About Julie
Julie A. Gafkay is an attorney based in Frankenmuth, Michigan, bringing over 30 years of diverse legal experience to her practice. Her expertise spans personal injury, business law, employment law, estate planning, probate, civil rights, and elder law. Gafkay was admitted to the Michigan State Bar in 1995, starting a distinguished legal career. Two years later, in 1997, she gained admission to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, adding to her legal reach. In April 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Gafkay to the Saginaw County Circuit Court bench, filling the vacancy left by Judge Janet M.
Boes. This appointment underscored her reputation as a skilled legal professional and her commitment to serving the community. Prior to her judicial role, she owned a successful law firm in Saginaw County for over 20 years. Her practice specialized in civil rights, employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act, alongside personal injury cases. Gafkay’s experience in these areas gave her a robust understanding of the complexities involved in legal disputes. Gafkay has been actively involved in various professional organizations throughout her career. She served as president of both the Saginaw County Bar Association and the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan.
Her leadership roles reflect her dedication to advancing the legal profession and supporting fellow attorneys. Additionally, she has been a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and has contributed to the Character and Fitness Committee of the State Bar of Michigan. Her involvement in the Committee on Local Rules for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan highlights her commitment to improving legal processes at multiple levels. Throughout her career, Gafkay has received numerous accolades that recognize her contributions to the legal field. In 2019, she was honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a Michigan Women in the Law honoree. That same year, she received the Champion of Justice award from the State Bar of Michigan, further solidifying her status as a leader in the legal community.
In 2022, she was awarded the Margaret Louise Rorke Leadership Award from the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan – Great Lakes Bay Region, acknowledging her significant impact on women in law. Gafkay earned her Juris Doctor from Whittier Law School and her Bachelor’s degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University. She has also shared her knowledge as an adjunct professor at Saginaw Valley State University and as an instructor in employment law at the National Business Institute. As of February 2026, Judge Gafkay continues to serve on the Saginaw County Circuit Court, applying her extensive legal expertise to benefit the community and uphold justice.
