Junior Elizabeth Viviano got a text and a voicemail from her mom during class informing her that her dad’s cousin was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court.
Viviano, who used to babysit for David Viviano, said she didn’t know he would be appointed, but wasn’t all that surprised.
“His siblings knew, but the family had to keep it a secret. It was kept secret, which is hard in our family,” said Elizabeth Viviano, laughing.
Gov. Rick Snyder appointed David Viviano, ’94 Hillsdale College alumnus, to the Michigan Supreme Court on Feb. 27.
While Michigan’s seven Supreme Court justices are normally elected, the governor has the authority to fill positions opened by death, removal, resignation, or desertion. David Viviano will assume the post left vacant by ex-Justice Diane Hathaway, who resigned in January and is currently pleading guilty to bank fraud.
The people of Michigan elected Hathaway in 2008 over Justice Cliff Taylor, a member of the Hillsdale College President’s Club.
Viviano’s appointment is only temporary – he must seek election in 2014 to finish the remaining two years of Hathaway’s eight-year term.
“Judge Viviano has a distinguished record of judicial integrity and innovation,” said Snyder, in his announcement on Feb. 27. “His deep respect for the judicial branch of government and his commitment to the rule of law will serve Michigan well.”
David Viviano, 41, has six siblings and all of them attended Hillsdale College. He graduated with a double major in accounting and political economy. He went on to earn his law degree at the University of Michigan, where he graduated from in 1996.
After working at several law firms and starting his own, he was elected to the Macomb County Circuit Court in 2006, serving in the court’s criminal-civil division.
In 2011, the Michigan Supreme Court appointed him head of the circuit court, as well as the Macomb County Probate Court. He was among the judges, along with the Supreme Court, honored in 2012 with the G. Thomas Munsterman Award for Jury Innovation by the National Center for State Courts.
Professor of Political Economy Gary Wolfram heard Snyder would soon announce his appointment while returning from lunch with Snyder’s Chief of Staff Dennis Muchmore.
Muchmore told Wolfram the nominee wouldn’t be someone Wolfram knew – that, however, turned out to be not true: Wolfram taught Viviano in Introduction to Political Economy.
“David was a good student,” Wolfram said. “He understood the connection between markets and the political process.”
Wolfram later called Muchmore to let him know.
“If you’re interested in being a judge, you’re interested in the political process,” Wolfram said. “You get appointed if someone in the political process knows you.”
