Over 200 members of the Western District of Michigan bench, bar, and court staff gathered on June 20, 2014, at the Jury Assembly Room of the Gerald R. Ford Courthouse in Grand Rapids to celebrate the extraordinary career of United States Magistrate Judge Joseph G. Scoville. Judge Scoville is retiring after more than 25 years of service with the court, during which he earned a reputation as a fair, intelligent, and practical judge whose no-nonsense approach to the administration of justice helped successfully resolve thousands of criminal and civil cases.Among those who spoke to celebrate Magistrate Judge Scoville’s service included Chief Judge Paul L. Maloney, Magistrate Judges Ellen S. Carmody and Timothy P. Greeley, Sarah Howard on behalf of the Western District of Michigan Federal Bar Association, and Larry Wiley on behalf of the Defense Bar. In addition, Judge Scoville was presented with a plaque by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan honoring his years of service to the citizens of this district.
The program was a resounding success. Judge Scoville took the time to talk briefly with almost everyone in attendance. He also shared that his service to our community will continue through being a volunteer teacher of high school government at Sacred Heart Academy of Grand Rapids. I count myself among the many attorneys who were fortunate to practice before Magistrate Judge Scoville. He will be sorely missed from the bench.