Education

• Wayne State University Law School, JD, 1995
• University of Michigan, AB in Political Science and Sociology, 1992

Experience

• Judge, Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, 2021 - present
• Referee, Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division, 2003 – 2020
• Associate Attorney, Mooney & Gilboe, 2001 – 2003
• Senior Staff Attorney, Jackson County (Missouri) CASA, 1997 – 2001
• AmeriCorps Attorney/Mediator, Legal Aid of Western Missouri, 1996 - 1997

Admission

• Admitted to practice law in the states of Michigan, Kansas, and Missouri 

Appointed

• Appointee, State Bar of Michigan Judicial Ethics Committee
• Former Appointee, State Bar of Michigan Professional Standards Steering Committee
• Former Appointee, State Bar of Michigan Professionalism and Civility Committee

Memberships

• Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation
• Fellow, Oakland County Bar Foundation

• State Bar of Michigan
  • Family Law Section
  • Juvenile Law Section
  • LGBTQ+ Law Section

• Oakland County Bar Association
  • Family Law Committee
  • Juvenile Law Committee

• Member, Jewish Bar Association of Michigan
• Member, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan
• Member and Former Treasurer, Michigan Inter-Professional Association on Marriage, Divorce & the Family
• Member, Women Officials Network
• Former President, Referees Association of Michigan

 Publications

• Published author in Michigan Bar Journal, Michigan Family Law Journal, Latches, and Referees Quarterly. 

Presenter

• The Institute for Continuing Legal Education and Michigan Judicial Institute

ADA Accommodations

Should you need an accommodation due to a disability, please refer to the Court's ADA Accommodations page for more information and forms.

Interpreters

Should you need a foreign language interpreter or sign language interpreter, please contact chambers as soon as possible. Failure to provide at least seven (7) days' notice may result in an adjournment. Refer to the Court's Accessibility page for more information and forms.

Cost for ASL and Foreign Language Interpreters

If you have asked for an ASL or foreign language interpreter and want to adjourn or cancel your court date, you must inform Judge Savin's staff in chambers at least 2 business days prior to your court date. Should the Court obtain an ASL or foreign language interpreter at your request and you fail to appear at the court date or adjourn the matter with less than 2 business days' notice, the Court may require you to reimburse the Court for the cost of the interpreter's fees following a hearing to determine your ability to pay. Judge Savin's staff can be contacted at SavinChambers@oakgov.com or at (248) 858-5285 during business hours.

Attendance Generally

Attorneys and parties must attend all court hearings, including procedural hearings, unless specifically stated otherwise.

Attendance Exceptions

A party represented by an attorney may be excused from the first settlement conference so long as their attorney is present.

Requests to Adjourn

Requests to adjourn by stipulation or motion must comply with MCR 2.503(B). A stipulated order to adjourn must be submitted at least 7 days prior to the upcoming court date absent an emergency. A motion to adjourn must be scheduled to be heard at least 7 days prior to the upcoming court date absent an emergency. A party or attorney’s failure to timely request an adjournment is not an emergency. Do not assume adjournment requests will be granted.

Settlement Conferences

The court will issue a scheduling order at the settlement conference date unless the parties present a signed consent judgment in advance and place proofs on the record.. The parties are encouraged to discuss selection of a mediator prior to this date. Expect to go on the record with the judge at this date to provide information about the status of the case.

Scheduling Orders

This document will be the only notice of subsequent court dates and will contain important deadlines. Be sure to take, read, and keep your copy.

Extension of Dates in Scheduling Order

Parties are expected to begin discovery before the scheduling order is issued. However, the deadlines in the scheduling order may be extended, when necessary, by written stipulation so long as the extension does not interfere with mediation or trial dates.

Attire

Parties must appear in appropriate attire. Local Court Rule 8.115(D). Hats and head coverings are not permitted to be worn in the courtroom unless worn due to religious customs. Sunglasses are not permitted to be worn in the courtroom unless specific permission is given by the court.

