MEMBER VOIR DIRE - PRESTON PIETSZAK (ALLEGAN)

BY AGNES JURY (MASON)

For this edition of the newsletter, we are pleased to introduce Referee Preston Pietszak.

At 32 years old, Referee Preston Pietszak has already built a career marked by steady growth, intellectual curiosity, and a deep sense of responsibility to the families who appear before him. A graduate of Michigan State University, where he earned dual degrees in History and Criminal Justice, Preston went on to obtain his law degree from Wayne State University in 2018. Shortly after, he began his legal career at the Allegan County Circuit Court as a law clerk. His dedication and steady competence led to promotions—first to Staff Attorney, and ultimately to his current role as Domestic Relations Referee with the Friend of the Court.

​Preston speaks openly about the responsibility he feels in his position. “I really do take all of the cases seriously,” he says. “I care very much about making a good decision.” In a system that can sometimes feel overwhelming or impersonal to litigants, he is mindful that his role carries real consequences for real families. One of his proudest professional moments came after a hearing in which both parties thanked him for helping them better understand the process and improve their parenting time situation. They even requested that their case remain before him. “I never thought anyone would say something like that to me,” he reflects. “It made me feel pretty good.” For Preston, that moment reinforced the impact of patience, clarity, and care in the courtroom.

Raised by parents Kimberly and Stephan Pietszak, Preston fondly recalls a childhood camping field trip chaperoned by his father—an experience that stands out as one of his happiest memories. Today, his family includes his sister Prezley, who is pursuing her doctorate in Chicago, and Buddy, his six-year-old lab mix whom he describes as “the sweetest dog in the world.”
 
Outside the courtroom, Preston is equal parts classicist and enthusiast. He treasures his early 1900s copies of Edgar Allan Poe’s complete works and is currently reading through Robert Frost. He is a devoted fan of the original 1954 Godzilla film (a detail that surprises many) and enjoys building model kits—much to the playful frustration of his girlfriend, who notes they tend to take up quite a bit of space. His tastes in music lean toward 1950s and 60s Motown, and his ideal hangout spot is a Michigan State Park.
 
Preston is reflective by nature. He admits he tends to overthink (“Everything worries me”), yet his guiding principle is simple: Try not to repeat yesterday’s mistakes. If he could speak to his 16-year-old self, he would encourage taking public speaking courses—never imagining then that he would one day preside over hearings full-time. If given a superpower, he’d choose flight—not just for convenience, but as a way to confront his fear of heights.
 
When asked what he hopes people understand about his work, his answer is straightforward and sincere: he cares. He wants litigants to know that behind the bench is someone who is trying—earnestly—to reach fair and thoughtful outcomes.
 
If money were no object, he might trade his Ford Escape for a 1960s Mustang. If given the opportunity to travel anywhere, Japan is next on his list. If he could have dinner with three historical figures, it would be Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X—leaders whose courage and convictions shaped history.
 
And when looking far into the future—age 90 and beyond—Preston hopes for something simple: to be at home, surrounded by loving family and friends. As for what he would want carved onto his tombstone?
“That I cared and did my best.”
 
Please join us in welcoming Referee Preston Pietszak. We look forward to getting to know him better.