Author: ctaylor1

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Franklin County Domestic Relations – Juvenile Court (7 years and 2 months)

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I owned/managed a multi-line insurance company for 16 years. I hired, trained and retained qualified staff. I negotiated contracts for space, telephones, computers, advertisement for my agency.

As a Franklin County Public Defender and in my own practice, Jamison Law Offices, I represented accused persons during criminal and juvenile delinquency investigative proceedings, such as, attended police line-ups and monitored physical examinations, DNA collection, (finger-nail scraping and blood, urine), and DNA testing; interviewed witnesses and gathered facts to prepare the client’s defense; drafted motions to set bail hearings and arranged posting of bond to allow the client to be conditionally released pending trial; represented accused persons in all court appearances leading to trial in felony, misdemeanor and traffic cases and domestic cases; drafted motions for pretrial discovery and suppression; appeared at pretrial conferences with judges and prosecutors to find common ground and negotiated deals; conducted voir dire in jury selection, made opening statements, examined witnesses, presented evidence to judges and juries, and made closing arguments at the conclusion of trial; conducted legal research to prepare for court appearances; and filed notice of appeal and drafted appellate briefs and presented oral argument before the appellate court.

I was a hearing officer for the State of Ohio Unemployment Compensation Review Commission. i conducted administrative law hearings for both Lower Authority & Higher Authority, including hearings in complex areas of law to determine why an individual was separated from employment; determined whether an individual is entitled to unemployment benefits; explained hearing procedure & advises parties of their rights, administers oath & oversees taking of testimony, secures stipulations, answers questions, interprets policy and procedure, rules on motions and objections, and determines admissibility of evidence; conducted legal research in preparation for hearings (e.g., reviews all materials from the Lower Authority proceedings & Director’s files & all additional documents & exhibits, ensures that parties & issues are correctly identified & notified), confers with parties regarding scheduling & continuances, authorizes issuance of subpoenas; and wrote decisions (e.g., reviews evidence, researches legal issues, types or dictates decisions).

I oversee a special program called Compass which I developed in 2014 in Collaborative Partnership with Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency. Compass connects Unemployed Child Support Obligors with Community Partners for Education, Resume Building, Job Training and Job Placement which has saved the community hundreds of thousands of dollars when litigants are not incarcerated.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
The Court of Appeals is a court of last resort for most litigants. Fairness, access to justice, protection of the Constitutional Rights of litigants is paramount. Issuing non-biased opinions is critical when your decisions affect every court in the County. Franklin County has a diverse population and the court should reflect the population that it serves not only in race or ethnicity. The Court needs to have judges that bring diverse work and legal experiences to be more able to understand the legal arguments before the Court.

The Court of Appeals also handles actions that require governmental agencies to act or to refrain from acting, particularly in elections. Access to fair elections is before this Court regularly. Access to fair elections not only comprises the right to vote but the right of candidates to be on the ballot. Access to the ballot gives the voters the right to select their office holders. Franklin County is the seat of government and the opinions issued can be persuasive to other appellate divisions across the State of Ohio.

Franklin County has unique population makeup and as such will have unique questions of law. The Court has the obligation to be a check and balance on the power of the Legislative Branch. The judicial interpretation of the law must be consistent and non-discriminatory. I bring knowledge of the law, and particularly of trial law, as I have had numerous jury trials in various counties. I have used my strong interpersonal skills to effectively oversee complex cases involving adversarial lawyers and powerful emotions among all concerned parties in Domestic and Juvenile Court. I am impartial and use the skill of being able to recognize my own prejudices so that I am not unduly swayed by them. Any person that says they have no implicit bias has bias that is unchecked.

