GROSSE POINTE WOODS — A third-generation Arab American who comes from a family of lawyers was sworn in as a Grosse Pointe Woods municipal court judge on Wednesday. He was elected to the part-time judicial post last November.

Grosse Pointe Woods Municipal Court Judge Ted Metry, elected last November, takes a ceremonial oath on Wednesday with the help of Michigan Appeals Court Judge Kirsten Frank Kelly, his wife Lillian Metry and his two daughters.                   PHOTO: Khalil AlHajal/TAAN

Theodore Metry, 42, is a grandson of Lebanese immigrants. His family has lived in the Grosse Pointes for 65 years and his father has practiced law in the area for 52 years.

Several other members of his family are lawyers, and two cousins serve from the bench — St. Clair Shores 40th Distrcit Court Magistrate Mark Metry and federal Administrative Law Judge Dean Metry.

Theodore “Ted” Metry said after his investiture ceremony Wednesday that he has 17 years of court experience handling criminal and civil cases in nearly every city in Wayne County. He said he hopes to bring everything he’s learned from judges throughout the region to the post.

“It’s an honor to put this robe on,” Metry said.

About 30 area judges and Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano attended the ceremony.

Father George Shalhoub of the Basilica of St. Mary in Livonia, who gave the invocation at the event, said later that it was inspiring to see accomplishment and positivity surrounding an Arab American at a time when bad news and ambivalence surround Arabs.

St. Clair Shores Judge Joe Oster said he has a long history with Metry and that he expects the new judge’s enthusiasm and sense of justice to serve the people who appear before him well.

“I know that as a judge, he will temper his decisions with mercy, humor and good will,” Oster said. “I’m sure even those who don’t prevail (before him in court) …will walk away saying ‘Well, at least he was fair.'”