Honorable John M. Chmura

John Michael Chmura was born in Detroit in 1962.  While very young, he lived in what was known in the early ‘60s as “Poletown.”  In 1965, he moved to Warren where he currently resides.

Judge Chmura attended Beaver Elementary, Carter Junior High, and Cousino High Schools.  Upon graduation, he attended Michigan State University getting a degree from James Madison College.  He then attended the University of Wisconsin Law School, graduating in 1988.

Upon passing the Michigan Bar Exam in 1988 (Judge Chmura is also a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin), Judge Chmura entered private practice.  He practiced in the areas of criminal law, family law, real estate, and bankruptcy.  In 1991, he was appointed to be a Macomb County Public Administrator by then Attorney General Frank Kelley and so began to specialize in probate law. 

While in private practice, John was involved with numerous charitable, cultural, civic, and bar-related organizations.  Some of these include his service as president of the Macomb County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, treasurer and president of the Polish American Legal Society, and treasurer of the Macomb County Probate Bar Association.

In 1996, John was appointed by then Governor John Engler to the 37th District Court bench.  In 2008, he was appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to be that Court’s Chief Judge, a position which he currently holds.

Today, John is a member of many clubs and organizations.  Proud of his Polish heritage, these include a number of ethnically themed groups.  Since 2008, he has served as Parliamentarian of the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly.

John has been married 30 years to Ann Marie.  They have two children, Jonathan and Andy.