Occupation: Trial Attorney Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office
Education: J.D. from the University of Cincinnati
Work Experience: Public Defender since 2012
Endorsements: Cincinnati Women’s Political Caucus: https://www.cincinnatiwomenspoliticalcaucus.org/2019-endorsements, Hamilton County Democratic Party, Equality Cincinnati PAC, Bold New Democracy
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I have a variety of non-judicial legal experiences that make my background more qualified for a judicial role than other candidates. I have worked in state government, participated in state-level budget decisions, edited parts of Ohio’s Administrative Code, worked with professionals from the Attorney General’s Office, the Ohio Supreme Court, Ohio Senate, Ohio House of Representatives, and all levels of court in Hamilton County. I have a passion for improving the justice system for everyone involved. Though I’ve spent my time as a public defender, I care deeply for the victims of crime as the populations of victims and defendants are often intertwined. I have worked to teach others about trauma-informed services, ending the cycle of abuse and trauma, and procedural justice. I work well on a team and believe that cooperation in the courthouse among judges is the pathway to progress and reform.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I have spent the majority of my career arguing cases in the Hamilton County Courthouse. I have seen where the system can fall short of serving its citizens-and how easily those missteps create havoc for people. Most of the Municipal Court judges on the bench right now were appointed or elected straight out of the prosecutor’s office. The prosecutor’s perspective is important, but other perspectives are necessary to make sure that the Court is well rounded. As a public defender, I work to make sure everyone’s rights are protected because no one has rights unless everyone has rights. I am running because I believe I can accomplish that goal on a greater scale as a Municipal Court Judge for District 5. I can ensure that everyone appearing before me is respected and heard; that includes victims, defendants, attorneys, and witnesses.
Education: Penn State University, Dickinson School of Law J.D.; Purdue University B.A., Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Work Experience: Conneaut Municipal Court Judge 2015 to present; Acting Municipal Court Judge 2005-1015; Cannon, Aveni & Malchesky, L.P.A. 2007-2015
Family: Divorced with three minor children (Isabelle, Julia, Oscar) and one adult child (Maximillian)
Affiliations: American Judges Association, Ohio Judicial Conference, Association of Municipal and County Judges, Northeast Ohio Municipal and County Judges Association, The Justinian Forum, Ohio State Bar Association, Ashtabula County Bar Association, Conneaut Rotary Club, Loyal Order of Moose, Sons of The American Legion #151, Conneaut Order of Elks, Amboy Rifle Club, and Corpus Christi Parish/Finance Council
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years): Conneaut Municipal Court Judge 2015-present; municipal court Acting Judge 2005-1015
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge? Like most good lawyers, I can share that in in my nearly 20 years of private practice prior to serving as Conneaut judge, I represented individuals and families in all sort of civil and criminal matters throughout Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Portage and Summit counties. That experience is important, but it is not what helps a lawyer be a great judge. After years in private practice, I came to realize that the best lawyers understand the importance of the ability to sit and listen to the pains and fears of their clients, and to respect the pains and fears of those litigants on the other side. I truly believe that understanding those pains and fear, helped me help my clients put lawyers and lawsuits behind them and start to reconstruct and move forward with their lives. I often think back on those experience as I have been serving as Conneaut judge. On a daily basis, I remind myself to sit and listen to those that appear in the Court. To let them really share with me what they feel and believe. That lets me make the best judgments – and sometimes those judgments sting. Often my decisions have to sting to keep the Conneaut community safe. Sometimes those decisions have to “hurt†to help the people that come before the Court become the best version of themselves. I, of course, cannot make everyone who comes before the Court happy, but I can be sure I took the time to really understand why they were before the Court. More than any one thing, learning to do my best to understand people when I was in private practice, makes me well qualified to help Conneaut if I am privileged to continue as judge.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat? In 2015 I created a Suspended License Intervention Program and since then over 100 defendants have become valid licensed drivers. The program allowed me to give people a way to move forward from staggering reinstatement fees and fines while maintaining the ability to punish if they do not take advantage of that opportunity. Also, in 2015, after discussing the heroin epidemic with then Attorney General Mike DeWine, he invited me to his Heroin and Opioid Task Force. There, I met professionals from all over NE Ohio who gave me exposure to ideas and resources not previously available to the municipal court. In 2016, the Supreme Court of Ohio conducted a physical security assessment of the Conneaut Municipal Court at my request. Since then, many of the security recommendations have been implemented including subjecting all persons to a security search with metal detectors, having uniformed and armed court security officers, and expanding closed-circuit video surveillance. In 2017, the Supreme Court of Ohio appointed me to the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission whose primary objective is to modernize the Ohio Revised Code and enhance justice and ensure fair sentencing. Presently, we are working on proposals to better address addiction in Ohio’s criminal justice system. In 2018, the Conneaut Municipal Court created an intensive supervision probation program to better monitor the growing number of defendants placed on probation for crimes of violence and drug abuse. The Court has built solid relationships with community partners working to combat addiction such as Signature Health, Community Counseling Center and Lake Area Recovery Center. To date, we have seen a significant number of individuals get and stay clean. The Court’s partnership extends beyond those entities working to address addiction and includes those working to address other issues such as domestic violence. In 2019, the Conneaut Municipal Court hosted a domestic violence supervision forum to maximize collaboration with all justice partners and enhance community safety and offender accountability through proper assessment, referrals, and monitoring of offenders. Most recently in 2019, the Court embarked upon a modernization of all its computer hardware and software and went on-line at no cost to the taxpayers. If re-elected I intend to continue the expansion of probation services, continue to work with the City of Conneaut on facility improvements, and further professionalize the Conneaut Municipal Court by investing in human capital and remote technology.
