Judge G. David Guinn is usually reluctant to talk about himself, so allow me to do it.
Generally speaking, a tribute would begin with a personal anecdote about the subject it is being written about. Here’s what you should know: Any personal story that anyone is going to tell about Judge Guinn is going to end the same way: He’s a good man.
Years ago, Judge Guinn gave one of the finest speeches I have witnessed when he was sworn in as a Judge of the 67th District Court. He closed it by saying that if you ever come before him in his courtroom, he will listen to you. That is exactly what he has done during his time on the bench.
This is a man who understands that he holds his position in trust; that is not his courtroom, but it belongs to the community and his job is as a caretaker of both the court itself and the community he serves. He is not a judge who makes the job about himself.
Judge Guinn is the type of person who, even after years on the bench, still seems a bit uneasy about everyone rising when he walks into the courtroom. He is an unassuming man who is just as comfortable standing on a street corner talking to a guy who is down on his luck as he is presiding over a trial.
Working in the legal field is, by definition, an adversarial job. Because of the nature of the job, those who do it are going to upset and offend someone at some point. They will have enemies, both real and perceived, in places they didn’t realize. There is possibly no other profession that likes to complain about and criticize its peers more than the legal profession. Somehow, these things do not apply to Judge Guinn. He is liked by all.
I agree with the idea that a statue should never be built for the living; but I would bet there will be one created someday in Judge Guinn’s honor. I suspect that when he retires, it will be as a first among equals on the bench and he will go down in Flint history as not just a judge, but as an institution.
Judge G. David Guinn was appointed to the bench by Governor Snyder in 2017 and we are all the better for it. Genesee County is better for it. The City of Flint is better for it. He is an honorable man. If you know him, your life is just a bit richer because of it.
