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ABOUT

Hon. Gregory Christopher Pittman

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JUDGE PITTMAN - HOME

Judge Gregory C. Pittman is a lifelong resident of Muskegon County, born to the late Phillip Sr. & Arlene Pittman.  Gregory graduated from Muskegon Heights Public Schools in 1979, Michigan State University in 1983, and received his Juris Doctor degree from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 1987.


Judge Pittman is married to the former Theresa Kay Sandford, and they are the proud parents of Cherish F.A. Pittman and Jared G. Pittman.

JUDGE PITTMAN'S EXPERIENCE

The Judge’s work experience has included two years with the Michigan Department of Commerce, staff attorney with the Kent County Public Defender’s Office, and private practice with the Muskegon law firm of Williams, Hughes, Corwin & Sinninger.  Judge Pittman also served as Magistrate of the 60th District Court and is an adjunct faculty member at Muskegon Community College, Baker College, and the Michigan Judicial Institute.


On January 6, 1998, Governor John Engler appointed Judge Pittman to the Muskegon County Probate Bench, and has been re-elected, continuously, since 1998. 

A DIFFERENCE
MAKER

Throughout the professional career of Judge Pittman, the role of difference maker has been fully embraced by the Judge. Whether looking at Greater Muskegon, the State of Michigan, or on a national/international level, Judge Pittman has committed himself to working to improve the quality of life for all people.

Improving Quality of 
Life

  • In 1998 founded the Muskegon Responsible Fathers Initiative in recognition of the need to help non-custodial Fathers to reduce and eliminate the systemic barriers that help separate children from meaningful relationships with their fathers.

 

  • From 2006-2012 served on the Michigan Task Force for Children’s Justice, by appointment of both former Governors Jennifer Granholm and Rick Snyder.

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Career Commitment

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  • In 2013, was tasked by Governor Snyder with developing systemic solutions to stemming the “School to Prison Pipeline” in the County of Muskegon. That effort resulted in the development of the School Teams Assisting Youth Project (STAY Project). Local school districts have since adopted STAY principles in the effort to keep students connected to their educational program and present in school.​

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  • In 2014, Judge Pittman was Co-Founder of and served as the first Board President of the Muskegon Covenant Academy School (MCA). MCA is chartered by the State of Michigan to provide educational services, for students through the age of 22, which leads to a state certified high school diploma. The successful creation of MCA has subsequently led to similarly chartered Covenant Academy schools in both Kalamazoo and Saginaw. Judge Pittman continues to serve as a member of the Covenant Academy Foundation Board of Directors, which oversees the operations for all three Covenant Academy Schools. 

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  • In 2016, as Presiding Judge of the 14th Circuit Court Family Division, led the Family Court in collaborating with the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute to revamp Muskegon County’s juvenile justice system. After successfully implementing a new model over several years, it has resulted in a significant decrease in the number of youths in detention, out-of-home placements as well as a decrease in the number of days in care, all resulting in a decreased cost to this community.

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On January 6, 1998, Governor John Engler appointed Judge Pittman to the Muskegon County Probate Bench, and has been re-elected, continuously, since 1998. ​

Since 2016, Judge Pittman has:

 

  • Served as Chairman of the Muskegon County Election Commission, which maintains oversight of election activity in the County of Muskegon. (2016-present)

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  • Served on the Michigan Supreme Court’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Workgroup, that was tasked with making Michigan’s One Court of Justice accessible to all Michigan citizens. The work of this group has resulted in the issuance of the Supreme Court’s recent Administrative Orders, which serve as the guidelines for all Michigan courts to follow. (2020-2022)

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  • Served, by appointment, as Co-Chair of the MDHHS Michigan Children’s Welfare Improvement Task Force. (2021-2023)

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  • Served, by appointment of the Michigan Supreme Court, as Chief Judge of both the 14th Circuit Court and 61st Probate Court for Muskegon County. Judge Pittman is the first African-American ever selected to lead these Muskegon County courts. (2022-2024)

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  • Served as Chief Judge Pro Tempore of both the 14th Circuit Court and 61st Probate Court. (2024-present)

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Current and past organizational service
Current:

  • Chairman, Omega Life Membership Foundation Board of Director

  •  Life Fellow, Michigan Bar Association Foundation

  •  Board Member, Association of Black Judges of Michigan 

Past Affiliations:

  • President, Muskegon Heights Public Schools Board of Trustees

  • President, Muskegon Covenant Academy School Board of Director

  • Chairman, Child Abuse Council of Muskegon County

  • Chairman, Muskegon Oceana Community Action Partnership

Board Member

  • Community Foundation for Muskegon County 

  • Mercy Hospital/ Trinity Health Partners

  • Muskegon Area Intermediate School District

  • Goodwill of Greater Muskegon 

  • Muskegon County United Way

  • Lakeshore Boys and Girls Club

  • Muskegon YMCA

  • Michigan State University Alumni Association Advisory Board

Other State and National Affiliations

  • Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc.

  • Sigma Pi Phi (The Boule') Fraternity, Inc.

  • American Bar Association

  • National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

  • National Bar Association Judicial Council

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