Christopher P. Yates

Christopher P. Yates
Judge, Michigan Court of Appeals 3rd District (appointed in 2022 and elected later in 2022)
Assuming office
2022
Appointed byGovernor Gretchen Whitmer
SucceedingJane Beckering
Judge, Court of Claims (appointed by Michigan Supreme Court January 2024)
Judge, Kent County, Michigan Circuit Court, 17th Circuit Court (appointed in 2008, and subsequently elected)
In office
2008–2022
Appointed byGovernor Jennifer Granholm
Personal details
EducationKalamazoo College (B.A., 1983)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (M.B.A., 1987)
University of Illinois College of Law (J.D., 1987)

Christopher Paul Yates is an American judge in the state of Michigan. He has served as both a trial-level and appellate judge. He was one of Michigan's first business court judges, serving in that role for ten years, and later developing a national presence and influence as a business court judge. Most recently, he was assigned to the specialized Michigan Court of Claims, to deal with litigation involving governmental entities. He served in two prestigious judicial clerkships, has held positions of significance outside of his judgeships, and has received numerous awards as a judge.