“I am pleased to welcome two extremely talented and dedicated women who are making history as they fill critical Court roles that my colleagues and I rely on every single day,” said Chief Justice Megan K. Cavanagh.

The MSC Clerk’s essential duties include overseeing day-to-day and long-term strategic Court operations; docketing the pleadings and supporting documents filed by the parties and amici; working with the Chief Justice to schedule oral arguments, conferences, and special events; responding to inquiries regarding the Court’s practices, procedures or directives, statuses of cases, etc.; preparing and circulating notes of the opinion, commissioner, and administrative agendas; and more.

“Elizabeth Kingston-Miller not only brings to the Clerk position a wealth of experience within Michigan’s appellate system, but she also possesses an unwavering dedication to the administration of justice,” Chief Justice Cavanagh said. “Her solid understanding of how to increase efficiency and effectiveness on such a high level will undoubtedly benefit the Court and the people we serve.”

Kingston-Miller began her career as a paralegal before attending law school, where she worked as a private practice law clerk and a research and teaching assistant. In the appellate courts, she has worked as a research attorney in the Michigan Court of Appeals and as a senior judicial law clerk to former Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement.

Cheryl Nowak

“My previous role allowed me to collaborate closely with senior Court leadership, which broadened my perspective on how high-level coordination supports the Court’s mission,” she said. “I look forward to applying that experience to my new role in providing reliable administrative management and helping to drive improvement within the Court’s operations.”

Kingston-Miller earned a Juris Doctorate degree summa cum laude from Michigan State University College of Law and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies and History cum laude from Grand Valley State University.

The MSC Chief Commissioner works closely with the Chief Justice and other justices to facilitate the Court’s review and disposition of pending applications; manages the Court’s application docket; works with commissioners to provide procedural and substantive guidance on cases and orders, including special and emergency reports; oversees commissioner work product; manages the operations of the Commissioners’ Office; and more.

“Cheryl Nowak already possess a thorough understanding of the importance of collaboration and communication in the Commissioners’ Office, as well as the record of excellence to match it,” said Chief Justice Cavanagh. “I have no doubt that her transition into this new role will be seamless and will raise the level of our work.”

Nowak served as senior law clerk for former Chief Justice Stephen J. Markman for 20 years before joining the Commissioners’ Office.

“I am eager to apply my experience and skills to the role of Chief Commissioner, and I look forward to expanding on the existing relationships I have cultivated in this office as we work to continue the Court’s record of excellence,” she said.

Nowak earned a Juris Doctorate degree summa cum laude from Michigan State University College of Law and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science cum laude from Grand Valley State University.