ALLEGAN COUNTY — After nearly two decades on the bench in Allegan County, Judge William Baillargeon has announced he will retire later this year.
Baillargeon, who has served as a judge in Allegan County for 18 years, announced his planned retirement during a Law Day Ceremony in his courtroom May 1. His retirement will be effective Aug. 1.
Baillargeon was first appointed to the 48th Circuit Court in 2007 by then Gov. Jennifer Granholm. He lost re-election to the seat, but was appointed to the 57th District Court, again by Granholm, in 2009.
He retained the seat in the ensuing election and was re-elected in 2012, 2018 and, most recently, in 2024. Baillargeon is currently Chief Judge of the 57th District Court.
During his tenure, Baillargeon helped establish a pair of specialty treatment courts. He founded Allegan’s Sobriety Court, which he has presided over for 10 years, and the West Michigan Regional Veterans Treatment Court, which began in 2014 and serves Allegan, Ottawa and Van Buren.
Baillargeon also worked with Judge Joseph Skocelas to conduct Court-in-School Programs to teach local high schoolers about court systems.
A successor for Baillargeon will be named by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to serve until November 2026. The remainder of Baillargeon’s term, which was set to run through 2030, will be up for election at that time.
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Longtime Allegan County Judge William Baillargeon set to retire in August
Reporting by Mitchell Boatman, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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