Hon. Mark S. Switalski (Ret)
Experience.
Mark Switalski is a retired Macomb County Circuit Court Judge, 39th District Court Judge and Attorney who now leads Mediation, Arbitration and Facilitation at Switalski Law. As a judge for over 30 years, Mark presided over hundreds of jury trials and is experienced in all types of litigation including Family Law, Personal Injury, Malpractice, Construction, General Civil, Complex Litigation, and more. Mark has settled hundreds of Divorce cases and Child Custody disputes. He has been a featured speaker at many seminars, represented the judiciary in leadership roles around the state and taught and mentored new Family Court judges.
As Chief Judge, Mark started the first Business Court in the State of Michigan. He also founded the Macomb County Circuit Court Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) in 2012. The VTC Team helps to rehabilitate veterans who have found themselves involved with the criminal justice system.
Mark negotiated and drafted the Macomb County Jail Bed Allocation Agreement (JBAC) in 2005. Mark served for years as chairman of the JBAC – a collective effort by his fellow judges and the Sheriff’s Department that for years not only solved a chronic jail overcrowding problem, it did so safely while saving millions of taxpayer dollars. He will always be proud of his fellow judges for their commitment to public service.
Mark is a lifelong Macomb County resident and a leader within his community. The Macomb Foundation inducted him into the Macomb County Hall of Fame 2020. In 2022, the Macomb County Board of Commissioners proclaimed that “Judge Mark Switalski has honorably served the people of Macomb County with respect and dignity for more than 30 years…Switalski’s commitment to justice for the residents of Macomb County will be a lasting impact.” He is married to former Judge Jodi Debbrecht Switalski. He is the proud father of three children, and step-father of two. Mark enjoys golfing and baseball.
Character & Integrity
You can teach a person many things but you can’t teach temperament. If you know Mark or have appeared before him, you understand. Mark is fair, decisive, free from bias and committed to helping individuals resolve conflict in a way that allows them to be respected, heard and feel invested in the outcome. Mark Switalski is patient, compassionate and rivaled by few. His character and integrity are above reproach.
“A true asset to the bench. He has always maintained a dignified and courteous demeanor on the bench, and still managed to inject humor into his interactions with his colleagues and staff.”
“It’s hard to imagine that court without Judge Mark. A true gentlemen who served with kindness, humility, compassion and integrity. He will be missed by all. Thanks for being our role model and mentor We love you!”
“As is frequently the case, the jurists who we treasure most due to their intellect, fairness and good humor, are the saddest to see leave the bench. That could not be better evidence by Mark’s departure. He has been a star. Will be too, when he lands among us.”