Judge James K. Kersten has been a judge with the 33rd District court since his election in 1996. He was re-elected in 2002 and again in 2008. He served as Chief Judge for the 33rd District Court from 2000 until 2004, and was again named Chief Judge in January of 2010. Prior to his election, he worked as an attorney in our community for 16 years representing local families and businesses. He also served as a Wayne County Mediator and Arbitrator for ten years prior to being elected judge. He is a member of the Michigan Bar Association and Downriver Bar Association along with past president of the Wayne County District Judges’ Association.
Judge Kersten is a life-long resident of the area. He graduated from Trenton High School in 1973 and is a graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in 1977. In 1980, he obtained a law degree from Detroit College of Law-Michigan State University. He is a member of St. Paul’s Church in Trenton. He has been an active member and past president of Flat Rock Rotary and a member of the Downriver Irish American Club, the Elks Club of Flat Rock, and the Moose Club of Woodhaven.
He has been active in youth sports Downriver, including AYSO soccer and Trenton Blast softball. Judge Kersten lives in our community with his wife and two children.