Mark W. Somers joined a rather select judicial family on January 1, 2003, when he became only the ninth person to be honored with the title "Judge" in the 58-year history of the Dearborn court system. Somers earned a six-year term on the 19th District Court bench with his victory in the November 5, 2002 general election. He comes to his new job well prepared following nearly 20 years of general practice. During this span, Somers provided legal counsel and representation to clients in a broad range of civil and criminal matters in more than 40 state and federal courts and tribunals. Born in St. Johns in 1958, Somers spent his pre-adult years in both Michigan and India where his parents, George and Joyce Somers, served as missionaries. Shortly after his graduation from an American international high school in India, Somers returned to Michigan to attend the renowned James Madison residential college on the campus of Michigan State University. He graduated with honors, including membership in both the Phi Beta Kappa and the Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. Somers and his high school sweetheart, Jennie, have been married for 24 years. They chose to make Dearborn their home in 1980, shortly after he was admitted to Wayne State University Law School. The couple are active members of Dearborn First Methodist Church and the Dearborn Outer Drive Kiwanis Club. Jennie also works at United Airlines' reservation office in Dearborn. The Somers have two sons: Mark Warren II, 21, a student at Henry Ford Community College; and Edward William, 18, now completing his freshman year at the University of Notre Dame. Both are graduates of Dearborn High School.