Aaron Savit: A Career in Law and Public Prosecution
From the highest courts in the United States to the front lines of local governance, Aaron Savit has built a legal career defined by a transition from elite private practice to systemic public service. His trajectory reflects a deep engagement with public interest litigation—legal action taken to protect the rights of the public or specific marginalized groups—and a commitment to reforming the American criminal justice system.
Legal Foundations and Early Career
Savit's professional journey began with prestigious clerkships, serving as a law clerk for Judge Carlos T. Bea on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Judge David S. Tatel on the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. He further honed his skills as a litigator at the Washington, D.C. firm Williams & Connolly.
The pinnacle of his early academic and professional training was his selection as a law clerk for the United States Supreme Court, where he served under Justices Sandra Day O'Connor (ret.) and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Public Service in Detroit
After his time at the Supreme Court, Savit returned to Michigan, initially working as an associate at the Jones Day law firm in Detroit. He later transitioned into the public sector as senior legal counsel in the Detroit Mayor's Office, where he focused on high-impact lawsuits against the opioid industry and tax-delinquent corporate landlords.
During his tenure in Detroit, Savit played a pivotal role in Gary B. v. Snyder, a successful lawsuit establishing that Detroit schoolchildren were denied their fundamental right to literacy. He also served as the mayor's education advisor and led criminal justice reform initiatives.
Savit's administrative achievements include negotiating a $48 million community benefits agreement with the Canadian government in 2017 for the Gordie Howe International Bridge, targeting environmental remediation and job training in Southwest Detroit. Additionally, in 2018, he settled a case with the ACLU to prevent home foreclosures across the city.
Academic Contributions and Advocacy
Beyond his practice, Savit is a lecturer at the University of Michigan Law School, teaching state and local government and public interest litigation. His scholarly work appears in the Michigan Law Review and the Michigan Journal of Law Reform, and he has written for major outlets including the New York Times, Slate, and The Hill.
His advocacy extends to civil rights, having contributed to an ACLU amicus brief for the Michigan Supreme Court and testifying before the Michigan Civil Rights Commission to help establish that state law prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
Washtenaw County Prosecuting Attorney
Savit was sworn in as the Washtenaw County Prosecuting Attorney on January 2, 2021. Upon taking office, he implemented a series of bold policy shifts aimed at reducing racial disparities and prioritizing community health over incarceration.
Criminal Justice and Bail Reform
On January 4, 2021, Savit made Washtenaw County the first prosecutor's office in Michigan to stop relying on cash bail. He argued that pre-trial detention should be based on the threat a person poses to the community rather than their financial status.
Drug Policy and Public Health
Savit shifted the office's approach to substance use by declining to prosecute the use, possession, or small-scale distribution of marijuana and entheogenic plants (psychedelic plants). He also ceased charging the unauthorized possession of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder, citing evidence that such prosecutions often lead individuals back to more dangerous drugs like fentanyl.
Sex Work and Human Trafficking
In January 2021, Savit announced that his office would no longer prosecute consensual sex work. This strategic shift was designed to encourage survivors of trafficking and sex workers to report crimes without fear of prosecution, allowing the office to focus on sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Transparency and Legal Challenges
Savit launched the "Prosecutor Transparency Project" in partnership with the ACLU and the University of Michigan Law School to identify and publicize racially disparate treatment within the justice system.
His tenure has not been without controversy. In May 2024, he filed felony charges against four University of Michigan pro-Palestine protestors for allegedly assaulting police; these cases eventually resulted in diversion programs or misdemeanor pleas. Furthermore, in April 2026, the Trump administration sued Savit and other officials over a county resolution restricting federal agents from entering county-owned buildings.
Key Facts
- Supreme Court Experience: Clerked for Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
- Bail Reform: First Michigan prosecutor to eliminate the use of cash bail.
- Public Health: Decriminalized the prosecution of buprenorphine and entheogenic plants.
- Community Impact: Negotiated a $48 million agreement for the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
- Academic Role: Lecturer at the University of Michigan Law School.
| Period/Year | Role/Action | Key Achievement/Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Early Career | Law Clerk | Served on 9th Circuit, D.C. Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Court |
| Detroit Tenure | Senior Legal Counsel | Litigated for student literacy and secured $48M community benefit |
| Jan 2021 | Prosecuting Attorney | Eliminated cash bail in Washtenaw County |
| Jan 2021 | Prosecuting Attorney | Ceased prosecution of consensual sex work and buprenorphine |
| May 2024 | Prosecuting Attorney | Filed charges against University of Michigan protestors |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Savit's cash bail policy?
Savit's policy made Washtenaw County the first in Michigan to stop seeking cash bail, ensuring that a person's wealth does not determine whether they remain jailed pending trial.
Why did Savit stop prosecuting buprenorphine possession?
He cited research showing that prosecuting this opioid-treatment drug often causes patients to relapse into using more dangerous substances like heroin and fentanyl.
What was the goal of the Prosecutor Transparency Project?
The project, a partnership with the ACLU and University of Michigan Law School, aims to use data to identify and publicly address racial disparities in the justice system.
How did Savit handle the prosecution of sex work?
He shifted the office's focus away from consensual sex work to prioritize the prosecution of human trafficking, sexual assault, and the exploitation of children.
What was the outcome of the pro-Palestine protest charges?
Of the four protestors charged with assaulting police, two entered a diversion program and two pled down to misdemeanors.