Two Miller Canfield Attorneys Appointed to Senior Positions in Granholm Administration
The law firm of Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. is pleased to announce that two principals from its Lansing office have been appointed to senior positions by Governor Jennifer Granholm. The appointments await Senate confirmation.
Steven E. Chester will serve as Director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), and Jay B. Rising as State Treasurer.
Thomas W. Linn, Miller Canfield's CEO said, "On behalf of the firm, I want to congratulate both Steve and Jay on their appointments. Their honor is in part a reflection of the high quality and reputation of our firm in addition to a reflection of the high quality they both possess. Although the firm is losing the skill and contribution of two of our best and brightest lawyers, we wish them both good fortune in the new administration."
Mr. Chester joined Miller Canfield in 1995, becoming a principal in 1998. He is one of Michigan's best-known and ablest environmental lawyers. In addition to his experience at the firm, he has worked for the EPA, been an assistant attorney general in Michigan, and worked in the environmental enforcement division of Wayne County. His new position places him as the chief environmental enforcement officer for the state.
Mr. Rising first joined Miller Canfield in 1991, becoming a principal in 1993, and served as resident director of the Lansing office since 1998. Prior to joining Miller Canfield, he had been the Chief Deputy State Treasurer. In addition to that experience, he has unique knowledge of and experience in state government. In his new position, he will essentially be our state's CFO.
William J. Danhof, leader of Miller Canfield's Public Law Group and a resident of the Lansing office stated, "It has been a pleasure working with Jay over these past several years. We will miss his unique expertise and leadership abilities. Nevertheless, we are very proud of his accomplishments which have led to this appointment, and we wish him well."
"Steve Chester personifies the perfect blend of intellect, experience and integrity," said Thomas C. Phillips, co-leader of the firm's Environmental Practice Group. "He has dealt with every conceivable environmental issue in his career. He has handled both civil and criminal matters, and represented both private and public clients, including county, state and federal agencies. His intellect is first rate and his integrity iron clad. As a firm we lost a great partner and close friend, but the people of Michigan deserve the best, and they got it."
The 300-attorney law firm of Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. was established in Detroit in 1852 and has offices in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Howell, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Monroe, and Troy, Michigan. Other offices are located in New York City, Pensacola, Florida, Washington, D.C., Windsor, Ontario, and in Gdynia, Katowice, and Warsaw, Poland. Visit www.millercanfield.com.