In a ceremony marked by recognition and respect for legal expertise, the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC) recently presented Judge Richard Caretti with the President’s Special Recognition Award, a distinction underscoring his exceptional contributions to the field of civil litigation; this event transpired at the Annual Past Presidents’ Reception held on April 3, 2025, as noted by the Macomb County Court announcement.
Judge Caretti, the current leader of the Civil and Criminal Divisions of the 16th Judicial Circuit Court since his initial appointment in 2002 and now a four-term elected official, has a storied trajectory that weaves through the halls of justice, adding to it his role as a Business Court Judge upon his appointment by the Supreme Court in 2015, a role he was designated for by the very merit of his longstanding commitment to the legal community and the MDTC which recognized him previously in 2022 with its prestigious Award for Judicial Excellence. His scholarly pursuits began at Wayne State University and culminated Magna Cum Laude at the Detroit College of Law in 1979, a time during which he concurrently upheld justice on the streets as a Detroit police officer, according to the Macomb County Court.
In a statement obtained by the Macomb County Court news page, Chief Judge Biernat commended Judge Caretti's unwavering persistence in nurturing the legal community, "Judge Caretti has been dedicated to the development of the practice of law throughout his tenure on the bench," and she elaborated on his role as a mentor to attorneys honing their courtroom acumen, "He works tirelessly to help attorneys develop a foundation and be a mentor as they engage in the practice of law." Further applauding his invested service, Chief Judge Biernat affirmed why such honors were merited: "Judge Caretti’s long history and dedication to service have made him deserving of such a prestigious award."
