The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians has a new chief judge of the Tribal Court.

According to Tribal Chairman Derek Bailey, the Tribal Council on Sept. 16 “voted to appoint Steve Campbell, an out of state attorney with an Indian law background” and a former tribal judge to a four-year term.

Campbell replaces Wilson D. Brott, a former assistant prosecutor for Leelanau County, who was appointed to the Tribal Court position six years ago by the Tribal Council. Brott currently resides in Grand Traverse County.

“The Tribal Council has chosen not to reappoint me as chief judge and (I) have gone in another direction,” Brott said in a prepared statement. “I wish to thank everyone at the Grand Traverse Band for the experience they have given me, and the many friends that I have made. I wish to thank the Tribal Court judges and staff especially for putting up with me for the last six years, and wish them and the new chief judge the very best.”

Bailey commented: “The Tribal Council appreciates Judge Brott’s past six years of service to the Grand Traverse Band and the tribal community. The Tribal Council wishes him well in his future endeavors.”
Brott said, “I am still in the process of figuring out what may next steps will be.”