Children

Children are not permitted in the courtroom unless given permission or instruction by the judge's staff.

Portable Electronic Devices

All portable electronic devices must be silenced or turned off in the courtroom. Portable electronic devices may not be used to take photographs, for audio or video recording purposes, or for broadcasting or live streaming in the courtroom unless permission is specifically granted by the judge. MCR 8.115 (C)(3)(a). Portable electronic devices may not be used to photograph, record, broadcast or live stream an individual in the courthouse without that individual's prior express consent. MCR 8.115(C)(3)(b).

Principles of Professionalism

In fulfilling our professional responsibilities, we as attorneys, officers of the court, and custodians of our legal system, must remain ever-mindful of our obligations of civility in pursuit of justice, the rule of law, and the fair and peaceable resolution of disputes and controversies. In this regard, we adhere to the following principles adopted by the State Bar of Michigan and authorized by the Michigan Supreme Court.

• We show civility in our interactions with people involved in the justice system by treating them with courtesy and respect.
• We are cooperative with people involved in the justice system within the bounds of our obligations to clients.
• We do not engage in, or tolerate, conduct that may be viewed as rude, threatening or obstructive toward people involved in the justice system.
• We do not disparage or attack people involved in the justice system, or employ gratuitously hostile or demeaning words in our written and oral legal communications and pleadings.
• We do not act upon, or exhibit, invidious bias toward people involved in the justice system and we seek reasonably to accommodate the needs of others, including lawyers, litigants, judges, jurors, court staff, and members of the public, who may require such accommodation.
• We treat people involved in the justice system fairly and respectfully notwithstanding their differing perspectives, viewpoints, or politics.
• We act with honesty and integrity in our relations with people involved in the justice system and fully honor promises and commitments.
• We act in good faith to advance only those positions in our legal arguments that are reasonable and just under the circumstances.
• We accord professional courtesy, wherever reasonably possible, to other members of our profession.
• We act conscientiously and responsibly in taking care of the financial interests of our clients and others involved in the justice system.
• We recognize ours as a profession with its own practices and traditions, many of which have taken root over the passing of many years, and seek to accord respect and regard to these practices and traditions.
• We seek to exemplify the best of our profession in our interactions with people who are not involved in the justice system.

Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 2020-23 (December 16, 2020)

Default Judgments

A party must file and obtain a default against the non-moving party from the County Clerk before presenting a default judgment to the court. Please be aware that the County Clerk does not determine whether you have proper service when they enter a default. Please verify entry of the default by the County Clerk before appearing for the default judgment hearing. The moving party must comply with MCR 3.210(B) prior to appearing for the hearing to enter the default judgment. The moving party must present the proposed default judgment and necessary related orders to the Court at least five (5) business days prior to the court date so the Court may review the documents in advance.

Consent Judgments

Please present the signed consent judgment and necessary related orders to the Court at least five (5) business days prior to your court date so the Court may review the documents in advance. Only in rare cases will the Court take proofs without advance submission of a consent judgment, but in that instance, it will require the parties to submit a signed consent judgment based on the settlement placed on the record within twenty-one (21) days. If the court does not receive a signed consent judgment with any necessary related orders within the twenty-one (21) days, it is within the court's discretion to dismiss the case.

Submission of Judgments in Cases with Minor Children

You must submit a completed Uniform Child Support Order (FOC 10) for any case involving children at the time you submit the judgment. A Deviation Addendum (FOC 10d) must be attached to the Uniform Child Support Order if you are not following the child support formula calculations in any way.

Taking Proofs for a Consent Judgment or Default Judgment

The Court requires sufficient time to review proposed judgments and orders prior to taking proofs. All judgments and orders must be submitted to the Court at least five (5) business days in advance of the court date where you intend to take proofs. If the Judgment references a Confidential Settlement Agreement, the agreement must be submitted to the judge for her review via email at SavinChambers@oakgov.com by this deadline, as well. Opposing counsel must be copied on this email. Requests to take proofs by Zoom will only be granted where the Court has reviewed documents in advance and will not be granted if the documents are not submitted as least five (5) business days before your Court date. Please allow the Court two (2) business days to review your final documents before contacting staff to request to take proofs by Zoom.

