Jenny Johnsen Sarber has the qualities to be an excellent circuit court judge. She is experienced, competent, empathetic, and most importantly, fair to everyone.” – Hon.
Steven M. Pestka (Ret.) Qualifications and Experience: Professional Background: Family law attorney since 2003, practicing in Kent County for 15 years.
Founding partner of a reputable and highly successful family law firm since 2006. Elected member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Family Law Council since 2016.
Co-chair of the Family Law Council’s Court Rules and Professional Ethics Committee.
Named one of Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers (Family Law) in 2019 and 2020. Named a Super Lawyer in Family Law in 2020.
Endorsed as Highly Recommended by Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. Rated Well Qualified by the Grand Rapids Bar Association Judicial Review Committee.
Endorsed by the Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ).
Importance of Family Law: Family law is unique due to the high stakes involved, such as parents' rights to raise their children, children's rights to grow up in safe environments, and helping troubled youth find their potential. Selecting a family division judge for the 17th Circuit Court requires a commitment to applying the law fairly, patiently, and with compassion.
Jenny Johnsen Sarber, running for judge in 2020, embodies these qualities.
Jenny’s personal experience as a pre-teen during her parents' divorce and her 17 years of family law practice, including 15 years in Kent County, provide her with a deep understanding of the challenges families face in the court system. Her childhood experience with divorce has significantly influenced her career path.
Starting her career at Legal Services of South Central Michigan in Battle Creek, Jenny co-founded a domestic violence divorce clinic and worked on various legal issues, including divorce, custody, personal protection orders, public benefits, and landlord-tenant disputes. In 2005, she moved to Grand Rapids and co-founded the law firm Johnsen Wikander PC with Erica Wikander in 2006.
Despite economic challenges, they built a successful and highly-regarded family law practice. Jenny has been a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Family Law Council since 2016, co-chairing the Court Rules and Ethics Committee.
This committee has significantly improved Michigan's discovery rules, professional conduct standards, and introduced new sections for collaborative divorce and alternative dispute resolution processes.
In 2011 and 2012, Jenny underwent training in collaborative divorce and mediation, integrating these practices into her work. She also co-owns Rapid QDRO, LLC, which drafts qualified domestic relations orders for transferring retirement benefits in divorce cases.
Despite her professional dedication, Jenny values family above all. Her husband, Bryce, is an artist and remodeler.
Their daughter, Scarlett, loves basketball and Harry Potter, and their son, Tristan, enjoys ghost-hunting and golf. Jenny is also a stepparent to Brett, who is pursuing a degree in criminal justice, and Hailey, an artist and new mom to grandson Everett.