Judge Andrew J. Lievense

Created by the 1963 Michigan Constitution, the Michigan Court of Appeals began hearing cases in January 1965 and is now one of the country’s highest-volume intermediate appellate courts. It reviews appeals as a matter of right from final orders of circuit and probate courts, and some agency orders, while other lower court decisions require its permission. The court also possesses jurisdiction over original actions, including complaints for mandamus or superintending control against government officers, and cases alleging unfunded state mandates on local governments.