Cooper hopes to take his father’s place as judge

LUDINGTON — Lake County Prosecuting Attorney Craig Cooper hopes to takes his father’s place as the 51st Circuit Court judge. Cooper is the third area attorney to announce his candidacy for the position, which is being vacated by Richard Cooper, who retires the end of this year. Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Spaniola and former Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Susan Sniegowski are also running.

Craig Cooper has served as Lake County prosecuting attorney since 2012 and served as assistant prosecutor there since 2011 — the 51st Circuit Court covers both Mason and Lake counties. Prior to that he worked as a private attorney with the law firm of Gockerman, Wilson, Saylor & Hesslin, P.C., Western Land Services, Inc., and Plante & Moran, PLLC. He has a broad range of legal experience, ranging from criminal, family, estate, civil, and business law.

Cooper was born and raised in Ludington where he graduated from Ludington High School. He attended the University of Michigan where he obtained his Bachelor of business administration degree with an emphasis in business law and accounting. He obtained his Juris Doctor Degree from Michigan State University College of Law where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. While at MSU College of Law, he served on the Law Review as managing editor and worked for the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

Cooper said he takes pride in the fact that he attended the same law school as his father and grandfather and has strong roots in the community. His grandfather is Dic Cooper who served as Lake County’s Prosecutor during the 1950s.

Cooper is an Eagle Scout from Troop 1190 based out of the Community Church in Ludington where he is also a church member. He currently serves on the board of directors of the President Ford Field Service Council and is president of the Baldwin Rotary Club. Cooper is an avid outdoorsman, skier and enjoys playing the alto sax with the Scottville Clown Band, as does his father, Judge Cooper.

“If elected, I look forward to the opportunity to serve the people of Mason and Lake counties as their circuit judge and will lead with a firm and fair approach in the pursuit of justice and his representation of the counties,” he said.