Gregory Ellis "Greg" Mathis (born April 5, 1960) is a retired Michigan 36th District Court judge and syndicated television show arbiter on the long-running reality courtroom show Judge Mathis. The program has been on the air since 1999 and is currently into its 17th season as of September 7, 2015. Mathis boasts the longest reign of any African American presiding as a court show judge, beating out Judge Joe Brown whose program lasted 15 seasons.