The Michigan Supreme Court has appointed Judge Gene Hunt as Chief Judge of Dearborn’s 19th District Court on January 1.
Hunt is now the presiding officer of the court, which is Wayne County’s second largest district court.
He also has administrative superintending power and control over the judges of the court and all court personnel.
These responsibilities include caseload management and disposition of judicial workloads, supervision of all court personnel, finances, and other critical functions.
“I take seriously the faith the Michigan Supreme Court has placed in me by their appointment,” Hunt said in a statement, adding that serving his hometown of Dearborn is an “honor.”
“In this new position I will oversee the services provided by our Court and I remain committed to helping people navigate the court system.”
Chief Judge Hunt was elected to the Dearborn Court on November 8, 2016, and has been on the bench for two years.
Hunt, who grew up in Dearborn, is well-known for his work on the bench and his deep civic involvement.
After serving in the United States Marine, he returned home and attended Henry Ford Community College and the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
He graduated from Wayne State Law School in 1985 and spent his entire legal career in Dearborn.
For more than 20 years he has served as the court-appointed attorney for the 19th District Court, representing indigent defendants. As court appointed attorney he appeared in court up to five days a week and handled more than 10,000 cases in the Dearborn court.
He is a member of the Dearborn Exchange Club, the Optimist Club, American Legion, Marine Corp League and the Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council.
Hunt replaced Judge Sam Salamey who was re-elected to the bench last year after running unopposed.
“I thank Judge Salamey for his years of service as chief judge and will work with him, Judge (Mark) Somers and Court Administration to continue to provide the quality services customary at the 19th District Court,” said Hunt.