Other Documents Needed to Finalize a Divorce

In addition to the Judgment of Divorce, Uniform Child Support Order (if there are minor children), and Uniform Spousal Support Order (if spousal support is awarded), you must have a Record of Divorce and a Judgment Information Form (if there are minor children or a spousal support order) completed and filed.

Motion Call

Effective September 6, 2023, the Court will conduct a Hybrid Motion call where most motions will be held in person in the Courthouse and some limited types of motions will be held via Zoom videoconference. See this FAQ (and make the “this FAQ” a hyperlink to the PDF) for more information about whether the motion is likely to be held in person or via videoconference. 

The Court schedules specific times for each case scheduled to see the Judge for Motion Call. Notice will be sent out through the Mi-File system, or by US mail if a self-represented party is not registered with the Mi-File system. When parties are set to first meet with the Friend of the Court, they may email the notice if they have this information in their records. All parties are encouraged to register with the Mi-File system for prompt notification of notices, pleadings, and orders. Parties and their counsel may also check Judge Savin’s calendar, accessible on this website, to check the time of their hearing. 

Motions Involving Children and the FOC:

Cases scheduled to be heard for Motion Call involving disputes regarding custody, parenting time, and support will be required to meet with the Friend of the Court Referee and/or Custody and Parenting Time Specialist for a Pre-Motion Call Settlement Conference during the Motion Call at the Courthouse. Some other matters will be referred by Judge Savin to the FOC at the judge’s discretion. FOC staff will send a notice with your assigned meeting time. You will need to check in with Judge Savin’s Clerk in Courtroom 3B just prior to your meeting time. If the matter does not resolve following the FOC conference, you will have the opportunity to select a time slot to have your matter heard by Judge Savin that morning.

Praecipes

To have your motion heard, you must file a Praecipe with the Case Management Office by 4:30 pm on the Wednesday prior to the date you wish your motion to be heard. You may file the Praecipe electronically here. Additions to the Motion Call will be permitted only under very exceptional circumstances and solely at the court's discretion.

Judge's Copy of Motions/Briefs

Parties must deliver a copy of their motion and brief, labeled "Judge's Copy" with the date the motion is set at the top of the first page, to chambers by 4:00 pm on the Thursday before the scheduled motion hearing date.

Responsive Pleadings

Parties must file any responsive pleadings by the Friday before the Wednesday motion call. A copy of the document, labeled "Judge's Copy" at the top of the first page, must also be delivered to chambers by the same deadline. Consistent with MCR 2.119(A)(2)(b), no reply, additional, or supplemental briefs shall be permitted absent express permission from the Court unless otherwise allowed in the Court Rules.

Orders Following Motion Hearing

Orders must be submitted for entry prior to the conclusion of Motion Call. Do not leave Motion Call without submitting an order. It is prudent to come to Motion Call with a proposed order.

Adjourning Motions

Only the moving party may adjourn their motion. The moving party is required to notify chambers and the opposing party of any adjournment by 4:00 pm the Tuesday before the motion is scheduled to be heard. If you adjourn your motion, you will need to deliver a new "Judge's Copy" of the motion as copies are not retained once a motion is removed from the Motion Call docket.

Abandoned Motions

Unless excused by the court, the moving party must appear for the motion. Failure to appear will result in dismissal of the motion and may result in a financial penalty consistent with MCR 2.119(E)(4). To withdraw or adjourn your motion, you must contact chambers by 4:00 pm the Tuesday before the motion is scheduled to be heard. Filing a re-Notice of Hearing or a re-Praecipe does not replace the need to contact Judge Savin’s chambers directly to inform the Court that you are withdrawing or adjourning your motion.

