Born in
Detroit,
Michigan, Zatkoff received a
Bachelor of Science from the
University of Detroit (now
University of Detroit Mercy) in 1962 and a
Juris Doctor from
Detroit College of Law (now
Michigan State University College of Law) in 1966. He was an assistant prosecuting attorney of
Macomb County, Michigan in 1966. He was in private practice in Detroit, Michigan from 1966 to 1968, and in
Roseville, Michigan from 1968 to 1978, also serving as a member of the faculty of
Detroit College of Law from 1968 to 1969, and as an associate government appeal agent for the
Selective Service Administration from 1969 to 1972. He was a judge on the Macomb County Probate Court from 1978 to 1982, and on the Macomb County Circuit Court from 1982 to 1986. ==Federal judicial service==