Category: Uncategorized

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Magistrate, Akron Municipal Court, 2020

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I am an experienced trial attorney with a reputation for results. I have had hundreds of trials and hearings, including bench trials and jury trials in domestic, civil, criminal, and probate law, and represented hundreds of clients. I am also an experienced appellate law attorney, participating in many successful appeals and oral arguments in at the Court of Appeals. I have also submitted jurisdictional briefs to the Ohio Supreme Court. I have practiced in many courts all over the State of Ohio.

I have served on various non-partisan advisory and steering boards and commissions, in furtherance of resolving community issues and creating court programs. I have served on the Summit County Probate Court Adoption Committee and the Summit County Juvenile Court Family Recovery Through Reunification Court steering, advisory, and executive committees, resulting in a specialized docket. I have also volunteered my time with the Summit County Common Pleas Turning Point Program (also known as drug court).

I have diligently fought for the rights of indigent parents and defendants to fair advocacy and an efficient court system. I have been appointed on a non-partisan basis by judges to represent indigent clients, as well as families, in Akron Municipal Court, Barberton Municipal Court, Stow Municipal Court, Summit County Juvenile Court, Summit County Probate Court, Summit County Common Pleas Court – General Division, and the Ninth District Court of Appeals. Finally, I have participated in many of the specialized dockets in Summit County and the municipal courts, including Valor Court, OVI Court, HOPE Court, Turning Point, Domestic Violence Court, and Family Reunification Through Recovery Court.

I am fair and impartial, yet firm and empathetic. I believe in strength on the bench, while understanding the needs of the litigants and the public. I believe my experience with the public, the courts, other lawyers, and the judiciary, as well as my knowledge of the law, qualifies me to be a judge.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
Summit County Domestic Relations Court has the ability to affect the majority of the people in Summit County, including children, parents, spouses, grandparents and extended families. This court, in other words has the most captive audience when it comes to making a difference in Summit County. As result, this Court needs someone like me, who is interested in the issues affecting our community and resolving those issues, or assisting the public so that the Court is not also a part of their problem.

Litigants should come to an efficient court, where all parties are treated with dignity and respect. In addition, litigants should be assured that their court experience will be fair and impartial and geared towards legal resolutions, yet also include problem solving measures and collaborative approaches. These are things that I, as a judge, would ensure would occur in Summit County Domestic Relations Court.

Further, as the candidate with the most years of experience with Domestic Relations, I believe that I have the experience with this particular court which would allow me the perspective necessary to make a difference and effectuate change for the better. Therefore, I chose to run for Summit County Domestic Relations Court Judge.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
I have been the Lake County Domestic Relations Judge since 01/02/03.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
In my years as an assistant prosecutor, I appeared in both Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts on many family law issues such as establishment of parentage, establishment and enforcement of child support orders. Enforcement of child support orders included civil and criminal actions. I appeared in the United States Federal Court for the Northern District of Ohio in bankruptcy cases to preserve child and spousal support arrearages. I was the Chief Assistant Prosecutor for the Child Support Division of The prosecutor’s office for over 13 years.

As the staff attorney for the Child Support Agency of the Lake County Department of Job and Family Services, I developed the procedures for the Agency to follow after it was created by statute. The procedures and forms designed had to be acceptable to both the Domestic Relations and Juvenile Judge for efficient operation of the Agency. During this time I also handled employee grievances within the Agency.

My employment experience included developing annual budgets for the Child Support Division of the Prosecutor’s Office along with its annual contracts with the Lake County Department of Job and Family Services. The court has to prepare annual budgets as well and operate within the funds allocated by the County Commissioners. I prepare the budgets. Annual contracts between the Court and the Lake County Department of Job and Family Services for the operation of the Court’s Child Support Division are also executed.

In short, I was well prepared to handle the many administrative and employee matters only a judge can address. A judge has many administrative responsibilities which all take place other than in the courtroom for the efficient operation of the court.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I have practiced within the area of family law my entire professional life before becoming Domestic Relations Judge. This is an area of law which has become extremely more complex over the last 25 years and demands extensive experience and knowledge to address family law cases properly.

I have been and am dedicated to the well being of children. Children are an integral part of many cases within the court. I established a mediation Department within the court to help resolve the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities between parents without litigation. Many other issues in a divorce case can also be mediated such as spousal support or the division of property. A party does not have to be represented by an attorney to request mediation.