Emergency Motions

The court may consider an emergency motion at any time. The motion must state the reason for the request, including any exigent circumstances and the harm that could result if the matter were not addressed on an emergency basis. Emergency motions must be filed with the County Clerk's Office with a copy delivered directly to chambers and presented to one of the judge's clerks. It is the moving party's responsibility to clearly indicate to the clerk that the motion is an emergency and await further direction from the clerk.

Evidentiary Hearing

A party must file a motion to request an evidentiary hearing before the judge.

Signatures

Original signatures must appear on all orders. Electronic signatures are acceptable but must be done through software that ensures the authenticity of the electronic signature.

True Copies

As a courtesy, our clerks will provide up to four true copies of a signed order, or as many true copies as there are parties, whichever is greater, if extra copies are provided by the attorneys.

Returning Orders

The court will mail true copies of orders if self-addressed, stamped envelopes with sufficient postage are provided. Otherwise, the court will hold the copies in chambers for five (5) business days due to storage constraints. The court will discard all copies not picked up by that time.

Ex Parte Orders

All ex parte orders regarding custody, child support, or parenting time must include the language required pursuant to MCR 3.207(B)(5). All other ex parte orders must include the language required pursuant to MCR 3.207(B)(6).

Withdrawal/Substitution of Counsel

Stipulations for an order for withdrawal or substitution of counsel must include the signature of every party, or their attorney if represented by counsel, in addition to the client of the withdrawing attorney. A motion must be filed if an attorney wishes to withdraw as counsel within 30 days of a trial or evidentiary hearing date.

Pleading and document captions should include email addresses for counsel of record and/or self-represented parties, unless the self-represented party's contact information is confidential in the Friend of the Court's records.

Timeframe for Prisoner Participation

In order to have sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements, requests for a prisoner to participate by phone conference must be made to chambers at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing date, or as soon as practicable based on the participant's incarceration date.

Information Needed

In order for chambers to make arrangements for a prisoner to participate in a hearing remotely chambers must be provided information about where the prisoner is being held (i.e. an MDOC facility, Oakland County Jail, etc.), and the individual's correctly spelled name, date of birth, and identifying inmate number.

Adjournments

You must be present and prepared to start the proceeding on the scheduled trial or evidentiary hearing date unless the court has signed an order adjourning that trial or evidentiary hearing date in advance. Stipulated orders to adjourn must be submitted at least two full business days prior to the court date and must include the reason for the adjournment. Do not assume a request to adjourn a matter will be granted. Adjournment requests made less than two (2) business days prior will not be considered absent a medical emergency.

Stipulated Facts and Exhibits

Parties should narrow the issues in dispute prior to the date of the trial/evidentiary hearing. Parties are encouraged to present a list of stipulated facts and submit stipulated exhibits at the commencement of the proceeding.

Exhibits

All proposed exhibits should be marked prior to the trial/evidentiary hearing. Plaintiff shall label exhibits using numbers and Defendant shall label exhibits using letters. Proposed exhibits must be provided to the opposing party in advance of the trial/evidentiary hearing date consistent with the scheduling order. For in-person trials and evidentiary hearings, each party is responsible for providing every witness, party, and court staff member with their own individual copy of each proposed exhibit. In the event of a trial or evidentiary hearing conducted via Zoom video conference, screen sharing is prohibited and each party is responsible for providing physical copies of exhibits to all persons stated above in advance of the trial or hearing.

Settlements

Parties may place a settlement on the record without filing a motion by notifying the judge's clerk and requesting a hearing time with at least five (5) business days’ advance notice.

