--- title: "Michael M. McNamara | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-m-mcnamara-mi-district-judge-18th-district-court" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Michael M. McNamara 18th District Court · District Judge ## Profile - Court: 18th District Court - State: Michigan - Role: District Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/82) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/82) - [Michigan Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/82) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-m-mcnamara-mi-district-judge-18th-district-court", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-m-mcnamara-mi-district-judge-18th-district-court", "name": "Michael M. 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McNamara", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-m-mcnamara-mi-district-judge-18th-district-court" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - The elected Judge of Michigan’s 18th District Court in Westland, serving a six‐year term from January 1, 2025, after a long career as a prosecutor and municipal attorney - Assistant Westland City Attorney and Prosecutor in the 18th District Court (2003–2024) ### Education ### Additional information - Elected by Westland citizens on November 5, 2024 without opposition and sworn in during a public investiture ceremony in June 2025. - In 2023, he received the Spirit of Giving Award from Westland Youth Assistance - representing the city and institutions such as the William P. Faust Public Library. - Began his career at one of Michigan’s largest trial firms - handling medical malpractice, product liability, and municipal law cases. - His experience includes drafting ordinances, contract review, FOIA/Open Meeting Act matters, collective bargaining negotiations, and appearances before the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, MERC, EEOC, and the Driver’s License Appeal Division - He presides over the 18th District Court, which handles a range of criminal and municipal cases in Westland, and also co‐leads the court’s Probation Department alongside Judge Mark A. McConnell - Has practiced before state and federal courts, argued cases in the Michigan Court of Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and has extensive alternative dispute resolution, administrative law, and mediation experience - A lifelong Westland resident, he volunteers for Blues, Brews & BBQ, Relay for Life, serves on the Westland Chamber of Commerce Board, mentors through the Westland Youth Assistance Program, and is a lifetime member of the Friends of the Westland Library. ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-2f4be1384a246c5cc0b6bc97) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](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). Collected 2026-07-26.