---
title: "Sean Francis Cox | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sean-francis-cox-746"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Sean Francis Cox

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan · Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- 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, District Court, E.D. Michigan, 2006-present
- Retired on July 28, 2025 to join JAMS as a mediator, arbitrator, and court-appointed neutral, continuing his work in dispute resolution
- Retired American judge who served on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan from 2006 until his retirement on July 28, 2025
- In 1996, Michigan Governor John Engler appointed Cox as a Wayne County Circuit Court judge, a role he held until 2006

### Education

- Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University College of Law) — J.D. (1983)
- the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with his bachelor's degree — 1979
- Bachelor of General Studies — University of Michigan 1979

### Additional information

- judge until 2025, becoming Chief Judge in 2022
- Joined the court in 2006 after a nomination by President George W. Bush (R)
- President George W. Bush nominated Cox to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in 2004, and he was confirmed by the Senate on June 8, 2006
- Before joining the federal bench, he worked in private practice in Michigan — 1983–1996
- Born September 24, 1957, in Detroit, Michigan
- Date of birth: 1957-01-01
- Detroit Catholic Central High School
- focusing on municipal and personal injury litigation, including medical malpractice
- He also served on the State Bar of Michigan Judicial Qualifications Committee and as chair of disciplinary panels for the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission
- Birth place: Detroit, MI

## 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/746/sean-francis-cox/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/746/sean-francis-cox/)
- [U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/746/sean-francis-cox/)
- [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/746/sean-francis-cox/)
- [Sean Cox (Michigan)](https://ballotpedia.org/Sean_Cox_(Michigan))
- [Wikidata: Sean Cox](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7440909)

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