Knapp earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 1993 and his law degree from Detroit College of Law in 1996.

Snyder names Donald Knapp to 3rd Circuit Court, Wayne County

Knapp is a member of the Federalist Society, the Michigan Association of Municipal attorneys, the Livonia Bar Association, Livonia Chamber of Commerce, and the Livonia Kiwanis Club. He is a Fellow of the State Bar of Michigan Foundation and a past chair and member of the University of Michigan-Dearborn Alumni Society Board, as well as a past member of the University of Michigan Alumni Association’s Alumni Leadership Council.

Don Knapp earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a law degree from Detroit College of Law. He previously served as chair and a member of the University of Michigan-Dearborn Alumni Society Board and as a member of the University of Michigan Alumni Association’s Alumni Leadership Council.

Knapp has been in private practice since 2002 and served as the Livonia City Attorney since 2009. Prior to that, he clerked for Wayne County Circuit Judge Tim Kenny after working as a legislative aide to then-state Sen. Thad McCotter.

Don Knapp worked in private practice and served as Livonia City Attorney. He previously clerked for Wayne County Circuit Judge Tim Kenny and worked as a legislative aide to then-state Sen. Thad McCotter.

Don worked in private practice and served as Livonia City Attorney. He previously clerked for Wayne County Circuit Judge Tim Kenny and worked as a legislative aide to then-state Sen. Thad McCotter.

Daily Briefs

Snyder names Donald Knapp to 3rd Circuit Court, Wayne County

Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday announced the appointment of Donald Knapp, Jr. to the 3rd Circuit Court, Wayne County.

Knapp is a member of the Federalist Society, the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, the Livonia Bar Association, Livonia Chamber of Commerce, and the Livonia Kiwanis Club. He is a Fellow of the State Bar of Michigan Foundation and a past chair and member of the University of Michigan-Dearborn Alumni Society Board, as well as a past member of the University of Michigan Alumni Association’s Alumni Leadership Council. Knapp served on the Livonia City Council from 2002 to 2009.

Don was appointed to the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County. He previously served on the Livonia City Council from 2002 to 2009.

2026 Michigan General Election

Nonpartisan

The Criminal Division is housed at the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center. The division handles all criminal matters and criminal appeals from district courts in Wayne County. Some matters are eligible for an expedited docketing process in which all proceedings, except arraignment on warrants, are held at the Circuit Court level to aid with the high volume of cases. The Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division is the Hon. Donald L. Knapp.

Criminal Division | Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan

Was appointed to the Wayne County Circuit Court by Governor Rick Snyder.

Has worked in private legal practice since 2002 and served as Livonia City Attorney since 2009.

Clerked for Wayne County Circuit Judge Tim Kenny.

Serves as presiding judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court Criminal Division, which handles criminal matters and criminal appeals from district courts.

- Was appointed to the Wayne County Circuit Court by Governor Rick Snyder.
- Has worked in private legal practice since 2002 and served as Livonia City Attorney since 2009.
- Clerked for Wayne County Circuit Judge Tim Kenny.
- Serves as presiding judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court Criminal Division, which handles criminal matters and criminal appeals from district courts.

Legal Experience

As of September 14, 2026, Don Knapp did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Knapp is a member of the Federalist Society, the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, the Livonia Bar Association, Livonia Chamber of Commerce, and the Livonia Kiwanis Club. He is a Fellow of the State Bar of Michigan Foundation and a past chair and member of the University of Michigan-Dearborn Alumni Society Board, as well as a past member of the University of Michigan Alumni Association’s Alumni Leadership Council.

Serves as a member of the Livonia Kiwanis Club.

Serves as a member of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce.

Previously chaired and served as a member of the University of Michigan-Dearborn Alumni Society Board.

Previously served on the University of Michigan Alumni Association’s Alumni Leadership Council.

- Serves as a member of the Livonia Kiwanis Club.
- Serves as a member of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce.
- Previously chaired and served as a member of the University of Michigan-Dearborn Alumni Society Board.
- Previously served on the University of Michigan Alumni Association’s Alumni Leadership Council.

Community Involvement

LinkedIn

Facebook

Don Knapp

- Serves as presiding judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court Criminal Division, which handles criminal matters and criminal appeals from district courts.

As of September 14, 2026, Don Knapp’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Bradley L. Cobb

Carla G. Testani

Chandra W. Baker-Robinson

Charlene M. Elder

Chris Dingell

Christopher M. Blount

Cylenthia LaToye Miller

David J. Allen

Edward J. Joseph

Helal A. Farhat

Margaret M. Van Houten

Mary Beth Kelly

Nicole L. Castka

Nicole N. Goodson

Shannon Nicol Walker

- A circuit court judge is an elected judicial official who serves in Michigan’s circuit court system, the state’s trial court of general jurisdiction.
- Circuit courts handle major legal matters, including felony criminal cases, large civil lawsuits, family law matters, juvenile cases, and appeals from lower courts and some administrative agencies.
- Michigan circuit court judges are elected in nonpartisan elections and may also be appointed to fill vacancies.
- Judges serve six-year terms and may run for reelection.
- Candidates must be licensed attorneys authorized to practice law in Michigan, admitted to practice for at least five years, qualified electors within the judicial circuit, and under 70 years old at the time of election or appointment.
- The salary of a Michigan circuit court judge is approximately $183,000 per year.

A judge who handles major criminal, civil, and family court cases.