Judge Mark Somers has served as a judge of the 19th District Court in Dearborn since January 1, 2003, having been elected to four consecutive six-year terms (2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020). His tenure includes serving as the court’s Chief Judge for six of those years and Chief Pro Tem an additional six years.

He came to the bench well-prepared following nearly 20 years of general practice, providing 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.

With a focus on court-supervised rehabilitation and treatment for individuals with substance use disorders, Judge Somers has been a member of the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals since 2004 and his service to the community includes ten years as presiding judge of Dearborn's drug court.

The judge was born in St. Johns, Michigan, spending his youth in both Michigan and in India where his parents served as missionaries in agricultural and educational programs. He is a graduate of James Madison College and the Honors College at Michigan State University where he was elected to membership in both the Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. He has been married to his wife Jennie since 1978 and they have made Dearborn their home since 1980 when he entered law school at Wayne State University. The Somers have two children and four grandchildren.