Jacob Femminineo, Jr. has been appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to fill a coveted seat on the 41B District Court judicial bench in Clinton Township. The judgeship became available with the retirement of former judge Linda Davis. Mr. Femminineo, a Mount Clemens lawyer, was selected to fill the judge’s seat over three other finalists seeking the position.
“Jacob Femminineo is a qualified professional with a wealth of education and experience,” Governor Whitmer said in a press release. “I have the full confidence that he will perform his responsibilities with thoroughness, dignity, and respect for all.”
Femminineo: A Family of the Law
A lifelong resident of Macomb County, Mr. Femminineo has practiced law since 1995, graduating with his Juris Doctorate from the Detroit College of Law. Along with his brother David Femminineo, Mr. Femminineo is a managing partner of Michigan Divorce Help, a law firm in Mount Clemens.
Mr. Femminineo’s area of legal practice has consisted of family law, criminal law, probate law, real estate law, wills and trusts, and general law matters, though his firm also practices law in the areas of personal injury and medical malpractice. Mr. Femminineo followed in the footsteps of his father Jacob Femminineo, Sr., who was an attorney in the county for nearly 30 years. “I think he would be very proud of me,” Mr. Femminineo says about his father. “Indirectly, I feel I’ve been preparing my entire life for this.”
Well-known for his legal experience, confidence in the courtroom, and dedication to his clients, Mr. Femminineo has long been devoted to his community and relishes this opportunity to give back to the place he has always called home.
The court’s Chief Judge Carrie Lynn Fuca said Mr. Femminineo will be a “good fit” in the 41 District Court, which encompasses Clinton Township, Mount Clemens, and Harrison Township. “Both Judge Lucido and I are excited to have hm on board and are glad the governor moved to swiftly to fil the vacancy,” says Ms. Fuca. “We’ve known Jake for years in the community. We expect a smooth transition.”
Jacob Femminineo Prepares for the Bench
Throughout his career, Mr. Femminineo established a strong reputation for himself among his colleagues as well as in the courtroom, the place he will now call his own. He has always had the utmost respect for the bench, understanding that the judge in a trial is his audience, the one who has the final say.
This professionalism and breadth of experience will allow Mr. Femminineo to cultivate the nuances of his own judgeship as he makes life-altering decisions instead of arguing for them to work in his clients’ favor. He will hear cases on the general criminal and civil docket and will oversee the mental health court and sobriety court. Mr. Femminineo will fill a partial term, which will expire at noon on January 1, 2021. Should he decide to seek a full six-year term, he will run for reelection in November 2020.
“I can’t wait for court to open,” Mr. Femminineo says as he makes his exit from his firm and makes plans to begin his job on Monday, May 6, 2019. “The 41B District Court is a diamond of Macomb County. It’s a new court that is well run and has two great judges already there, along with a strong support staff. I feel like I am the luckiest person on the planet.” Luck may have a little to do with it, but Jacob Femminineo created for himself the resume that elevated him to this role.