Our Court was the applicant on behalf of all 7 Lake County Common Pleas Judges to Canine Companions for Independence for a facility dog to work throughout the courts. The application was approved and we received our Facility Dog Atticus almost 4 years ago. He is a yellow lab who works in all our courts. Children at adoptions are thrilled he is there; he visits as a motivator at the Juvenile Detention Center; he sits with children when myself or a Magistrate speaks privately with them; he works with victims of crime in the General Division.

The Court developed a program for children ages 6-12 whose parents are going through a divorce. The program’s purpose is to let a child know he/she is not the only child in this tough situation. The program also provides the children with ways to handle stress and their emotions safely.

I am running for Judge to continue my work with families going through divorce. I will continue to develop innovative programs to assist those who come before the Court to minimize litigation. In particular, Custody Litigation causes emotions to go out of control, opens old wounds, and often makes a bad situation worse. I seek to minimize the stress and turmoil of the court process on families.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court General Division for 1 year.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio. I am a proud graduate of Glenville Highschool. Before attending law school I was a mail carrier and I also worked in banking for almost twenty years. I attended law school in the evenings while working full time and raising my children. As an attorney, I was a dedicated Guardian ad Litem for children who have been separated from their parents or are at risk of separation due to abuse neglect or dependency. I also represented the best interests of children in custody matters.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I was appointed to this seat by Governor Kasich in January of 2019. In my first year on the bench I had more incoming cases than almost every other Judge in this court. My docket had 451 incoming cases compared to an average of around 371. I also resolved more cases in my first year than any of the other new judges who took the bench in 2019.

In a short time period, I have established a reputation for having an unflappable judicial temperament. I actively practice the four pillars of procedural justice in my courtroom daily by being compassionate, fair, impartial, transparent, and allowing parties to have a voice. I received two commendations from jurors/potential jurors this past year recognizing the way I handle my courtroom. In addition to the probation committee, I also serve on the criminal rules committee in our court. I am currently working on a proposal to streamline the process of fee bill submission and electronic payments for appointed counsel.

Education and Community: I completed judicial training, while still actively engaging in our community. I conducted court in the classroom at Heritage Middle School and volunteered as a mock trial Judge in both 2019 and 2020 for Highschool Mock trial teams. I also helped Cleveland Marshall College of Law prepare their moot court team for Regional Competition. (they won first place!)

I am seeking election for this particular seat because I have proven that I am an asset to the bench. I am certainly filling the shoes of my predecessor, however, I am just beginning. I humbly ask for the support of voters so that I can continue making positive contributions to the Cuyahoga Common Pleas Court General Division Bench.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Judge of the Stark County Probate Court; January 2004 to present Acting Judge in Alliance Municipal Court; April, 2001 to December, 2002 Magistrate for Judge Lee Sinclair, Stark County Court of Common Pleas; January, 1997 to June, 2002

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I have worked most of my career within the court system. The value of my non-judicial legal experience was that it provided me insight and empathy into the dimensions of the attorney-client relationship and the experience of being on the other side of the bench. Much time is devoted to preparing court filings and for court appearances. The court file itself does not reflect all of the work, client support and effort expended on the case. Consequently, I make an effort to spend time with counsel to discuss any potential issues before proceeding with a hearing. If the matter is contested, this is an opportunity for the parties to resolve the case. This practice optimizes and facilitates the hearing process.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
It has been my privilege to serve the residents of Stark County in the Probate Court for sixteen years. While much has been accomplished with generous volunteers in our community, there is still work to be done to raise awareness of alternatives to guardianship, prevention of abuse of the elderly and disabled and mental health treatment options. Stark County Probate Court started one of the first pilot programs in Ohio for eldercaring coordination in 2017. Eldercaring coordination is a dispute resolution process during which an eldercaring coordinator assists elders, legally authorized decision-makers, and others who participate by court order or invitation to resolve disputes with high conflict levels in a manner that respects the elder’s need for autonomy and safety. This process is a way to avoid guardianship while insuring the safety of the elder. The Stark County Multidisciplinary Advocacy/Protective Resources Team (SMART) began with the Probate Court’s invitation to various agencies and government offices that serve the elderly and disabled in order to create an ongoing dialogue and forum for the development and implementation of resources to address the needs of the disabled and/or elderly population. Since 2011, SMART has presented an annual program on elder/disabled abuse to raise awareness in the community of this growing issue. There are over 200 attendees at the program every year Additionally, for the past two years, SMART has sponsored a “Coordinated Community Response” seminar for law enforcement and agencies that serve the elderly and disabled.

