LANSING —  Gov. Rick Snyder Friday announced the appointment of Kathleen M. Brickley, of South Haven, to the 36th Circuit Court in Van Buren County. The appointment fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge William C. Buhl.
“Kathleen is an accomplished attorney who was a pioneer in the drug treatment court movement in Michigan,” said Snyder. “She has a proud family history of public service and will serve honorably as Van Buren County’s first female judge.”
Brickley is active in her community and professional organizations, including the State Bar of Michigan, Kalamazoo County Bar Association and Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan. She is a former member of the Drug Treatment Court of Kalamazoo Policy Council, Therapeutic Justice Steering Committee in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Probation Enhancement Program and the Community Healing Centers board of directors. Brickley attended the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. She received her law degree from the University of Notre Dame.
Brickley is married to Paul Wahby and they have a daughter, Ella.
Brickley will serve the remainder of Buhl’s term through Jan. 1, 2013, and will run for election in November for a full term.