Education: J.D. from Cleveland Marshall College of Law
Work Experience: Litigation in both Criminal and Civil Law since 1997, represent several government and non-profit organizations
Family: Married with two children
Affiliations: Elected Concord Township Trustee since 2005, President of Lake County Bar Assoc. 2018-2019, Morley Library Trustee, Member of St. Gabriel’s Church
Endorsements: will be listed on website and facebook
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years):
Painesville Municipal Court Acting Judge appointed by Judge Mike Cicconetti 2004-2019 Law Clerk for Judge Robert Grogan, Lyndhurst Municipal Court 1995-1997
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I am the managing partner of my firm Cannon, Aveni, & Malchesky Co., LPA, and, over the years, I have been appointed as a special prosecutor for the City of Mentor, and the villages of Fairport Harbor and Perry. I have also been appointed by Lake County Judges in various Lake County courts to ensure validity of one’s trial rights. I serve as legal counsel for LAKETRAN Regional Transit Authority, Harpersfield Township, and Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers. I was elected by my peers to serve as the Lake County Bar Association President for 2018-2019, and the Lake County Commissioners have appointed me to two terms on the Morley Library Board of Trustees, first in 2013 and again in 2019. In 2005, I was elected to be a Trustee of Concord Township, and voters have re-elected me three times. I am the founding and current Chair of the Lake County East Council of Governments, an alliance of 11 eastern Lake County communities that we created to help their fire departments work together more efficiently and purchase new, updated equipment. I have been a trial attorney in Painesville, representing Lake County residents, for 22 years, and because of what I learned from Judge Grogan, and later from Judge Cicconetti, I have made municipal courts a focus of my work. The job all this work has led up to is the one I have been preparing for all my life: Painesville Municipal Court Judge.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
Fifteen years ago, Painesville Municipal Court Judge Michael A. Cicconetti did me the honor of appointing me to serve as Acting Municipal Judge and preside over the court his stead when he was unavailable. With Judge Cicconetti retiring from the bench, I am running to succeed him as Painesville Municipal Court Judge. There are a lot of factors that go into deciding to run for public office. Here are three of mine: I HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS POSITION MY ENTIRE LIFE. As a kid, I spent a lot of time watching my grandfather, Judge Richard A. Hoose, preside over the Willoughby Municipal Court and the Lake County Juvenile Court, and I have always been inspired by his example, by his commitment to the law and to serving the residents of Lake County. I went to Cleveland State as an undergrad and decided to follow my grandfather into the law, taking night classes at Cleveland State’s Marshall College of Law. During the day, I clerked for Judge Robert J. Grogan at the Lyndhurst Municipal Court, and I learned first-hand the unique role municipal courts play in our judicial system. Municipal courts are where the law has the most direct impact on people’s day-to-day lives. Compared to multi-million dollar lawsuits that grab headlines, municipal court cases may seem small. But to the people involved in them, they can be life-changing. I have been a trial attorney in Painesville for 22 years, representing Lake County residents on all kinds of cases. Because of what I learned from Judge Grogan, and later from Judge Cicconetti, I have made municipal courts a focus of my work. I’m the managing partner of my firm Cannon, Aveni, & Malchesky Co., LPA. Our office is located right next door to the Juvenile Court where my grandfather used to preside. Over the years, I have been appointed as a special prosecutor for the City of Mentor, and the villages of Fairport Harbor and Perry. I have also been appointed by Lake County Judges in various Lake County courts to ensure validity of one’s trial rights. I serve as legal counsel for LAKETRAN Regional Transit Authority, Harpersfield Township, and Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers. In 2006, Judge Paul H. Mitrovich appointed me Grand Jury Foreman for Lake County Court of Common Pleas. For 12 years I served on the Lake County Bar Association’s Grievance Committee, which helps hold local attorneys to the highest standard of professional behavior. The 450 members of the Lake County Bar Association elected me their President for the 2018-2019 term. For the last 15 years, I have had the honor of watching and learning from Judge Cicconetti. He chose me to serve Acting Judge of the Painesville Municipal Court during these years. It has been an enormous honor and a solid apprenticeship. I AM COMMITTED TO SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF LAKE COUNTY. Lake County is my home. My family goes back three generations in eastern Lake County. I live with my wife, Dr. Betty Jo Malchesky, Assistant Superintendent of the Perry Local School District, and our children in the same neighborhood where I grew up, the same neighborhood where I learned the importance of serving my community. My