Phone Directory

Eric F. Cyman is the Court Administrator for the 61^st District Court, appointed by the Judges in 2024. The administrator’s primary role is to facilitate the administrative functions of the court under the general guidance of the chief judge. In overseeing all non-judicial functions, Eric has a responsibility to identify and implement initiatives that increase the public’s understanding of the judicial system and to ensure that the independence of the judiciary is maintained while cultivating relationships with the other branches of government and stakeholders.

Eric has 28 years of experience working for the judiciary, a career that began as a part-time file clerk. He gained extensive knowledge in court operations while working in local, state, and federal courts, including the Court of Appeal, First Appellate District in San Francisco, California.

Prior to serving the Grand Rapids community, Eric held leadership positions, including Chief Deputy Clerk for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of California, before returning home to Michigan to serve as Court Administrator for the 19^th District Court in Dearborn. Eric earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Portland State University.

Daniel Fischer serves as Deputy Court Administrator for the 61st District Court in Grand Rapids. In this role, he provides executive oversight of the court’s probation department, problem-solving courts, alternative sentencing programs, and drug lab operations, while also managing the court’s annual budget and compliance with state and federal grant funding. His work focuses on strengthening operational workflows, aligning court programs with national best-practice standards, and ensuring financial accountability and transparency in partnership with City leadership and community stakeholders.

Daniel has served the 61st District Court since 2009 and has held roles across court operations, alternative sentencing, and finance. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Court Administrator, he led the court’s financial operations and spent nearly a decade directing alternative sentencing programs, where he used data-driven approaches to improve outcomes and expand access to community resources. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Grand Valley State University and is currently completing the Certified Court Manager program through the National Center for State Courts’ Institute for Court Management.

Sarah Breen serves as Clerk of the Court for the 61^st District Court. Promoted to the position in 2021, Sarah is responsible for the overall operations of the clerk’s office, including establishing procedures, managing workflows, and ensuring consistent, efficient service to the public, the bench, and justice partners. The main responsibility of the district court Clerk of the Court is to serve as the court’s official recordkeeper, ensuring that all court proceedings are accurately documented, lawfully processed, and accessible in accordance with statute and court rule.

Sarah has served the 61st District Court since 2017, following earlier work with at-risk youth and the Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to her appointment as Clerk of the Court, she led a team of deputy court clerks in the criminal department, managed the court’s jury operations, and oversaw criminal and traffic case flow management. Sarah is a graduate from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She earned her Certified Court Management certification from the Certified Court Manager program through the National Center for State Courts’ Institute for Court Management in 2023 and has since served as an educator for the Court Support Staff Certification Training. Sarah was also appointed to serve on the Michigan Court Administration Association Board of Directors in 2026.