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Circuit Court Judges named in DBusiness Top Circuit Court Judges in Metro Detroit

Press Release
40 N. Main Street
Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043
Phone: (586) 469-5150
www.macombgov.org

News
James M. Biernat Jr., Chief Judge
16th Judicial Circuit Court,
Macomb County Probate Court,
42nd District Courts

 

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For Immediate Release 
Media Contact: Linda Harrison 
                         linda.harrison@macombgov.org

 Date:  March 23, 2026

 

Circuit Court Judges named in DBusiness Top Circuit Court Judges in Metro Detroit

Chief Judge James Biernat has again been listed as one of Metro Detroit’s Top Circuit Court Judges in DBusiness magazine’s March/April 2026 publication. He began serving as Chief Judge in 2015 and has been appointed to the position every 2 years since. 

This year, Judge Biernat is joined by Judge Richard Caretti, Judge Teri Lynn Dennings, Judge Julie Gatti, Judge Rachel Rancilio, Judge Kathryn Viviano and Judge Tracey Yokich, 

Judge Biernat commented, “it is an honor to be chosen for this distinction by the attorneys who come before the Court.  I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in this capacity and to share this honor with such an inspiring group of Judges.”

Judge James M. Biernat, Jr. graduated from Hillsdale College in 1991. In 1997, he received his law degree from University of Detroit Law School. Biernat was a Commissioner for the 16th District on the Macomb County Board of Commissioners from January 1993 through December 1998. Moreover, Judge Biernat worked as an Assistant Prosecutor for the Macomb County Prosecuting Attorney's Office from January 1999 until his appointment to the bench by the Governor in 2011. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Macomb County Bar Association

DBusiness Magazine conducts a survey each summer asking attorneys to vote for the top judges in the Metro Detroit area. The judges named on the list received a high number of votes from peers and attorneys.

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Department:16th Judicial Circuit Court
Type:
Press Release