family and I are members of the St. Gabriel parish, and I served on the Lake Catholic Advisory Board from 2007-2015 and former Riverside High School Mock Trial Advisor (State Qualifier) . I am a member of the Lake Catholic Gridiron club and coach CYO basketball. In 2005, I was elected to be a Trustee of Concord Township, and voters have re-elected me three times. As Concord Township Trustee, I help oversee the administration of a local government with an annual budget of 3 million. I am the founding and current Chair of the Lake County East Council of Governments, an alliance of thirteen eastern Lake County communities that we created to help their fire departments work together more efficiently and purchase new, updated equipment. And — I spearheaded an effort to make our neighborhoods safer by negotiating contracted road patrols with the Sheriff’s Office for expanded police presence on our streets. I have a significant record of keeping our neighborhoods safe. The Lake County Commissioners have appointed me to two terms on the Morley Library Board of Trustees, first in 2013 and again in 2019. I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Under Judge Cicconetti, the Painesville Municipal Court has become one of the most efficient courts in the State of Ohio, and Judge Cicconetti’s creative sentencing has attracted national attention. Creative sentencing reduces future offenders. I will work to ensure effective aspects of this court continue. I am the candidate with the judicial temperament and character to serve the public with patience, open-mindedness, punctuality, firmness, compassion, and common sense. And I will continue to build on the cooperative partnerships I have established with the Lake County Sheriff’s office, the police departments of Painesville, Madison Township, Madison Village, Grand River, Fairport Harbor, Perry, and North Perry, and the officials of their respective local governments. Most importantly, I will continue to keep our neighborhoods safe. As Painesville Municipal Court Judge, I want to create a program to mediate common pleas civil cases that originate in the Court’s jurisdiction. Civil litigation is costly to all parties, and I believe we can do more to help residents mediate their cases at the municipal level when presiding common pleas court judges may have a conflict.
Education: J.D. from Cleveland Marshall College of Law
Work Experience: Litigation in both Criminal and Civil Law since 1997, represent several government and non-profit organizations. Elected Concord Township Trustee since 2005, President of Lake County Bar Assoc. 2018-2019, Morley Library Trustee, Member of St. Gabriel’s Church
Family: Married with two children
Affiliations: will be listed on website and facebook
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years):
Painesville Municipal Court Acting Judge appointed by Judge Mike Cicconetti 2004-2019 Law Clerk for Judge Robert Grogan, Lyndhurst Municipal Court 1995-1997
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I am the managing partner of my firm Cannon, Aveni, & Malchesky Co., LPA, and, over the years, I have been appointed as a special prosecutor for the City of Mentor, and the villages of Fairport Harbor and Perry. I have also been appointed by Lake County Judges in various Lake County courts to ensure validity of one’s trial rights. I serve as legal counsel for LAKETRAN Regional Transit Authority, Harpersfield Township, and Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers. I was elected by my peers to serve as the Lake County Bar Association President for 2018-2019, and the Lake County Commissioners have appointed me to two terms on the Morley Library Board of Trustees, first in 2013 and again in 2019. In 2005, I was elected to be a Trustee of Concord Township, and voters have re-elected me three times. I am the founding and current Chair of the Lake County East Council of Governments, an alliance of 11 eastern Lake County communities that we created to help their fire departments work together more efficiently and purchase new, updated equipment. I have been a trial attorney in Painesville, representing Lake County residents, for 22 years, and because of what I learned from Judge Grogan, and later from Judge Cicconetti, I have made municipal courts a focus of my work. The job all this work has led up to is the one I have been preparing for all my life: Painesville Municipal Court Judge.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
Fifteen years ago, Painesville Municipal Court Judge Michael A. Cicconetti did me the honor of appointing me to serve as Acting Municipal Judge and preside over the court his stead when he was unavailable. With Judge Cicconetti retiring from the bench, I am running to succeed him as Painesville Municipal Court Judge. There are a lot of factors that go into deciding to run for public office. Here are three of mine: I HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS POSITION MY ENTIRE LIFE. As a kid, I spent a lot of time watching my grandfather, Judge Richard A. Hoose, preside over the Willoughby Municipal Court and the Lake County Juvenile Court, and I have always been inspired by his example and by his commitment to the law and to serving the residents of Lake County. I went to Cleveland State as an undergrad and decided to follow my grandfather