New judge takes place on circuit court bench

Judge Joseph Toia was scheduled to take his seat on the Macomb County Circuit Court bench today, filling the vacancy left by Judge John Foster’s retirement earlier this year.

Toia, 61, was named to the bench by Gov. Rick Snyder on Aug. 10.

“I am honored to have been chosen by the governor and I look forward to serving the people of Macomb County and the State from the Bench.” Toia said.

He is taking over a civil/criminal efiling docket that was being handled by visiting Judge Jame Biernat Sr.

Toia graduated from Wayne State University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration/finance. He received his Juris Doctorate from Detroit College of Law (now known as Michigan State College of Law) in 1984.

Prior to his appointment, Toia was in private practice for 31 years. Additionally, he served as the prosecuting attorney for Orion Township in Oakland County.

Toia is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Macomb County Bar Association and Oakland County Bar Association.

He has served as president of the Italian American Bar Association, president and chairman of the Italian American Chamber of Commerce, president of Kiwanis Club of Utica/Shelby Township, chairman of the Shelby Township Planning
Commission  and a mediator in the Macomb County Circuit Court.

Toia also has been a member of the Judges United with Students and Teachers Program and Michigan Society of Planners.

“My colleagues and I look forward to welcoming Judge Toia to the bench and believe that Gov. Snyder made an excellent choice among a very qualified group of applicants,” said Chief Judge James Biernat, Jr. “Judge Toia is a fine attorney with extensive experience in multiple areas of the law. He is also a gentleman with an outstanding reputation for professionalism in the legal community. He will be an outstanding jurist and great addition to our bench.”

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