My years of experience as a small business owner have assisted me in understanding the division of assets/liabilities and the tax ramifications. I have worked within a corporate structure and understand how dissolution of companies impacts the parties taxes and personal lives. All decisions in Domestic Juvenile Court are written. I bring strong research and writing skills to the Court of Appeals where decisions should be easily understood even by a lay person. I am the person to give an opportunity to be heard to every litigant that appears before me.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
11 years – Seneca County Juvenile and Probate Judge

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
Prior to my service on the bench, I was a practicing lawyer for 12 years. My experience was diverse and included time as an Assistant County Prosecutor as well as a private practitioner. My passion for working with youth stems from my upbringing. I was blessed to grow up with seven foster sisters and saw first hand the profound affect the juvenile court system can have on at-risk youth. My passion and interest in probate stemmed from my over nine years of experience practicing in the probate area. My combined personal and professional experiences positioned me well to serve Seneca County’s as juvenile and probate judge.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
This has been and continues to be my dream job. No court in Seneca County has a greater impact on the at-risk population in our area. The Probate and Juvenile Court is uniquely positioned to provide direction and protection to our youth, our disabled and our elderly. It is an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Seneca County.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
I have been a judge in the General Division of the Common Please Court since 1997. In addition to my regular civil and criminal docket, I established an Adult Felony Drug Court in 1998, and continue to preside over that docket. (It was the third drug court created in the State of Ohio, and has been recognized as a mentor court by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals).

I have served as the Chair of the Ohio Judicial Conference and as an officer of the Ohio Judicial College. I currently serve as co-chair of the Ethics and Professionalism Committee for the Ohio Judicial Conference. I was appointed by Chief Justice Thomas Moyer to serve on a Task Force that revised the Code of Judicial Conduct in Ohio, and was appointed by Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor to serve on a Task Force examining Court Funding. I currently serve on the state team for the Regional Judicial Opioid Initiative (RJOI), and was the only judge nominated by Chief Justice O’Connor to attend a conference at the National Judicial College sponsored by the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry that promotes the cultivation of law and medicine for individuals involved in the justice system who suffer from a substance-use disorder.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I was an assistant prosecutor for the City of Youngstown, and was also in private practice for 13 years. I handled almost every case that is seen in the General division of the Common Pleas Court, including personal injury, medical malpractice jury trials, and was certified by the Ohio Supreme Court as First Chair in Death Penalty Litigation. I also served as counsel for the Mahoning County Children Services Board, handling matters involving abuse, neglect and dependency. Although those cases are not handled in the General Division, it gave me a great understanding that substance-use disorder does not only impact the individual, but also the entire family.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am very proud of the work that I have done since taking the bench over 22 years ago, and candidly, I enjoy this job as much today as i did when I first took the bench. The best part of my job is being able to witness the transformation of individuals who embrace recovery; to move from an absolute place of hopelessness to the realization that anything is possible.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Licking County Municipal Court, 1991-2003; Licking County Common Pleas Court 2003-2020

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
varied legal experience useful in Common Pleas court, with its variety of cases; lived in the community all my life.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I want to continue to work to see justice administered fairly and equally for all in our community.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
I have not been a Judge or Magistrate.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I feel I am qualified to be a judge due to my lengthy litigation career in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and Schraff Thomas Law, LLC. I litigated over 125 trials and thousands of felony matters in Common Pleas Court as an assistant prosecuting attorney. In 2011, I was promoted to our Major Trial Unit. As a Major Trial Prosecutor, I was responsible for prosecuting the most serious and complex cases in Cuyahoga County including Murder, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking matters.

Furthermore, in 2019, I joined the Estate Planning and Probate Litigation Firm of Schraff Thomas Law, LLC. As an attorney at Schraff Thomas Law, LLC, I have had the opportunity to litigate complex civil matters in courts throughout Northeast Ohio.

I believe this wide variety of criminal and civil experience makes me uniquely qualified for the position of Common Pleas Judge.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am running for Judge to continue my history of public service and to make a greater impact on our community. Throughout my legal career, I have tried to make an impact within our community so that our fellow citizens can feel the justice system works for their neighborhoods, families, and themselves.