into the law, taking night classes at Cleveland State’s Marshall College of Law. During the day, I clerked for Judge Robert J. Grogan at the Lyndhurst Municipal Court, and I learned first-hand the unique role municipal courts play in our judicial system. Municipal courts are where the law has the most direct impact on people’s day-to-day lives. Compared to multi-million dollar lawsuits that grab headlines, municipal court cases may seem small. But to the people involved in them, they can be life-changing. I have been a trial attorney in Painesville for 22 years, representing Lake County residents on all kinds of cases. Because of what I learned from Judge Grogan, and later from Judge Cicconetti, I have made municipal courts a focus of my work. I’m the managing partner of my firm Cannon, Aveni, & Malchesky Co., LPA. Our office is located right next door to the Juvenile Court where my grandfather used to preside. Over the years, I have been appointed as a special prosecutor for the City of Mentor, and the villages of Fairport Harbor and Perry. I have also been appointed by Lake County Judges in various Lake County courts to ensure validity of one’s trial rights. I serve as legal counsel for LAKETRAN Regional Transit Authority, Harpersfield Township, and Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers. In 2006, Judge Paul H. Mitrovich appointed me Grand Jury Foreman for Lake County Court of Common Pleas. For 12 years I served on the Lake County Bar Association’s Grievance Committee, which helps hold local attorneys to the highest standard of professional behavior. The 450 members of the Lake County Bar Association elected me their President for the 2018-2019 term. For the last 15 years, I have had the honor of watching and learning from Judge Cicconetti. He chose me to serve Acting Judge of the Painesville Municipal Court during these years. It has been an enormous honor and a solid apprenticeship. I AM COMMITTED TO SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF LAKE COUNTY. Lake County is my home. My family goes back three generations in eastern Lake County. I live with my wife, Dr. Betty Jo Malchesky, Assistant Superintendent of the Perry Local School District, and our children in the same neighborhood where I grew up, the same neighborhood where I learned the importance of serving my community. My family and I are members of the St. Gabriel parish, and I served on the Lake Catholic Advisory Board from 2007-2015 and former Riverside High School Mock Trial Advisor (State Qualifier) . I am a member of the Lake Catholic Gridiron club and coach CYO basketball. In 2005, I was elected to be a Trustee of Concord Township, and voters have re-elected me three times. As Concord Township Trustee, I help oversee the administration of a local government with an annual budget of 3 million. I am the founding and current Chair of the Lake County East Council of Governments, an alliance of thirteen eastern Lake County communities that we created to help their fire departments work together more efficiently and purchase new, updated equipment. And — I spearheaded an effort to make our neighborhoods safer by negotiating contracted road patrols with the Sheriff’s Office for expanded police presence on our streets. I have a significant record of keeping our neighborhoods safe. The Lake County Commissioners have appointed me to two terms on the Morley Library Board of Trustees, first in 2013 and again in 2019. I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Under Judge Cicconetti, the Painesville Municipal Court has become one of the most efficient courts in the State of Ohio, and Judge Cicconetti’s creative sentencing has attracted national attention. Creative sentencing reduces future offenders. I will work to ensure effective aspects of this court continue. I am the candidate with the judicial temperament and character to serve the public with patience, open-mindedness, punctuality, firmness, compassion, and common sense. And I will continue to build on the cooperative partnerships I have established with the Lake County Sheriff’s office, the police departments of Painesville, Madison Township, Madison Village, Grand River, Fairport Harbor, Perry, and North Perry, and the officials of their respective local governments. Most importantly, I will continue to keep our neighborhoods safe. As Painesville Municipal Court Judge, I want to create a program to mediate common pleas civil cases that originate in the Court’s jurisdiction. Civil litigation is costly to all parties, and I believe we can do more to help residents mediate their cases at the municipal level when presiding common pleas court judges may have a conflict.
Occupation: Judge in Hamilton County Municipal Court, District 1
Education: The University of Akron School of Law
Work Experience: Current Judge in Hamilton County District 1. On the bench for 16.5 years in Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Division. Attorney for 25 years, previously practiced Criminal, Family Law, and Civil Law. Involved in over 3,000 trials.
Family: Mother of two children
Affiliations: Ohio Judicial Conference, NAACP, Ohio State Bar Assn., Cincinnati Bar Assn., Life Member of the Black Lawyers Association of Cincinnati, Member of Overflow Ministries Covenant Church, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and a mentor.
