Judge Rosemarie Aquilina is most notable for presiding over the 2018 USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal and sentencing Larry Nassar to up to 175 years in prison. She has many additional notable accomplishments, to include being featured in documentaries including Teen Torture, Inc. for HBO/MAX; Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit; and At The Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal. Judge Aquilina also had a TEDxMSU talk released in 2024 titled Fear: The Door To Success.

Judge Aquilina is a regular guest/legal commentator on Dr. Phil and in 2023 served as a regular legal commentator on NewsNation. She recently founded a specialty Juvenile Weapons Court and is the founder of Warriors Affirmations, producing puzzles and cards for survivors of all types of trauma. She is an author of fiction and nonfiction. Her most recent nonfiction, Car Wash Art & Daily Affirmations created a new genre. Her memoir, Just Watch Me, was inspired at the request of Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine in partnership with Audible. All Rise, Triple Cross Killer, and Feel No Evil are thrillers with additional nonfiction and fiction publications on the horizon.

Judge Aquilina proposes legislation to make the justice system better and testifies before state legislatures on important issues including testifying in Canada before Parliament. She speaks worldwide on human rights issues and is a motivational speaker on topics that include the justice system; safety; preserving evidence; handling high profile cases; giving voice to victims; the power and control of predators and recognizing grooming, gaslighting, and ghosting; demanding informed consent, trusting your gut, and other important, timely and relevant issues.

She was elected to the 30^th Circuit Court for Ingham County in November of 2008. Previously, she served as a 55^th District Court Judge for 4 years, during which time she served as Chief Judge and Sobriety Court Specialty Judge.

Judge Aquilina retired Honorably from the Michigan Army National Guard after twenty years of service. She became part of Michigan’s history by becoming the first female JAG Officer in the Michigan Army National Guard when she enlisted. Ultimately, she became one of the most requested JAG Officers because of her dedication to service and the soldiers she served with.

Judge Aquilina began her legal career serving as the Administrative Assistant to State Senator John F. Kelly for ten years. Thereafter, she partnered with Senator Kelly in a successful lobbying firm, Strategic Governmental Consultants, PLLC. At the same time, she opened Aquilina Law Firm, PLC, which grew to become very successful and which resulted in her becoming the host of Ask the Family Lawyer, which became syndicated.

Throughout her career, Judge Aquilina has given back to the community in numerous ways and has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Board of Water and Light and the City of Lansing Elected Officers Compensation Commission. She currently serves as a mentor for the State Bar of Michigan Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program.

Judge Aquilina is an adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School where she enjoys teaching classes including Family Law, Advanced Trial Practice-Family Law, Legislative Process, Defending Battered Women, Animal Law, Child Abuse and Neglect, Elder Law, and Military Law. Cooley Law School awarded Judge Aquilina the distinguished Griffen Award for Teaching Excellence. She is also an adjunct professor at Michigan State University School of Law teaching numerous classes in the Feiger Trial Practice Institute to include Criminal Trial Practice, Civil Trial Practice, Trial Practicum, Criminal Law, and Criminal Procedure in the JD and LLM programs. Michigan State University honored Judge Aquilina with the College of Law Student Bar Association Adjunct Faculty Award for exceptional teaching.

Judge Aquilina earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1984 and her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Michigan State University in 1979. She has five children and two grandchildren and resides in East Lansing, Michigan.