About Julie
Julie A. Gafkay is an attorney primarily based in Frankenmuth, Michigan, bringing over 30 years of diverse legal knowledge to her practice. Her expertise spans personal injury, business law, employment law, property planning, estate administration, legal rights, and elder law. Gafkay used to be admitted to the Michigan State Bar in 1995, beginning a distinguished legal career. Two years later, in 1997, she gained admission to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, including to her legal attain. 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 popularity as a professional attorney and her commitment to serving local residents. Prior to her judicial position, she owned a profitable regulation company in Saginaw County for over 20 years. Her practice specialized in civil rights, workplace 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 a number of professional organizations over the course of 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 commitment 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 within the Committee on Local Rules for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan highlights her dedication to improving legal processes at multiple ranges. Throughout her career, Gafkay has received numerous accolades that recognize her contributions to the area of law. In 2019, she used to be honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a Michigan Women in the Law honoree. That identical yr, she received the Champion of Justice award from the State Bar of Michigan, in addition solidifying her standing 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 effect on girls in law. Gafkay earned her law degree 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 labor law on the National Business Institute. As of February 2026, Judge Gafkay continues to serve at the Saginaw County Circuit Court, applying her in depth legal know-how to benefit the community and uphold justice.