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years):
Judicial Experience: Current Judge in Hamilton County Municipal Court, District 1 – presiding over misdemeanors and civil cases Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Magistrate, Juvenile Division for 16.5 years
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
My Qualifications are as follows: 25 years as an attorney. Experienced litigator in Common Pleas Courts and Municipal. Ability to work for and with judges. Law Clerk for the Honorable Carla Moore, Presiding/Administrative Judge, Summit County Municipal Court, Retired as the Ninth Appellate District Ohio Court of Appeals. Approximately 16.5 years as a successful magistrate, presiding over custody, abuse, neglect, felony, and misdemeanor cases. Analyze issues and correctly and apply the law to the facts. Worked approximately three years for Lexis-Nexis as a top Research Attorney. Successfully managed high volume caseloads while at the Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office. Author of over 1000 decisions. Adjunct Professor for Indiana Wesleyan University
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
This seat means the world to me. I grew up in Evanston. I went to school in Evanston and Walnut Hills as a child and graduated from high school in District 1 (Evanston, Avondale, Cumminsville, Downtown, West End, Walnut Hills, Clifton and Westside) . I went to Melrose YMCA in Walnut Hills from the ages of 6 to 18 years old. I learned to swim in District 1 and learned to become a lady, while attending the “Busy Bees” at the Melrose YMCA. I went to St. Paul A.M.E., which was right next to Bush Community Center until I was 18 years old and then I transferred my membership to Christ Emmanuel Christian Fellowship Church for 19 years. My family owned two restaurants in the West End, where I worked, called the “Old Southern Restaurant and Barbeque Pit”. My Aunt Clarise White, my Mother Bessie Murphy who is from Cumminsville, and my Grandmother Annie Lee Burden-Bryant made the food at its inception. My family has put our heart and soul in District 1. Now I am honored to continue to serve in the same areas where I lived, played, and still work. Not to mention I lived on Harvey in Avondale and Montana and Harrison on the Westside. In addition, I am honored to serve as the first African-American woman in District 1. Service is in my blood! Judicially, I am a fair Judge. I am a just Judge and I am experienced! I have a proven track record of dedication to our communities and justice to all. I am asking you to keep me as your judge in District 1. Vote and Keep Judge Elisa Murphy!
Education: Miami U of Ohio, A.B. French; B.A. International Studies (Cum Laude) UC College of Law, Urban Morgan Fellow
Work Experience: Hamilton County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney 1984-2001. Elected to Hamilton County Municipal Court for a term beginning Jan 2002, serving continuously to present
Family: Married since 1985 with 2 grown children.
Affiliations: Jewish, Life Member Hadassah, Ohio State Bar Assoc, Cincinnati Bar Assoc, American Judges Assoc, Ohio Assoc of Municipal Court Judges, Ohio Jury Management Association, Loveland Women’s Club
Endorsements: Hamilton County Republican Party(hamiltoncountyrepublicanparty.org, FOP Lodge 69 (www.fop69.org), Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council, AFSCME, Cincinnati Right to Life (CRTLPAC.org)
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years):
Ohio Municipal Court District 5, Jan 2002-present, Hamilton county Municipal court’s Mental Health Court 2010-2014, Hamilton county Municipal Court’s CHANGE Court (Human Trafficking) 2014-present.
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge? Practiced 17 years in Domestic Relations, Juvenile, Municipal, Common Pleas courts: appeared before approximately 64 different judges for bench and jury trials and capital murder trials, trial preparation, research, writing and arguing memoranda and pre trial motions, dealing with victims of violent crimes as well as non-represented defendants. Grand Jury Chief, directed decisions on whether to charge as a felony or a misdemeanor, or whether to ignore a charge; supervised the Grand Jury support staff and victims’ advocates, and made budget decisions for that division. Domestic Violence Advisory Committee for Cincinnati and Hamilton County; Chief Justice O’Connor appointee to the Ohio Supreme Court Domestic Violence Advisory Committee. Planning committee for Cincinnati Childrens’ Hospital’s Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children; Tri-Health sexual assault trainer for SANE nurses.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
Why are you running for this particular court seat? Elected in a contested election in 2001, continuously re-elected. 35 years’ court experience. A good listener and problem solver; rarely appealed and even more rarely reversed. I know the law and follow changing the law over 35 years. 14 of my 17 years as a prosecutor involved major felony prosecutions, so I have a good perspective on the less serious cases in Municipal Court. I’ve built 35 years of relationships; I’m a good community resource; I’ve a unique perspective on domestic violence: I see batterers as victims of their upbringing and I’m interested in helping them gain insight into their behavior so that they don’t pass on bad behavior to their children, protects everyone. I presided over a Mental Health Court; created a specialty court for Human Trafficked victims who commit crimes. Recipient of the CBA’s Womens’ Committee “Judge Julia Stautberg Award” for exemplary leadership and professionalism in a female counsellor; UC College of Law’s “Distinguished Law Alumni Award”, and Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center’s “Model of Justice Award.” Awards from these non partisan groups inspire me to keep being the kind of judge you want on the bench.
