Magistrate Michael Sawicky Endorsements
Michigan Judges Endorse Magistrate Sawicky
Those who have served on the bench understand the judgment, temperament, integrity, and respect for the law the role requires. Magistrate Michael Sawicky is honored to have the support of current and former judges who know the responsibility of judicial service and believe he has the experience and character to serve as District Court Judge.
Hon. Matthew Ackerman
Michigan Court of Appeals
Hon. James Alexander
Oakland Circuit (retired)
Hon. Michelle Friedman Appel
45th District Court
Hon. Cynthia Arvant
46th District Court
Magistrates Endorse Magistrate Sawicky
Magistrates understand firsthand the responsibility of listening to both sides, applying the law, and making fair and impartial decisions. More than 20 magistrates from courts across Michigan have endorsed Magistrate Michael Sawicky for Judge of the 47th District Court, recognizing the experience, judgment, and judicial temperament he would bring to the bench.
Michigan Leaders & Attorneys
Farmington Hills Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 2659
The Farmington Hills Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 2659, is proud to endorse Magistrate Michael Sawicky for 47th District Court Judge.
As firefighters and paramedics, our members serve this community every day. We understand the importance of public trust, accountability, professionalism, and a justice system that works fairly for everyone. These same qualities are reflected in Magistrate Sawicky's service to the residents of Farmington and Farmington Hills.
As first responders, we value leaders who possess sound judgment, professionalism, compassion, and a deep commitment to public service. We believe Magistrate Michael Sawicky embodies these qualities and will continue the tradition of fairness, impartiality, and integrity that the residents of Farmington and Farmington Hills expect from their District Court.
For these reasons, the Farmington Hills Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 2659, proudly endorses Magistrate Michael Sawicky for 47th District Court Judge and encourages residents to support his candidacy.
In Solidarity,
Nicholas Newcomb
President
Farmington Hills Firefighters Association L2659
Police Officers Association of Michigan
Magistrate Michael E. Sawicky is honored to have the endorsement of the Police Officers Association of Michigan.
"As a former prosecutor, practicing defense attorney, and current magistrate, I have always worked closely with law enforcement and seen how public safety concerns affect the justice system.
The professionalism and integrity of our law enforcement officers is crucial to maintaining fairness and respect for everyone. I appreciate their trust and recognition of my commitment to serving our community, protecting rights, and upholding the rule of law.'
Video Endorsements
Julie Nelson Klein
Magistrate, Oakland County 48th District Court
Julie Nelson-Klein is an attorney and longtime Magistrate of Oakland County’s 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills, where her judicial responsibilities include conducting arraignments and presiding over informal hearings and small-claims matters. In 2024, the Michigan Supreme Court appointed Julie to the state’s Judicial Education Board, where she serves as its quasi-judicial officer member.
As a fellow magistrate with years of courtroom experience, Julie understands firsthand the judgment, temperament, and commitment to fairness required of those entrusted with judicial responsibility. Listen as she shares why she supports Magistrate Michael Sawicky for Judge of the 47th District Court.J
Listen as she shares why she supports Magistrate Michael Sawicky for Judge of the 47th District Court.
Frank Luscri
Longtime Farmington-Area Community Leader
Past President, Italian American Club of Livonia
Frank Luscri is a longtime Farmington-area community member with decades of civic involvement, including six years as President of the Italian American Club of Livonia and continued service with its charitable foundation. But Frank knows Michael Sawicky from a much more personal perspective. For more than 20 years, they have been neighbors, friends, and fellow homeowners association volunteers.
Listen as Frank shares what those years have shown him about Michael's integrity, levelheadedness, commitment to family, and the fairness he would bring to the 47th District Court bench.
Richard Small
Attorney, Small Law, PLLC.
Richard Small has built a diverse legal career representing clients in criminal defense, personal injury, immigration, traffic matters, and expungements. A graduate of the University of Michigan and the Wayne State University Law School, he brings firsthand courtroom experience and a respected perspective on the qualities that make an effective judge.
Listen as Richard shares why he believes Magistrate Michael Sawicky has the experience, temperament, and commitment to fairness needed to serve as Judge of the 47th District Court.
Andra Richardson
Magistrate, Oakland County District Court 52-1
Andra Richardson has served as a magistrate in Oakland County's 52-1 District Court in Novi since 1990, bringing more than three decades of judicial experience to the bench.
A former Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor and graduate of Wayne State University Law School, she also maintains a private family law practice, teaches as an adjunct professor at Eastern Michigan University, and has been selected to serve as an attorney magistrate in the 48th District Court.
Having known Michael Sawicky for more than 25 years, Andra has witnessed firsthand his compassion, integrity, and commitment to serving others.
Listen as she shares why she believes Michael's honesty, ethics, and dedication to the community make him the right choice to serve as Judge of the 47th District Court.
Magistrate Mark Berke
Law Office of Mark B. Berke, PLLC
Mark Berke is a lifelong Farmington Hills resident and Michigan attorney who has practiced law since 1997. Through the Law Office of Mark B. Berke, PLLC, his practice includes criminal defense, traffic matters, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil litigation. He has also served as a Special Assistant Attorney General handling child support prosecutions across Michigan and, in 2024, was appointed an attorney magistrate for the 47th District Court.
Having worked closely with Michael and looked to him as a mentor, Mark describes the qualities that come to mind when he thinks of Magistrate Sawicky: “Knowledge, experience and commitment.”
Listen as Mark shares why Michael’s experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney, magistrate, and mentor makes him exceptionally qualified to serve as Judge of the 47th District Court.
