Donald Coleman is 32-year veteran of Michigan’s largest district court
The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) has named the Hon. Donald Coleman as its new Region 1 Administrator, effective June 30. In this role, Coleman will serve as SCAO’s liaison to the 26 trial courts (circuit, probate, district, and municipal) in Wayne County. Coleman has served on the bench in Detroit’s 36th District Court since 1992. He has served in every division of the Court and is currently the Presiding Judge of the Civil Division. The 36th District Court is the largest district court in the state of Michigan and one of the busiest courts in the United States.
“Judge Coleman’s longtime leadership on the bench has enabled him to develop many valuable relationships, understand the changing needs of our judiciary, and establish respect among the community,” said State Court Administrator Tom Boyd. “I can’t think of anyone who is better suited or positioned to support and guide Wayne County trial courts.”
Coleman’s primary responsibilities as Region 1 Administrator will include providing management assistance to all trial courts within the region regarding judicial assignment, funding and policy disputes, complaint investigation, and acting as a resource to judges and court staff as the State Court Administrator’s representative.
Coleman will also develop and implement plans and goals and direct the personnel and operational activities of the Region 1 Office.
As Presiding Judge of the Civil Division, Judge Coleman oversees the management of in-court and behind-the-scenes staff, works in collaboration with other judges in the division, and executes progressive strategies across a wide variety of civil cases. According to SCAO data, the 36th District Court received nearly 280,000 case filings in 2024.
Coleman serves as the founding pastor of New Breakthrough Church International in Detroit and has been a minister for more than 40 years. Prior to joining the bench, Judge Coleman co-founded his own full-service law firm and worked in the Macomb County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. In addition to state and federal bar associations, he is a member of the Michigan District Court Judges Association, the Association of Black Judges of Michigan, as well as many other civic and community organizations.
“During my judicial tenure, I have witnessed the vital role that SCAO has played in bringing significant improvements to the operations and oversight of our court system,” Coleman said. “I look forward to fulfilling this new role and continuing to build on SCAO’s cutting-edge innovations to strengthen the trust and confidence in our judicial institutions.”
Coleman earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Eli Broad Graduate School of Management at Michigan State University, a Juris Doctorate degree from University of Detroit Mercy Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from University of Detroit Mercy.
“Judge Coleman’s longtime leadership on the bench has enabled him to develop many valuable relationships, understand the changing needs of our judiciary, and establish respect among the community,” said State Court Administrator Tom Boyd. “I can’t think of anyone who is better suited or positioned to support and guide Wayne County trial courts.”
Coleman’s primary responsibilities as Region 1 Administrator will include providing management assistance to all trial courts within the region regarding judicial assignment, funding and policy disputes, complaint investigation, and acting as a resource to judges and court staff as the State Court Administrator’s representative.
Coleman will also develop and implement plans and goals and direct the personnel and operational activities of the Region 1 Office.
As Presiding Judge of the Civil Division, Judge Coleman oversees the management of in-court and behind-the-scenes staff, works in collaboration with other judges in the division, and executes progressive strategies across a wide variety of civil cases. According to SCAO data, the 36th District Court received nearly 280,000 case filings in 2024.
Coleman serves as the founding pastor of New Breakthrough Church International in Detroit and has been a minister for more than 40 years. Prior to joining the bench, Judge Coleman co-founded his own full-service law firm and worked in the Macomb County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. In addition to state and federal bar associations, he is a member of the Michigan District Court Judges Association, the Association of Black Judges of Michigan, as well as many other civic and community organizations.
“During my judicial tenure, I have witnessed the vital role that SCAO has played in bringing significant improvements to the operations and oversight of our court system,” Coleman said. “I look forward to fulfilling this new role and continuing to build on SCAO’s cutting-edge innovations to strengthen the trust and confidence in our judicial institutions.”
Coleman earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Eli Broad Graduate School of Management at Michigan State University, a Juris Doctorate degree from University of Detroit Mercy Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from University of Detroit Mercy.
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