Education: J.D. from Washington and Lee University
Work Experience: Chillicothe Municipal Court Judge since 1996, attorney since 1981
Family: Married with 4 children and 7 grandchildren
Affiliations: Chillicothe Rotary Club, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Good Shepherd Anglican Church
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years): Chillicothe Municipal Court, 1996 to present
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge? I was admitted to practice law in 1981. I have been a lawyer in private practice and an assistant prosecuting attorney.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat? I began my judicial career in 1996 on this court. I am seeking reelection to continue serving the community and administering justice.
Website: www.oldhamforjudge.com – Website Judge Jon Oldham Committee – Facebook
Occupation: Judge
Education: J.D. from the University of Akron; B.S. from Ohio University; Walsh Jesuit High School
Work Experience: Judge of the Akron Municipal Court (2015 to present); Summit County Probate Court Magistrate (2013 to 2015); Akron Municipal Court Part-Time Visiting Magistrate (2012 to 2013); Private Practice Attorney (2002 to 2013)
Family: Married with 3 children
Affiliations: Presiding Judge of Akron Recovery Court; Administrative/Presiding Judge of the Akron Municipal Court; Trustee of the Great Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America; Trustee of CHC Addiction Services Foundation; Member of Oriana House Advisory Committee; Former Trustee of The Victim Assistance Program; Former Trustee of the Akron Bar Association; Former Committee Member of the Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park; Former Volunteer Attorney for the Community Legal Aid, Open M Clinic; Member of Akron Bar Association; Fellow of the Akron Bar Foundation; NAACP Life Member, CYO Certified Soccer Coach
Bar Association Ratings: Rated ‘EXCELLENT’ by the Akron Bar Association
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years): Judge of the Akron Municipal Court (2015 to present); Administrative/Presiding Judge of the Akron Municipal Court (2019); Presiding Judge of Akron Recovery Court (2015 to present); Summit County Probate Court Magistrate (2013 to 2015); Akron Municipal Court Part-Time Visiting Magistrate (2012 to 2013).
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge? The breadth of my legal experience in private practice provides me with a unique skill set to serve as a fair, efficient, and decisive judge. For over a decade, I represented practically all types of parties: criminal defendants and victims, large and small businesses, wealthy and indigent individuals, insurance companies and personal injury victims, landlords and tenants, and creditors and debtors. Such variability in perspectives has not caused me to be plaintiff oriented or defense oriented, or soft on crime or a hanging judge. Instead, I make fair decisions as justice requires. As a judge with a firm foundation in private practice, I can anticipate where a case is heading, and I can play an active role working toward a fair resolution for all parties. For example, I am able to identify client control issues, I have an understanding of what a fair result of a dispute should be, and I can appreciate the amount of work and money required to see a lawsuit through trial. Through my work representing clients, I also understand the emotional and financial stress many individuals face when they find themselves in the legal system. As a judge, I bring all these insights to the bench. With my experience, I understand a balance between a swift docket and depriving parties of due process or their day in court. Civil and criminal litigants need a judge who rules quickly, decisively, and consistently. However, the goal of a swift docket must be balanced with due process and adjudicating cases on their merits instead of ruling on a technicality, if the law so permits. Through my work as an attorney, I also understand the importance of a fair, even tempered, and compassionate judge. Judges must treat all people with dignity and respect. Judges do not improve a criminal offender’s course in life with indifference or yelling; but by taking the time to explain to an offender why he or she is receiving a sentence, and what future consequences they face if they do not change their current course. A judge achieves only public distrust when he or she is arrogant, entitled, shrill, or uses his or her title for self-advancement.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat? I am running for re-election as Judge of the Akron Municipal Court because I thoroughly enjoy serving as Judge and I am committed to making our community as safe and strong as possible. I have never sought another type of public office and have served on the bench as a Magistrate in two courts before being elected as Judge in 2015. My judicial record shows that I make sound decisions and hold offenders accountable for their actions while utilizing the counseling and treatment resources available in our community. I am grateful to serve as Judge because I see firsthand the positive impact I am able to have on people appearing before me. In criminal matters, I strive to merge treatment with accountability in order to provide offenders with the proper tools to build a stronger foundation to be productive citizens. In civil matters, I work to make sure the cases are resolved efficiently in order to reduce financial and emotional stress on the parties. As Presiding Judge of Akron Recovery Court, I have the great opportunity to work closely with participants as they battle the disease of addiction. I embrace this opportunity with open arms because our community needs and deserves a Judge who is ready, willing, and able to use evidence-based practices to help people overcome obstacles and become better parents, spouses, siblings, children, and citizens. I am fortunate to work with a dedicated and talented Recovery Court Team and I hope to continue working with them for many years to come. As a father, husband, and life-long Summit County resident, I want the best for my family and yours. I am rated EXCELLENT by the Akron Bar Association. I respectfully ask for your vote on November 5.