Since 2005, volunteers for the Probate Court Angel program have been trained to visit the Court’s wards and their guardians. Court Angels confirm the well-being of wards and provide support and information to their guardians. A study of the program and its value to the community was completed by Miami University of Ohio.

Since 2006, Guardian Support Services’ (GSS) volunteer guardians have served numerous wards in facilities with love and kindness. Since the Probate Court assisted in its establishment, guardianship standards and training have been adopted statewide. GSS volunteers exceed the standards.

Outpatient commitment of individuals with mental health issues has been successful in assisting individuals with adjusting to living in the community with supports and medication compliance.

In closing, the Probate Court touches the lives of many in Stark County, including adoptions, marriage licenses, trusts and estates. It is truly a privilege to serve.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
I have been a judge since 1993, and began my judicial career as Judge of the Ashtabula Municipal Court I am currently the Judge of the Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile Division. I have served with distinction, and have implemented numerous innovative programs in both courts.

In 2018, I was honored to receive Ohio’s “Distinguished Judicial Service Award.” This honor was especially meaningful because it was awarded in my third year as a juvenile judge. It is a peer recognition and it was bestowed by my colleagues in the Ohio Association of Juvenile Judges. Recipient, “Whatever It Takes Award,” from MST Services Established, Ashtabula County’s “Family Drug Court” in 2017. Established, Ashtabula County’s “Juvenile Resource Center” in 2018. Ohio Steering Committee Member, Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative [JDAI] One of five Ohio courts selected to participate in federal government’s “Statewide System Reform Project” [now SSIP] Trained in principles of Trauma Informed Care.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
Municipal Prosecutor, City of Ashtabula, Ohio Recipient, U.S. Inspector General’s “Integrity Award” for exemplary dedication and service in office 1) Recipient, Commendation from Ohio Auditor’s Office for efficiency and dedication in office 2) Recipient, Commendation from Ohio Auditor’s Office for efficiency and dedication in office 3) Recipient, Commendation from Ohio Auditor’s Office for efficiency and dedication in office Private law practice.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
Frederick Douglass famously observed over 175 years ago: “Is is easier to build strong children than to fix broken men.”

My 22 years on a municipal court bench allowed me to witness first-hand how critical it is to address minor cognitive, behavioral and trauma-based issues sooner rather than later. This single observation informed my decision in 2015 to seek election to the Probate/Juvenile bench. There are very few among us who have not committed some form of social transgression while young. For example, who has not fought over a boyfriend/girlfriend as a youth? Marked on a wall? Etc.

In my lifetime, I have witnessed a sustained and unrelenting assault on the very foundations of our society: the family. Good and hardworking married and single parents truly want what is best for their children; however, the pace and demands of today’s society thwart this desire at every turn. Today’s youth have virtually limitless access to information and transportation. Today’s parents struggle with addiction, housing and economic issues.

In short, society is different now. Society must develop a juvenile system that demands accountability. At the same time, it must be creative, nimble and responsive. It must be efficient, patient and firm. It must resource, guide and inform. It must support, redirect and “co-parent” if necessary. In short, the system must change. If not now, when?

I recognize there are those who insist that children only “learn” when locked up. If a child is hurting others, I completely agree. As to virtually all other minor, repetitive and annoying childhood behavior, I must respectfully disagree. I have sentenced many, many adult offenders as a municipal judge. The adult system is overwhelmed and broken. Some adult offenders wait upwards of two years to serve those sentences. Is this a working system? We need to attack this problem at an earlier age, and with different approaches and solutions. Our Juvenile Resource Center is one of Ohio’s model programs. We screen for trauma, behavioral and cognitive deficits, mental health issues, substance abuse issues, recidivism risks, sexual and human trafficking issues and more. We identify problems, and wrap the child and family with services. We follow-up. We assign community service. We use pro-social activities. In short, we help youth and Ashtabula County Families. I truly love my job, and humbly ask for your continued support.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
COURT EXPERIENCE Municipal – I have represented litigants in Cleveland Municipal Court, Garfield Heights Municipal Court, Cleveland Heights Municipal Court, Euclid Municipal Court, Shaker Heights Municipal Court, Bedford Heights Municipal Court, and on both civil and criminal matters.