As I spend time litigating in court, I have recognized a need for highly competent judges that will work to make sure our community and its citizens receive ethical and fair treatment. I hope to bring to the court a sense of fairness and empathy, treating all who come before me with respect. I will diligently work to ensure matters are resolved in a timely fashion valuing punctuality and deadlines.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
2003-2007: Staff Attorney and Magistrate for Hon. Sara Lioi (Stark County Court of Common Pleas-General Division) 2007-2013: Staff Attorney and Magistrate for Hon. V. Lee Sinclair (Stark County Court of Common Pleas-General Division) 2013-Current: Judge of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas (General Division)

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
Prior to working with the Court, I was an Assistant Prosecutor with the Alliance Law Director’s Office (2001-2003). During my time as an Assistant Prosecutor, I conducted multiple hearings, including Court and Jury Trials, on behalf of the State of Ohio/City of Alliance. That experience gave me first-hand knowledge of the struggles faced by attorneys during litigation and ways in which the Court can intervene and assist to make sure that each case and each litigant gets to have their “day in Court.” My experiences as a Staff Attorney and Magistrate were under the supervision of two very wise and seasoned Judges. From each of them, I have learned how to be fair, impartial, and efficient in running a Court docket.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
For the past 7 years, it has been my honor to serve the citizens of Stark County in a Judicial capacity. I have had the opportunity, especially while presiding over the Court’s Drug Court program, to help people change their lives around. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to help victims of crimes bring closure to the worst chapters in their lives. All of this has truly been rewarding. I am running to retain my seat on the bench to continue this positive work and to make sure that all litigants are treated fairly and respectfully.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
I began my judicial career in 1997 when I took the bench on the Seventh District Court of Appeals and have consistently served on this bench to the present day.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I began my legal career working as a lawyer for the City of Youngstown. I also served for several years as its acting Risk Manager. Because I had a degree in English Literature, I was hired to primarily handle all appellate work, both state and federal. In my years with the City, I handled hundreds of appeals, start to finish, in many appellate districts, the Ohio Supreme Court, the Sixth Circuit Federal Court, and I have filed in the U. S. Supreme Court. Additionally, I handled hearings and appeals for boards and commissions, worked in human relations, negotiated union contracts and advised the mayor and members of counsel.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I have spent over 20 years as an appellate judge. I am serving, once again, as the Presiding Judge of this court. I love appellate work, I love serving the people of the Seventh District, and I would be honored to continue to serve.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
My judicial experience is serving as Judge of Meigs Probate/Juvenile Divisions of the Court of Common Pleas since February 9th, 2003. I also served as the first Village of Pomeroy Magistrate. I have been appointed as a visiting judge by the Ohio Supreme Court in serve in Gallia County, Vinton County, Athens County, and Washington County. I have also substituted when requested for the Criminal Division of the Meigs County Court of Common Pleas over the past 17 years for numerous arraignments, conflicts, plea agreements, and the empaneling of grand juries. I also was recently entrusted with a special appointment by the Ohio Supreme Court to assist and manage the docket for Meigs County Court after the unfortunate and sudden death of Judge Steve Story.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I have been, am, and will be very active in the Meigs County communities through serving on various committees, my church, and helping the local schools any way that I can. I also serve on the board of directors, and as a past president of the board, at the Hocking Valley Community Residential Center in Nelsonville, Ohio, with over 12 other southeastern Ohio juvenile judges.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
It is a re-election of my current position and to continue to serve Meigs County.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Judge, 11th District Court of Appeal, August 2007 to present. Visiting Justice, Ohio Supreme Court, 4 occasions since 2009. Administrative and Presiding Judge 5 different years. Currently, Presiding Judge 11th District Court of Appeals.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
Prior to becoming judge, I had a very broad based law practice for 27 years. Since becoming judge in 2007, I have worked very hard to stay up to date on developments and changes in the law. The Lake County Bar Association, where I am known best, has been conducting a judicial poll since the 1970’s. At the time of completion of this form, they have not yet conducted their poll for 2020. However, in 2014, I was the first judge in the history of the poll to receive a 100% affirmative vote.

