Molly E. Hennessey Greenwalt Appointed by Whitmer to 54B District Court Bench

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced the appointment of Molly E. Hennessey Greenwalt to serve as a judge in 54B District Court in East Lansing, according to a press release from the Governor’s office issued on Thursday, July 22.

“This is an exciting time to be a judge,” the press released quoted Hennessey Greenwalt as saying. “I’m honored by the Governor’s trust and I look forward to serving the people of East Lansing.”

Hennessey Greenwalt serves as a commissioner with the Michigan Supreme Court, a position that requires her to research and make recommendations to the Court’s justices on civil, criminal, and family law matters. Prior to that, she held positions as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Ingham County and as a law clerk with the Michigan Supreme Court and the Abood Law Firm. 

Hennessey Greenwalt, who is an East Lansing resident, earned a law degree at Michigan State University College of Law, a B.A. from Boston College, and an M.A. from the University of Wisconsin. She also served on various committees and work groups, including the Task Force on Open Courts, Media, and Privacy.

Her appointment now fills the vacancy left following the retirement of Andrea Larkin, the first female judge to serve on the District 54B Court. Hennessey Greenwalt will now be the second.

According to the press release, Hennessey Greenwalt’s term will expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2023. Hennessey Greenwalt will have to run for election in the November 2022 election if she wishes to serve the full remainder of Larkin’s term, which was intended to run until Jan. 1, 2025.