I have also represented parties in the various housing courts in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas. I have represented parties in the Domestic Relations, Probate, Juvenile and General Divisions of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. In Domestic Relations Court, I represented litigants who were before the court to dissolve their marriages, or who were married, and have since divorced, but other issues have risen from the original proceedings. I have represented clients in Probate Court in their role as the Administrator or Executive of an estate. I have prepared estate planning documents for clients. In both the Juvenile and General Divisions, but I have represented juveniles in delinquency matters, adults in criminal matters, and parents in family matters and I have fifteen years of trial experience.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
It is important to have practical experience in front of the very court in which you seek to preside. In such respect, I have represented litigants in the Domestic Relations Division in divorce, separation, and dissolution matters in which we were required to address not only child support, visitation, and custody issues, but we have also been required to address other intricacies of domestic relations matters such as spousal support orders, resolving real estate matters, the distribution of retirement benefit, and health insurance coverage matters.

As a trial attorney of 15 years, I have had the distinct honor of representing parents in family matters in two instances; (1) when they were fighting against the state of Ohio in abuse, neglect, and dependency matters; and (2) when they were fighting against the other biological parent to resolve either custody, visitation, or child support matters.

I have first-hand legal experience working through the intricacies of family matters such as addressing the needs of my emotionally engaged client, negotiating with opposing counsel to reach a resolution, or going to trial when resolutions were not achieved. I have become quite familiar with the laws that govern in this field of law and as an advocate, I have filed and argued many motions of my client’s behalf. Domestic relations court is a court where families are in crisis and there is a great need for the jurist to exercise a sound and fair application of the law, and to express the appropriate judicial restraint and temperament in which they present from the bench. I have handled cases in the Cuyahoga County, Domestic Relations Division with varying degrees of complexity, but with each one, I have remained calm and instrumental, and treated my clients, opposing counsel, and the jurist with dignity and respect. I have had extensive negotiations with opposing counsel regarding matters that were most important to my client and I have worked feverishly to resolve these matters as my clients have directed. And minimizer conflict.

I believe that my legal experience, compassionate nature, and judicial temperament qualify me to be a judge in the Domestic Relations Division, Court of Common Pleas, Cuyahoga County.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am running for the open seat in the Domestic Relations Division, Common Pleas Court of the Cuyahoga County because I believe that the next seated Judge should have practical experiences working with litigants in domestic relations matters, have a strong foundation in understanding family dynamics with the ability to identify and address their needs, and have the ability to fairly and impartially apply the law when rendering legal decisions.

As a trial attorney of nearly 15 years, I have represented countless litigants with domestic relations matters. I have handled divorces, dissolutions, legal separations, and child support and child support matters with varying levels of complexity. I am well versed in the laws that govern domestic relations matters, and very experienced with the application of the rules of evidence and civil procedure that apply in these cases.

As a trained social worker for nearly 24 years, I have a strong foundational understanding of family dynamics and the ability to resolve family matters. Families who come before this court are typically in crisis and the ability to listen emphatically to each party is necessary to ensure that both parties feel comfortable in presenting their case, and assured that their matters are heard with an open mind.

I have worked with our county’s mental health and drug courts, and I can quickly identify some of the needs presented by the parties, and quickly ensure that they are connected with resources that are readily available to the court. In domestic relations cases, it is imperative to understand it is not only the litigants before the court who are impacted, but their families are also impacted. Therefore, I believe that equipping the litigants with resources to help them through this crisis would better prepare them for a more optimistic future.

