Judge David J. Buter

Background

Judge Buter was appointed to the 61st District Court bench in 1995 to fill the vacancy left by the election of Honorable Joel P. Hoekstra to the Court of Appeals. Judge Buter was elected to full six year terms in 1996, 2002, 2008 and 2014. He has been selected twice by the Michigan Supreme Court to serve as Chief Judge of the 61st District Court.

Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Buter served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Kent County from 1977 to 1981. Thereafter, he was a partner in the general practice law firm of Linsey, Strain and Worsfold, PC, until 1995.

Education

Judge Buter graduated with Distinction from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1976. He attended East Christian High School in Grand Rapids and earned his bachelor’s degree from Calvin College in 1973.