Justice Megan Cavanagh will assume the role of chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court upon the departure of outgoing Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement from the bench in the near future.

Cavanagh disclosed on Thursday that she had been unanimously selected by her fellow justices to assume the position of chief justice, as stated by a court spokesperson, as AP News reported.

Clement, who announced last month that she would be resigning from her position on the court to pursue an administrative position with a national organization that focuses on the court, will be succeeded by her. By April 30, Clement declared that she would step down from her position.

After receiving the support of Democrats at the party's convention in 2018, Cavanagh was elected to the court.

From the Justice

Her chief justice term ends next year. Also, she is up for reelection next year.

“While I love the case work that is central to serving as a Justice, I am ready to tackle the administrative responsibilities that come with the role of Chief Justice," Cavanagh said in a statement.

"From continuing the build out of the statewide case management system to the expansion of e-filing, technology implementation will remain central to our efforts to help our court system be more efficient and better able to meet the needs of the people we serve.

“My focus will be on strengthening collaborative efforts like the Michigan Judicial Council in which justice system stakeholders come together to weave a shared agenda that combines the best ideas and experiences. I believe strongly that collaboration and cooperation are the keys to building public trust in our branch of government.”

Makeup of the Court

On the Michigan Supreme Court, Cavanagh is one of five justices nominated by Democrats at the moment; when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appoints someone to replace Clement, the Democrats will hold a 6-1 majority.

The highest court in Michigan, the Supreme Court, reviews and decides on appeals from lower courts when there is a dispute over their decisions.

According to her court biography, Cavanagh had over fifteen years of expertise practicing appellate law and worked as a private practice attorney before being elected to the court.

Cavanagh has a history of maintaining a part in the Detroit law firm Garan Lucow Miller.

Court's Future

Whitmer has not yet appointed a successor to Clement, who was appointed by the Republican governor Rick Snyder, who served as governor in the past.

Next year , both Cavanagh and the person who would eventually succeed Clement will be competing for reelection.