Markman was appointed to the Supreme Court by Governor John Engler in 1999, then was elected to his seat in 2000 and reelected in 2004 and 2012. Prior to serving on the state's highest court, Markman served as U.S. Attorney in Detroit, as an assistant U.S. Attorney General and a judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals. He also practiced law with Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone in Detroit.
Markman's term as chief justice will follow that of Chief Justice Robert Young Jr., who has served as chief justice since 2011.