---
title: "Douglas B. Shapiro | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/douglas-b-shapiro-7593"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Douglas B. Shapiro

Michigan Court of Appeals · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
- State: Michigan
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Michigan Court of Appeals, 2009-present
- Douglas B. Shapiro held the role of a judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals, Third District from February 2, 2009, until January 1, 2024, when he was succeeded by Philip Mariani
- Shapiro continued his practice with this firm until his appointment to the Michigan Court of Appeals in 2009
- The firm's name changed to Muth and Shapiro, PC in 1995 when Sharpiro became a partner
- Joined Muth and Fett, PC in 1991, later becoming a partner in Muth and Shapiro, PC
- In 1989, he served as an assistant attorney in the State Appellate Defenders Office
- Began his legal career in 1986 as a law clerk to Justice James Brickley of the Michigan Supreme Court

### Education

- University of Michigan Law School in — J.D. (1986)

### Additional information

- Shapiro’s term ended January 1, 2024, and he was succeeded by Philip Mariani.
- He was re‐elected in the November 6, 2018 general election for a full six‐year term.
- Joined the Third District Court of Appeals by then–Governor Jennifer Granholm in 2009.
- Joined the law firm of Muth and Fett, PC in 1991.
- He then served as a staff attorney with the Center for Social Gerontology.
- His tenure covered complex cases in areas such as no‐fault law, criminal law, civil rights, and municipal law
- He remains recognized for his contributions to Michigan’s appellate jurisprudence and his prior legal practice

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### videoconferencing

Scope: statewide

Michigan courts may determine the manner and extent of videoconferencing technology, subject to participant requests and suitability factors under MCR 2.407.

Evidence excerpt: courts may determine the manner and extent of the use of videoconferencing technology and may require participants to attend court proceedings by videoconferencing technology

[Michigan Court Rule 2.407, Videoconferencing](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-2-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2.htm?rhtocid=_2)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote access notice

Scope: statewide

If a Michigan proceeding will be held by videoconferencing technology, the court must provide reasonable notice of how to access it.

Evidence excerpt: If a proceeding will be held using videoconferencing technology, the court must provide reasonable notice of the way(s) to access that proceeding.

[Michigan Court Rule 2.407, Videoconferencing](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-2-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2.htm?rhtocid=_2)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### recording and broadcasting

Scope: statewide

Michigan prohibits photography, audio or video recording, broadcasting, or live streaming in a courtroom unless allowed by the presiding judge, subject to the separate media-coverage order.

Evidence excerpt: In a courtroom, no one may use a portable electronic device to take photographs or for audio or video recording, broadcasting, or live streaming unless that use is specifically allowed by the Judge presiding over that courtroom.

[Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-8-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8.htm?rhtocid=_25)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### device use

Scope: statewide

Michigan allows courtroom use of portable electronic devices for information retrieval, storage, internet access, and messaging, but requires silence and bars calls or other audible functions without court permission.

Evidence excerpt: Attorneys, parties, and members of the public may use a portable electronic device in a courtroom to retrieve or to store information (including notetaking), to access the Internet, and to send and receive text messages or information.

[Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-8-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8.htm?rhtocid=_25)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7593/douglas-b-shapiro/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7593/douglas-b-shapiro/)
- [Michigan Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7593/douglas-b-shapiro/)
- [Michigan Court Rule 2.407, Videoconferencing](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-2-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2.htm?rhtocid=_2)
- [Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-8-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8.htm?rhtocid=_25)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7593/douglas-b-shapiro/)
- [Douglas Shapiro (Michigan) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Douglas_Shapiro_(Michigan))
- [Michigan Court of Appeals 2025 Annual Report](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/49e82a/siteassets/reports/coa/annualreports/annualreport2025.pdf)
- [2024 Annual Report, Judicial Chambers: explicit retirements](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/49ad19/siteassets/reports/coa/annualreports/annualreport2024.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7593/douglas-b-shapiro/)
- [Douglas Shapiro (Michigan) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Douglas_Shapiro_(Michigan))

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