FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench
LANSING, Mich. —Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments of Tanya Grillo to the 16th Circuit Court in Macomb County and Magistrate Tamara Garwood to the 15th District Court in the City of Ann Arbor.
“Today, I am proud to appoint Tanya and Tamara to the bench,” said Governor Whitmer. “These skilled legal professionals bring years of experience and dedication to their communities to their new roles. I am confident they will serve the people of Michigan admirably and uphold the rule of law.”
16th Circuit Court – Macomb County
Tanya Grillo, of Saint Clair Shores, is managed assigned counsel coordinator at the City of Southfield, an administrative hearing officer at the City of Mount Clemens, and the founding and managing partner at Grillo Law, P.L.L.C. She also previously served as regional manager at the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission for Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair Counties. Grillo is the president of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan’s Executive Board and is a board member of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Association.
Tanya Grillo holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Central Florida and a Juris Doctor from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
“I am deeply honored by Governor Whitmer’s appointment and grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Macomb County and the State of Michigan,” said Grillo. “I take this responsibility seriously and am committed to serving with integrity, fairness, and respect for the rule of law. I will work every day to uphold the trust placed in me and to serve with the dignity this office deserves.”
This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the upcoming resignation of Judge Diane Druzinski. Judge Grillo’s term will expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2027.
15th District Court – City of Ann Arbor
Tamara Garwood, of Ann Arbor, is magistrate at the 15th District Court. Garwood previously served as attorney and partner at Baker, Stringer & Garwood, LLP. Garwood is co-chair of the State Bar of Michigan UPL Committee and an instructor for the Michigan Judicial Institute. In 2025, Garwood was awarded the A. Thomas Truesdell Distinguished Service Award by the Michigan Association of District Court Magistrates for Outstanding Dedication and Service.
Tamara Garwood holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University.
“I would like to thank Governor Whitmer for providing me with the opportunity to serve as the next judge of the 15th District Court,” said Garwood. I’m deeply honored and humbled by the appointment. It will be my privilege to continue to serve my community.”
This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Karen Valvo. Judge Garwood’s term will expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2027.
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