Education: BA Youngstown State University 1993; JD University of Akron School of Law 1996
Work Experience: Youngstown Municipal Court Judge (11/2018-present) Prior to taking the bench I had 21 years of working as General Practitioner/Trial attorney for both civil and criminal clients in firms and private practice settings. I taught criminal justice classes and women studies classes at YSU and Kent State Universities and was an OPOTA (Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy) instructor. I served as a part-time Mahoning County Common Pleas Mediator and Assistant Prosecutor for City of Youngtown Law Department. I worked for firms, local government and owned a private practice.
Family: I am a recently married to Michael D. Ramun and we have a beautifully blended family of 2 sons, 2 wonderful daughter in laws and 5 grandchildren. We had one son, who recently lost his battle with substance abuse.
Affiliations: I am an active member of Victory Christian Center and New Life Church. I also am a member of the Association of Municipal and Judges of Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association and Mahoning County Bar Association and am active the bar association’s Access to Justice, Lawyers Assistance and Memorial Committees. I am Executive Director of the Meet Me At The Cross organization which is founded for the purpose of promoting unity, and on the Board of Directors for Bair Foundation, an organization which finds fostor homes for the most at risk and vulnerable children. I also am a member of the Latino Network of Youngstown, aimed at supporting and enhancing the lives of our Latino community.
Endorsements:I am proud to be endorsed by the UAW, Youngstown Warren Black Caucus and UAW.
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years): List your judicial experience (courts and years) Youngstown Municipal Court, 11/5/2018 to present
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge? I always say I didn’t choose law, it chose me. As a victim of domestic violence, a single mother on public assistance and daughter taking care of aging parents I am personally and uniquely aware of the many struggles and pressures that could lead one into the criminal justice system. I also know how vital a positive support system is during these tenuous times. When deciding how I would support my son and myself one thing was certain, I needed to be a catalyst for change and a conduit for hope. Law was the avenue to achieve those things. Prior to taking the bench I was a multi-county trial attorney serving my clients in civil and criminal matters. The clients I served were representative of the diversity I see on the bench daily. Serving in many jurisdictions, before various judges has afforded me the opportunity to garner experience and knowledge of the law, procedure and alternative methods of dealing with problems. As an attorney I was involved in the formation of this area’s first Veteran’s Court and have utilized treatment courts for clients suffering from substance abuse and mental health disorders. As a juvenile guardian ad litem I became a voice for the voiceless. I have acted as a pro-bono attorney for many, providing them the equal access to justice they deserve. My integrity, character and reputation remain positive and solid in the legal community and community at large. My experience as an attorney has shown me poverty, drug abuse and the mental health disorders are primary root causes of the criminal behavior we see in this area. I have always taken holistic and a pro-active approach with my clients. I understand that treatment options must be considered in sentencing as well as other rehabilitative options to minimize repeat criminal behavior. While incarceration may be necessary for some individuals, treatment and support may be what works for others. I am able to discern and develop individual modalities to accomplish the purposes of sentencing while assisting these individuals to improve themselves and become productive citizens.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat? I was born and raised in Youngstown and have seen how vital a role the Court can play. Corruption, biases and poor decisions by local government officials and even the courts have shaken public trust and confidence. I believe I have and continue to help restore the integrity, trust and confidence that must be present in our Court. I have accomplished much since becoming judge and there are many more things I would like to accomplish to help keep our city safe while improving the lives of those who appear before me. I have formed our areas first Victims of Human Trafficking Court, and am awaiting Supreme Court certification as a specialized court. I developed a mental health pilot program and expanded my court’s existing suspended license intervention program so that more defendants can qualify for participation. Finally I organized local courts, agencies and the BMV in order to hold suspended license clinics for the community to assist them in becoming valid drivers. My future plans include developing a “Getting Ahead” program based on “Bridges Out Of Poverty” to help combat generational poverty which negatively effects our city. My character is founded on my Christian beliefs. I accept and see everyone equally regardless of race, religion, political or sexual persuasion or other socially defining characteristics. I possess the ability to apply the law to the facts and to understand how a judicial decision will affect the human beings appearing before the court and have the courage to uphold the law even if the result is not the popular one. My approach is a holistic one. I am able to communicate with counsel, jurors, witnesses and parties calmly and courteously, as well as listen to and consider what is said on all sides of a debatable proposition. I consistently demonstrate patience, open-mindedness, courtesy, tact, courage, punctuality, firmness, understanding, compassion, humility and common sense. As stated before, I desire to continue serving the citizens of Youngstown by seeking truth, justice and by offering help and assistance to those who need it most and do what is necessary to keep our community safe.