David Gorcyca
Former Oakland County Prosecutor
Of Counsel, Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton
David Gorcyca served as the elected Oakland County Prosecutor for 12 years, leading an office of more than 100 assistant prosecutors. A former president of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, he later entered private practice and currently practices criminal defense and civil litigation as Of Counsel at Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton.
David’s experience with Michael Sawicky goes back nearly 30 years. He hired Michael as an assistant prosecutor in 1996 and has seen his career develop from prosecutor to defense attorney to magistrate.
Listen as David shares why he believes Michael’s broad courtroom experience, preparation, fairness, and judicial temperament uniquely qualify him to serve as Judge of the 47th District Court.
Jack Kramer
Attorney, The Law Offices of Jack J. Kramer, P.C.
Jack is an attorney and founder of the Law Offices of Jack J. Kramer, P.C., with practice areas that include misdemeanors, felonies, traffic offenses, expungements, and driver’s license appeals.
He is licensed in Michigan, Arizona, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and he has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in criminal defense from 2017 through 2023.
Listen as Jack shares offers a strong endorsement of Magistrate Michael Sawicky.
Nick Hannawa
Attorney, Hannawa Sheena Law, PC
Nick Hannawa is an attorney with Hannawa Sheena Law, P.C., whose practice focuses primarily on criminal defense, real estate and business law matters.
Licensed in Michigan since 2014, Nick has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Criminal Defense from 2021 through 2026.
Listen as Nick shares why he believes Magistrate Michael Sawicky has the experience, temperament, and integrity to serve as District Court Judge.
Justin Zayid
Criminal Defense Lawyer
Justin Zayid is a Metro Detroit criminal defense attorney and founder of ZAYID LAW, with practice areas that include criminal defense, drunk driving, felonies, expungements, juvenile law, and real estate. He handles cases in Oakland, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties, giving him direct experience with the local court system and the qualities that matter in a judge.
From Justin: "Michael is uniquely qualified for this position, primarily because he has worn every single hat. He has worked as a prosecutor, he's worked as a public defender, and he's worked as a magistrate. And most importantly, he has the respect from everybody in this community as well as in this court."
Listen as Justin shares his perspective and offers a strong endorsement of Magistrate Michael Sawicky.
Vincent Pinti
University of Michigan Student & Advocate
As a University of Michigan student and award-winning advocate, he received the prestigious James T. Neubacher Award for advancing disability rights and inclusion, an honor given to individuals who significantly improve accessibility and equity for people with disabilities. Through his work in student government, he has led initiatives to expand caregiving access and support systems, while also pursuing a future in law and public policy to reform systems that impact vulnerable populations. His perspective reflects not only personal experience, but also meaningful, recognized contributions to improving how institutions serve others.
From Vincent: "I think a community is judged by how it treats those people, and Michael treats those people with with absolute dignity, respect, encouragement, love, and support. Everyone deserves to be heard and treated fairly. I believe Michael understands that."
Listen to the video to here Vincent's Complete Endorsement
Pati & Dave Bartlett
Pati and Dave Bartlett have known Michael Sawicky for over 20 years. Pati met him while working with other district Courts in Oakland County. Listen as Pati and Dave explain why Michael Sawicky if the best person for the District Court Judge role in District 47.
Julie McCowan, Esq.
Julie McCowan, Esq., is a respected attorney serving Oakland County, focusing on elder law, probate, guardianship, and conservatorship. Recognized as a top-rated attorney by Super Lawyers, she brings both legal expertise and a background in social work to her practice, advocating for some of the community’s most vulnerable individuals.
Sara Bowman
Former Mayor, City of Farmington
I am proud to endorse Attorney Michael Sawicky for 47th District Court Judge serving Farmington and Farmington Hills. I previously served as Mayor of Farmington, a non-partisan elected position, where I worked across differing viewpoints to serve the community with fairness, integrity, and respect for the law. Professionally, I am an ABA-educated litigation paralegal with more than 30 years of experience and a deep, firsthand understanding of how our court system functions and the critical role judges play in ensuring justice is administered impartially.
I am a strong supporter of non-partisan elections and firmly believe that an independent judiciary and unwavering respect for the rule of law are essential to public trust in our courts. Candidate Sawicky’s campaign statement rings loud and strong: “Politics have no place in the courtroom. Every person who appears before a judge deserves decisions grounded in the facts, the law, and a commitment to fairness—not political influence or personal bias.”
My qualifications for offering a judicial endorsement include long-standing involvement in the legal and labor communities:
- American Association for Paralegal Education, member in good standing
- American Bar Association, Paralegal Section, member in good standing
- Detroit Bar Association, Paralegal Section, member in good standing Oakland County Bar Association, Paralegal Section, Vice-Chair
- Oakland County Bar Foundation, member in good standing
- State Bar of Michigan, Paralegal Section Councilmember
- Teamsters Local 214, Chief Steward of the Oakland Community College Union representing state, county and municipal workers
Candidate Sawicky and I are also Fellows of the Oakland County Bar Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to service, professionalism, and the advancement of justice. Further, Attorney Sawicky is the only candidate who has served as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, and currently serves as a Magistrate in the 47th District Court. The relevance and importance of this experience cannot be understated. His knowledge and understanding of our community, his proven compassion from the bench, and legal acumen are unmatched in this judicial race.
Based on his legal experience, temperament, and dedication to the rule of law, I believe Michael Sawicky possesses the integrity, judgment, and fairness required of a District Court Judge. He will continue to serve the Farmington and Farmington Hills community with independence, respect for the law, and a clear understanding of the responsibility entrusted to the bench.
Support Michael Sawicky
