Hon. David Perkins, a Detroit judge, was elected to Wayne County Probate Court in 2018. He has held various positions, including Wayne County Juvenile Court Referee, Magistrate, Assistant Corporation Counsel, and Judge Advocate for the Michigan National Guard. Perkins holds a Juris Doctorate from Howard University and a Bachelor of Arts, Biological Sciences from Rutgers University. He has served on committees of the American Bar Association, Michigan Young Lawyers, and the Association of Black Judges of Michigan. He is an adjunct professor at WCCCD and has received numerous awards for his community work. Perkins mentors at-risk youth and advocates for young voices to be heard, aiming to improve the lives of Wayne County's youth and Detroit's citizens.
Judge Perkins in 2020 was re-elected to The State Bar Board of Commissioners for the State Bar of Michigan. He is also a member of the Judicial Division of the American Bar Association
Judge Perkins Chaired: The Coalition on Racial and Ethnic Justice of the American Bar Association (ABA); Chaired the Michigan Young Lawyers and served on various Committees of both the ABA and State Bar of Michigan He has been a Past President of the Association of Black Judges of Michigan and The D. Augustus Straker Bar Association. He is a lifetime member of the NAACP, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, a member of the Detroit Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen. He presently serves on Board of Directors for: Wayne County Dispute Resolution Center; The Black United Fund of Michigan; the Reggie McKenzie Foundation and as a lay minister in his church. He has been actively involved with many community and labor groups. While a Referee he volunteered as a jurist for a teen-court program and presided over Juvenile Drug Court. He currently works as an adjunct professor at WCCCD. Judge Perkins has been given numerous awards for his community work. He often mentors at risk youth. Judge Perkins believes that all young voices, shall have a forum for their voices to be heard. He strives to help make a better way for our young people and all citizens of Wayne County and the City of Detroit.