Eric was born in Detroit in 1963 and was raised in the metropolitan-Detroit area, where he attended public schools.  He attended the University of Michigan, where he earned his B.A. and graduated with distinction in 1986. He received his J.D. from the Ohio State University College of Law in 1989, while working evenings as a mediator for the Columbus City Attorney's Office. Upon graduating law school, and while he prepared for the Michigan Bar Examination, Eric worked for the civic agency, New Detroit, Inc.  In September 1989, he was hired to work at the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office.

     Outside of work, Eric and his family are committed members of the Ann Arbor community. Eric, his wife Jennifer Charnizon, and their two sons, Jonah and Daniel, are active in the Ann Arbor Public Schools, Community Rec & Ed, the YMCA, Temple Beth Emeth, and enjoy all of the benefits Ann Arbor city life offers. Eric and his family especially enjoy spending time with their neighbors and the other people they have met throughout their years in this community.  Eric spends some of his free time playing Rec & Ed softball and soccer with friends and coaching youth sports.