MARQUETTE — Karl Numinen, a trial lawyer and senior partner of the firm Numinen, DeForge & Toutant, PC., in Marquette, was appointed Tuesday to replace Johnny DePetro on the Marquette County Board of Commissioners.

Numinen. well-known in legal circles, will have to will have to run as a candidate for county commissioner-district one in the 2026 election cycle and be elected if he wishes to retain the position. DePetro resigned in September after 11 years on the board, citing, among other things, health concerns.

The county board of commissioners is a four-year term and the elections are on the same cycle as the presidential elections. The Marquette County BOC set the current salary for county commissioner for this term (2024-2028) at $8,000 per year. 

Commissioner district one comprises the following: Marquette city precincts three and four (from the city boundary, to north of Wright Street, to East of Lincoln Avenue, to South of Fair Avenue, to east of McClellan Avenue, to north of Washington Street, to east of Fourth Street, to north of Fisher Street, to east of Front Street, to north of Whetstone Brook.) 

According to his website, Numinen’s practice has focused on criminal defense and courtroom litigation for over 30 years. He is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and has been recognized as one of Michigan’s top lawyers by Best Lawyers in America®, Super Lawyers® and Leading Lawyers® magazine.

He is recognized as a preeminent attorney with an “AV Rating” by Martindale-Hubbell. He is a past President of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan and has served on its board of directors for many years.

He is also a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He currently serves as a member of the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly.

Bud Sargent can be reached at 906-228-2500, extension 544. His email address is bsargent@miningjournal.net.