Taking Proofs for a Consent Judgment or Default Judgment

The Court requires sufficient time to review proposed judgments and orders prior to taking proofs. All judgments and orders must be submitted to the Court at least five (5) business days in advance of the court date where you intend to take proofs. If the Judgment references a Confidential Settlement Agreement, the agreement must be submitted to the judge for her review via email at SavinChambers@oakgov.com by this deadline, as well. Opposing counsel must be copied on this email. Requests to take proofs by Zoom will only be granted where the Court has reviewed documents in advance and will not be granted if the documents are not submitted as least five (5) business days before your Court date. Please allow the Court two (2) business days to review your final documents before contacting staff to request to take proofs by Zoom.

All parties and counsel must appear in court to place a settlement on the record unless Judge Savin’s staff has specifically informed the parties, or attorneys if represented by counsel, that only Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s counsel need appear after she has reviewed fully executed copies of all necessary documents (judgment, uniform support order(s), private settlement agreements, etc), and has determined there are no questions or concerns about the documents.

The following types of motions will be heard in person in the courthouse:

• All custody issues
• All parenting time issues
• All child support issues
• All spousal support issues
• All requests for temporary orders such as status quo, exclusive use of marital home, and restraining orders
• All pre- and post-judgment enforcement issues
• All Personal Protection Order motions

The following types of motions will continue to be heard via Zoom videoconference:

• Adjournments
• Amend, correct, or strike pleadings
• Attorney fees
• Discovery
• Motion in limine
• Name change petitions
• Withdrawal of attorney
• Entry of Default Judgment
• Entry of Consent Judgment
• Summary Disposition

* If you have multiple motions scheduled to be heard by Judge Savin on the same Motion Call and any issue would be set to be heard in person, then all the motions will be set to be heard in person.

The Court and Friend of the Court (FOC) will continue to assign each case a specific time slot for the motion(s) to be heard. Notice will be sent by the Judge’s staff through MiFile or US mail for unrepresented parties not signed up for MiFile. FOC may send notice through email, if you are meeting with FOC first and they have this information. The notice will include your time slot and whether you need to appear in person in Courtroom 3B or virtually through Zoom videoconference. The Motion Call calendar, including assigned times and whether the case will be heard in person or by Zoom will be posted on Judge Savin’s electronic calendar on her website.

In person Motion Call will be conducted entirely in the Oakland County Circuit Court, 1200 N. Telegraph, Pontiac, Michigan 48341. All parties and attorneys will check in with Judge Savin’s Clerk inside Courtroom 3B on the 3rd Floor of the Courthouse. If you are meeting with the Friend of the Court Referee and/or Custody and Parenting Time Specialist (CPTS), you will be given directions by Judge Savin’s Clerk how to check in with the Referee/CPTS and to wait in the Courtroom to meet with the FOC. Friend of the Court Staff will be in the Courthouse for their Pre-Motion Call Meetings.

After checking in, attorneys may sign out on the white board in the Courtroom to inform the Court where they will be if they are needed. Attorneys should remove their name from the white board when they return. Attorneys that need to appear before another judge via Zoom may utilize a dedicated Zoom Room, Zoom Pod, or the Jury Assembly Room. Zoom Rooms must be checked out through Colleen Glodich in Court Administration. Attorneys and parties are expected to be in the Courtroom at the time their case is scheduled to begin.

If you were unable to resolve the motion through meeting with your Referee and/or Custody and Parenting Time Specialist, then you will sign up for an open slot to see Judge Savin that morning. After you are done with the Friend of the Court, the parties’ attorneys (or the parties if they are self-represented) will be able to access a sign-up sheet held by the Judge’s Clerk to select an open time slot for that morning. The attorneys must work together to select a time slot where they will both be available.

The moving party to every motion must prepare an order based on either the parties’ agreement or the Judge’s oral ruling. Do not leave the Courtroom until your order is prepared and submitted to the Judge for signature. Both parties will be able to receive a true copy of the order before leaving. Practice tip: It is helpful to come to Motion Call with a proposed order to submit to the Court.

You may submit any other questions about the motion call via email to SavinChambers@oakgov.com or call Judge Savin’s Chambers at (248)858-5285. Please keep in mind that court staff cannot answer questions about the substance of a motion or provide legal advice.