Tanya A. Grillo was appointed to the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Macomb County on January 6, 2026. She was born and raised in Macomb County and is a proud graduate of Lakeview High School.
Prior to her appointment, Judge Grillo maintained a distinguished legal career spanning trial practice, public service, and administrative roles. She served as the Managed Assigned Counsel Coordinator for the City of Southfield, where she oversaw the delivery of indigent defense services. In addition, she was an Administrative Hearing Officer for the City of Mount Clemens. Judge Grillo was the founder of Grillo Law, P.L.L.C., where her practice focused on criminal defense and trial work across Metro-Detroit. She also previously served as the Regional Manager for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, working with courts in Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair counties to implement statewide indigent defense standards and improve access to justice.
Judge Grillo serves as President of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan’s Executive Board and is a board member of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations. Her professional and community involvement reflects a deep commitment to advancing equity, professionalism, and public service in the legal system.
She earned her Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Central Florida.
Contact information
16th Judicial Circuit Court
Macomb County Courthouse
40 N. Main St, 2nd Floor
Mount Clemens, MI 48043
Telephone:
Staff
| Position | Name | Number |
| Secretary | Tanille Terenzi | 586-469-2571 |
| Clerk | Jessica MacKenzie | 586-469-5707 |
| Court Reporter | Danielle Groppi | danielle.groppi@outlook.com |
| Court Officer | Erika Wharfield | 586-469-2157 |
For the consideration of all individuals, this courtroom observes a fragrance-free policy. Please refrain from wearing scented products such as perfumes, colognes, and strongly scented lotions.
MATTERS HELD IN PERSON:
- Motion hearings before Judge
- Pro Con / Default Judgments
- PPO Hearings
- Settlement Conferences
- Trials
- Evidentiary Hearings
- Show Cause Hearings
- All Juvenile/Neglect and Abuse matters
MATTERS HELD VIA TELEPHONE:
Status Conferences before the Friend of the Court. Conferences will be conducted by Judge Grillo’s Referee, who will initiate the call.
MATTERS HELD VIA ZOOM:
Requests to appear via Zoom will be granted only under extraordinary circumstances and must receive prior approval from Judge Grillo’s clerk or secretary no less than one week before the scheduled hearing.
Should there be a change to an originally scheduled hearing, you will receive a call or email from Judge Grillo's staff.
MOTION DAY
Mondays (Tuesdays if a holiday falls on a Monday).
8:30 a.m. for Attorneys and 1:30 p.m. for Pro Pers (Self-Representing)
To check Judge Grillo’s availability, please click the link below to view the Judge's motion schedule.
- Judge’s copies are required for all motions and responses. These copies must be hand‑delivered or received by mail by 9:00 a.m. on the Friday before the scheduled hearing.
- JUDGE GRILLO’S STAFF WILL NOT PRINT JUDGE’S COPIES.
- Check in with Court Clerk.
- Friend of the Court (FOC) Monday Motions in front of the Referee will be held in accordance with each Referee’s rules and procedures. You will receive those notices directly from the FOC.
DENOVO HEARINGS: One adjournment allowed for up to two weeks. Any further adjournment must be done by stipulated order.
ENTRY OF JUDGMENTS OF DIVORCE
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 9:00 a.m.
Judgments of Divorce and all required accompanying Orders MUST be e-filed no later than ONE WEEK PRIOR of the Hearing or said Hearing will be adjourned.
*When placing Proofs/Entering JOD, Plaintiff & Plaintiff’s Counsel only are required to appear.
NAME CHANGES
Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. *Children under the age of 18 do NOT have to appear.
PPO HEARINGS
Mondays at 8:30 a.m. for Attorneys and 1:30 p.m. for Pro Pers (Self-Representing)
Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. for Pro Pers (Self-Representing)
USB FLASH DRIVES
USB flash drives will not be accepted for matters before Judge Grillo. Printed documents and photographs may be submitted for review. If the matter is scheduled for a hearing, any audio/video evidence may be presented USING the device BROUGHT IN BY the petitioner or respondent.
FRIEND OF THE COURT SHOW CAUSE HEARINGS
Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m.
DOMESTIC SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 9:00 a.m.
Held in-person either on the record or in the court’s conference room.
May be adjourned once by stipulated order; all further adjournments must be motioned up.
*If proceeding with Proofs/Entry of JOD Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s Counsel only are required to appear.
DATE CERTAIN TRIALS
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 9:00 a.m.
The Court's trial procedures are contained in its Trial Procedure Order which is issued when a case is scheduled for Trial. See Form - Trial Procedure Order
Trial adjournments must be motioned up.
*If proceeding with Proofs/Entry of JOD Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s Counsel only are required to appear.
STATUS CONFERENCES
Thursdays at 8:30 a.m.
Conferences are held either via Telephone or Zoom with a Judge Grillo Referee. The referee will initiate the call/meeting. Zoom meeting IDs will be provided to the parties prior to the conference date, by the FOC.