications must be submitted electronically and received by 5pm on Friday, January 26th to be considered.

Details are available in the provided link.

Judge Hatty's letter to court personnel is attached.