Education: Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, Double Major in Public Policy and Political Science, Bachelor of Arts, Graduated 1981 University of Akron School of Law, Juris Doctor, Graduated 1984
Work Experience: City of Barberton, Chief Prosecutor/Assistant Law Director, 16 years (1991-2007); City of Norton, Police Legal Advisor/Mayor’s Court Prosecutor, 15 years (1992-2007); Koch and Regal, Private practice attorney, 1990-1993Ohio Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Court Security, 2019-2021; Ohio Supreme Court Judicial College, Education Committee, 2019-present; Ohio Judicial Conference, Community Corrections Committee, 2018-2020; Association of Municipal and County Judges of Ohio, Trustee, 2017-2021; Summit County Criminal Justice Advisory Board, 2012-present; Akron Bar Association, Foundation Fellow; Jewish Family Services (serving the needs of the homebound elderly), Advisory Board (2007-present); Announcer, Copley High School Girls Soccer, (2009-present)
Family: Divorced, two daughters, Dr. Hannah Fish and Dr. Emma Fish
Bar Association Ratings: Excellent, Akron Bar Association (2019), https://youbethejudgesummitcounty.com/
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years): Judge, Barberton Municipal Court (2008-present)
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge? Before I became a Municipal Court Judge almost twelve years ago, I served as a prosecuting attorney for sixteen years. I prosecuted cases for the cities of Green, New Franklin, Clinton, Barberton, and Norton, as well as the townships of Coventry and Copley. In my capacity as prosecutor, I participated in over 3,000 bench and jury trials. I negotiated resolutions in close to 20,000 more cases. Over that time I developed relationships with virtually every law enforcement officer representing the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Division of Natural Resources and Wildlife, Metro Parks and the Barberton, Norton, Copley and New Franklin Police Departments. I also developed good working relationships with countless attorneys from Summit, Stark, Wayne, Portage and Cuyahoga counties. After 28 years serving exclusively in this court’s jurisdiction, I have gained tremendous institutional knowledge of the families and businesses that are the backbone of our communities. I have dealt, oftentimes, with three generations of families as they have come through the court system, understanding their plight and hopefully applying the appropriate resources to correct and change destructive and unhealthy behaviors. As a prosecuting attorney in the Barberton Municipal Court system, I also served as my own appellate division. That meant that I handled all of the appeals that were filed on our cases, mostly in the Ninth District Court of Appeals, but sometimes in the Ohio Supreme Court. It required a comprehensive research and analytical effort in addition to a rigorous brief writing process to prepare the State’s arguments for appellate review. This experience helped me immeasureably when I took the bench twelve years ago as it trained my mind to anticipate and handle the critical evidentiary issues that come before the court on a daily basis. There is no better teacher than experience and repetition. I also took my experience as a prosecuting attorney to the University of Akron, where I served as an Adjunct Professor, teaching Legal Process and Criminal Evidence from 2001-2007. Preparing a semester long curriculum and presenting it to my classes also helped to further hone my communication abilities and powers of explanation, both vital skills that I use daily in court. I believe I came in well trained and qualified for the bench in 2008 after 16 years as a prosecutor and professor. The experience prepared me well.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat? I have been your Municipal Court Judge for the past twelve years and your prosecutor for the sixteen years preceding. I have been dedicated to this community in all respects for 28 years, never once leaving to seek any other office. I have dedicated my life to keeping our communities of Green, Copley, New Franklin, Clinton, Coventry, Norton and Barberton safe while trying to offer a hand up to those in need. I have immersed myself in the issues of mental health (and often co-occurring drug addiction.) I started the first Ohio Supreme Court certified Mental Health court in Barberton in 2015 and continue this life changing specialized docket to this day. As Presiding and Administrative Judge of the Barberton Municipal Court, I am responsible for the court’s annual operating budget and future planning for computer and physical site updates. My work has been recognized by the Ohio Supreme Court as well as the Association of Municipal and County Judges of Ohio (AMCJO). Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor appointed me to serve on the Advisory Committee on Court Security, setting the standards for physical and cyber security for all courts in Ohio. The Ohio Supreme Court Judicial College has also selected me three times the past six years to mentor newly appointed judges as they make the difficult transition to the bench. I was elected by my municipal court colleagues in the AMJCO to serve as a trustee representing their interests in education and legislative outreach. Locally, I serve on the Summit County Criminal Justice Advisory Board, a group of public officials and administrators who meet quarterly to advise the Summit County Executive on criminal justice issues in order to provide guidance and direct policy-making. I also serve on the Jail Capacity sub-committee of that group which meets monthly to co-ordinate sentencing resources in an ever stressed community corrections system. I am passionate about the work of being your Municipal Court judge. As Copley, Green, and New Franklin continue their retail and hotel growth, I pledge to continue to protect our communities. With honesty and integrity, I hope I have rewarded your trust in me the past twelve years on the bench. I respectfully ask for your vote in November to allow me to continue to serve you for another six years.
