In a courtroom where every decision carries weight, Judge David Guinn has long been a steady, thoughtful presence – respected for both his legal expertise and his deep commitment to justice. In February, that dedication was recognized with the C. Frederick Robinson Legends Award, a prestigious honor that celebrates not only years of service, but the character of a man who has helped to shape Flint’s legal landscape with wisdom, compassion and an unwavering sense of duty.
The C. Frederick Robinson Legends Award was created by Flint attorney Trachelle Young in honor of C. Frederick Robinson – also a Flint attorney and leader in the Civil Rights Movement whose decades of work impacted people nationwide before he was slain at his Flint home in 2011.
The award is given to judges who represent a commitment to justice and equality for every person. Judge Guinn is the third person to receive this honor.
A Flint Southwestern grad, Guinn earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Grand Valley State University in 1994, then went on to earn his law degree from Ohio Northern University in 1997. After passing the bar exam, he returned to Flint to begin his law career, working for Genesee County as an assistant prosecuting attorney for nearly two decades.
“I love the law and the challenge of putting all the pieces of the puzzle together.”
In May, 2017 Gov. Rick Snyder appointed Guinn a judge for the 67th District Court in the City of Flint. His docket consists of misdemeanor and felony criminal cases from Genesee County as well as landlord-tenant, small claims and civil matters.
Very active in the community, Guinn serves on various boards and committees in the Genesee County area including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., The Esquire Mentoring & Leadership Program, Old Newsboys of Flint, Youth Leadership Institute, Inc., The Mallory-Van Dyne-Scott Bar Association, and the Genesee County Bar Association.
My City wanted to know more about this respected veteran member of the Flint legal community. Judge Guinn graciously found time in his busy schedule to answer a few questions about his recent award and reflect on his career.
Tell us what receiving this award means to you.
C. Frederick Robinson was a Civil Rights icon who zealously advocated for all his clients. He practiced law for over 55 years and fought tirelessly against racism and inequality. With the help of his longtime law partner, the late A. Glenn Epps, he was able to pass the country’s first Fair Housing Act in the City of Flint. They went on to collaborate on many other cases, including a lawsuit that desegregated Flint Memorial Park Cemetery. He was “Flint’s Drum Major” and fought daily to protect the rights of the downtrodden, the oppressed and the underprivileged.
I was truly humbled to learn that I was chosen to receive this award. Attorney Robinson was a good friend, a mentor, and a fellow member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Although we were usually on opposing sides in court, I always had a great deal of respect and admiration for him. He was a formidable opponent and was always prepared.
Are there individuals or mentors who have played a significant role in your journey?
I believe that Mentoring is a LIFETIME commitment. The Honorable Nathaniel C. Perry, III has been mentoring me since he was my basketball coach at Eisenhower Elementary School. Attorney Brenda R. Williams began mentoring me when she became Genesee County’s first African American Chief Assistant Prosecutor in 1999. Attorney Kenneth M. Scott has been harassing me (he calls it mentoring) since I met him in 1998. While employed at the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office, I was mentored by many Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys (APA) including Anthony Maxwell, Tim Cassady, Tim Bograkos, Karen Hanson and the late John Greene. More recently, I have been mentored by Chief Judge William H. Crawford, II since I joined the bench in 2017.
What challenges have you faced in your work, and how did you overcome them?
Upon joining the bench, one of the biggest challenges I faced was learning the nuances of civil and small claims cases. As an APA for nearly two decades, I was very familiar with criminal law and criminal procedure, but those were the only areas of law I had ever practiced. So, I followed my own advice and found some mentors. I relied heavily on Judge Perry and Chief Judge Crawford to help get me up to speed.
Do you have any goals or projects you’re currently pursuing?
Currently, my main project is raising a young gentleman and an avid basketball player. My son is a junior in high school and he plays travel basketball year-round. So, I can usually be found in a gym somewhere, especially on the weekends.
Are there particular cases or moments in your career that stand out as especially meaningful?
No single case comes to mind; but what does stand out are the people I have met within the legal community over the years. There are many hard-working people here in Genesee County who routinely go above and beyond the call of duty to help people in need in our community.
What advice would you give to young people considering a career in law or public service?
My best advice would be to do a job shadow – find a lawyer and spend some time observing what they do firsthand. Also, all Genesee County courts are open to the public; they are welcome to visit the 67th District Courts and the 7th Circuit Court anytime. Secondly, I would strongly encourage them to take as many analytical and problem-solving classes as they can in high school and college. That is what lawyers do – they solve problems. It is good practice.
What keeps you passionate about your work after all these years?
I love the law and the challenge of putting all the pieces of the puzzle together. Although I have a schedule in which I preside over certain types of cases on specific days each week, every day is truly different. Life is unscripted – I never know what tomorrow may bring.
