Thursday, December 12, 2024


Judge Bernard A. Friedman

Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse
231 W. Lafayette Blvd., Room 120
Detroit, MI 48226

Courtroom: Room 110
Chambers Telephone: (313) 234-5170
Chambers Fax: (313) 234-5356
Case Manager: Johnetta Curry (313) 234-5172

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Biography

Bernard A. Friedman was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan in June 1988. Judge Friedman was elevated to Chief Judge on June 16, 2004, and served in that capacity until January 1, 2009, at which time he became a senior judge.

Born in Detroit in 1943, Judge Friedman received his legal training at the Michigan State University/Detroit College of Law. Upon graduating from MSU/DCL, where he was awarded the Michigan State University/Detroit College of Law Alumni Scholarship for excellence in the study of law, Judge Friedman became a felony trial attorney for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, was a senior partner in a prominent law firm, and enjoyed a diversified law practice.

Prior to his assuming the position of judge of the United States District Court, Judge Friedman served as a judge of the State of Michigan 48th District court for six years.

Judge Friedman's legal background spans many phases of the law, including acting as City Attorney for several cities and being involved in civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, arbitration, negotiations and appearances before administrative agencies.

In June 2002, Judge Friedman was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from Michigan State University/Detroit College of Law. He has been the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award of the Oakland County Bar Association and the Mary S. Coleman Law-Related Education Recognition Award of the State Bar of Michigan. In 1990, he was named one of Michigan's 25 most respected judges by Lawyers Weekly and received the State of Israel Eleanor Roosevelt Humanities Award. In 2008 the Federal Bar Association recognized Judge Friedman's commitment to professional civility by naming its annual Civility Award after him.

Judge Friedman completed the Special Court Jurisdiction course of study at the National Judicial College of the University of Nevada, Reno.

On October 1, 2009, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., appointed Judge Friedman to a three-year term of service on the Information Technology Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States.

Judge Friedman is married to Rozanne Friedman, a psychologist, and they have two children and five grandchildren.

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