I have been asked on many occasions to lecture on a variety of topics. In fact, the Ohio Supreme Court has requested many times over the past few years that I come to help train the new appellate judges. I enjoy doing that, because each time I update my materials and prepare for the new judge orientation, I learn more about the current trends in the law.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I have been in this seat since August of 2007. I believe I become a better judge with each year that goes by. I have always had a love for the law. My father was an attorney for almost 50 years. We practiced law together for over 20 years. I understand the importance of the work we do, and the need for judges to resolve cases based on the law, and not some philosophical ideal of what we may individually believe.

I believe my willingness to lecture on topics related to our work, and the commitment to resolve cases in an efficient manner help in the quality of service we provide to litigants. I’ve been appointed to serve by assignment on the Ohio Supreme Court by three different Chief Justices. I believe my experience of serving in that capacity has helped my understanding of what should be expected of the courts of appeals.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
1997 through 2020, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations and Juvenile Division.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
As a practicing attorney for over a decade, I was active in the Columbus Bar Association (CBA) Family Law Committee and represented individuals of all walks of life, race, sexual identity and income levels. I had the good fortune of working with some very experienced, highly reputable and talented trial attorneys who taught me the correct way to try a case to a jury or judge. I had trials in front of juries in several counties and presented a thousand cases at administrative hearings throughout Ohio. Thus, I know what it means to be a good and fair judge, before I was ever elected, because frankly, I came across some judges that were neither.

I knew that having the proper temperament was important and I have lived up to that standard, mixing in humor when appropriate to reduce the tension in the courtroom. I worked hard and efficiently in private practice which translated into the same hard work on the bench. I had a breadth of experience from simple cases in small claims, to very complicated cases in common pleas and appellate courts. I learned that when a judge treats clients fairly and with respect, even if the case does not go their way, they respect the outcome and the judicial system. Litigants and attorneys dislike arrogance in judges and appreciate kindness, as we all should. Practicing in front of scores of judges throughout Ohio taught me a lot about judging, before I became one.

I have mentored high school and law school students. Maintaining a good reputation among peers has always been paramount, both on the bench and prior. I did pro bono work with the “Lawyers for Justice” CBA sub-committee and continue to be active with the CBA, welcoming new attorneys. I volunteered to serve on numerous committees for the Supreme Court of Ohio including the Guardian ad Litem Task Force and the Continuity of Operations Committee (Disaster Planning ) and have served as a panelist, for continuing educational purposes for both attorneys and judges.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I love my job and the challenges it presents. And the legal community strongly supports me in keeping it. That is why I am running to maintain my seat.

As the senior judge on our court and after two decades and over 100,000 cases, I still love what I do. It is a privilege to serve on the domestic relations and juvenile court bench where we get to help people who are often in difficult situations, solve their issues. I also want to continue projects that I spearheaded and oversee such as Family Recovery Court and Juvenile Recovery Court. In 2002 we created the first drug court in Franklin County, known now as Recovery Court. I have witnessed firsthand the scourge illegal opioids, heroin and fentanyl have inflicted on our families. Our voluntary but intensive program helps parents achieve and maintain sobriety so that their children can be returned to their care. Parents learn parenting skills through classes, must do random drug tests and counseling, are assisted in finding affordable housing (tremendously difficult in central Ohio) and are linked with other support systems. Juvenile Recovery Court started more recently. We are assisting non-violent teens in the juvenile system, achieve permanent sobriety and put them on the road to education and employment rather than on to a path of crime. The graduation ceremonies of our two recovery courts are the highlights of my year.

We also started a raised-bed garden on the concrete courtyard at the Juvenile Intervention Center. I plant alongside the youth detained there, colorful flowers, herbs and vegetables that truly brighten the space and at the same time provide the fixings for salsa when ripened! Most of the youth have never tasted a raw herb, dug a hole in the soil, or watched a plant grow.

As families break apart, spouses, parents and children want a judge with experience, knowledge and compassion. I believe the Columbus Bar Association’s annual rating of me which is based on the opinions of attorneys that practice in my court everyday, prove that I have those qualities. Thank you for taking the time to read about the judicial candidates. No one wants to be in court. It is stressful and expensive. But if you end up in court, you want an experienced, thoughtful individual handling your case. I respectfully ask for your vote November 3rd.