My legal and social work experience, my educational training, and my compassion toward resolving family matters will be invaluable tools in rendering legal decisions in domestic relations matters that fairly and impartially apply the law. I believe in equal justice for all parties who come before the court. I believe that all parties, no matter their age, race, religion, or sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect, and as the next Judge of this court, it would be my priority to do so.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Since 2016, I have served as a Delinquency Magistrate for Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court. I handle misdemeanors to Felonies if the third degree. I handle the cases from arraignment to disposition and all related matters.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I have been working in and around a courtroom since I could work. I have the experience of knowing how a Court of Common Pleas Courtroom works from the perspective of a Bailiff/Scheduler, Assistant Prosecutor, Judicial Staff Attorney, and Magistrate. I am the candidate in this race who will be prepared from day one to oversee both a criminal and civil docket. I oversee trials as a Magistrate, have tried multiple bench and jury criminal trials as an Assistant Prosecutor, and participated in every area of the civil docket as a Judicial Staff Attorney.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am running for this particular court seat because I believe I am the most well rounded candidate in this race. I am running against a career public defender and career assistant prosecutor, both of whom I respect very much. I believe as the only candidate in this race with experience as a hearing officer and the only one with significant civil experience, I am the well rounded choice. I already know what it takes to run an efficient, fair, and transparent courtroom. I embrace creative consequences and have experience working with Judges, stakeholders, and community partners for positive changes in our courts and in the community. I would be honored to get the opportunity to serve for the Court where I began my legal career and continue my lifelong commitment to public service and a strong legal system.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
I graduated from Ohio Northern University in 2002, earning my Juris Doctorate degree. I worked as a general private practice attorney at the Law Offices of Thomas Kuhn and Randy Reeves, focusing on credit disputes, civil litigation, and criminal law. In 2003, I became an Assistant City Prosecutor for the City of Lima, working at the Lima Municipal Court for five years. I was appointed as a Magistrate of the Allen County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division in 2008. Since January of 2015, I have served as the Chief Magistrate of the Allen County Juvenile Court. I have served the citizens of Allen County, Ohio for the past seventeen years, and I look forward to continuing to serve our community.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I am a parent of two wonderful children. The daily challenges of raising children, being fair, but stern, is something I take with me every day I go to work. I also have been a volunteer coach for the youth of our community. I love children and interacting with them. I strive to positively impact the lives of our citizens every day, and that includes the youth of our community. I am also aware of the challenges of a single-parent family, as I am a child of divorced parents myself. I understand the turmoil and struggles that children experience and the sacrifices that parents make on a daily basis. I have used those experiences and that knowledge as a foundation for fairness and justice in all of my decisions.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I have had the honor and privilege of serving this great community for the past seventeen years; first, as an Assistant City Prosecutor, and, for the past twelve years, as a Magistrate at Juvenile Court.

Over those twelve years, I have been able to successfully handle every type of case at Juvenile Court. I have listened to the parties and the attorneys, taken evidence, conducted various hearings, and issued decisions and orders. I have accomplished all of this by listening to our citizens, being fair and impartial, and upholding the law. I have a real passion for children and in protecting our community. I grew up in the Greater Lima, Allen County Region, and I desire for this community to continue to grow and prosper; for our own children and for generations to come. I have the knowledge, commitment, and work ethic to ensure that Probate and Juvenile court will continue to serve our citizens in the future.

My goals as the next Probate and Juvenile Court Judge are to work to make the courts user friendly, both when individuals are in the building, as well as through the use of our website. I also aim to build upon our efficiency and make the courts as efficient as possible, for the staff and for the general public. Additionally, I want to work with the County Commissioners in their goals of consolidating the courts into one renovated Courthouse. I want to work with the Commissioners as we endeavor for a better Allen County. Further, I would like to assist in the creation of a County Public Defender’s Office and increase the number of volunteer individuals that serve as guardians in both Probate and Juvenile Court. The increase of guardians and the creation of a Public Defender’s Office would help ensure that everyone has the representation they deserve. I also want to work with the Prosecutor’s Office and local law enforcement and expand upon the school educational programs that are currently in place. Preventative education is the key, rather than reacting to our youth once they find themselves involved in the justice system.

I have had the honor of serving our community for the past seventeen years, and I look forward to continuing to serve Allen County as the next Judge of Probate and Juvenile Court. I ask for your support on election day, and in the future.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
I have served on the bench as a magistrate for almost 14 years. Approximately 10 years I served as a magistrate in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division where I presided over case of dependency, abuse and neglect of children. I am currently serving as a magistrate in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division where I have been for 4 years. I preside over cases of divorce, dissolution and domestic violence civil protection orders.

As a magistrate in the Hamilton County Common Pleas Division, Juvenile Court my job entailed cases brought by the Hamilton County Department of Jobs and Family Services (HCJFS) as represented by the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office. It was my responsibility to oversee trials while hearing testimony and evidence to determine if children were abused and/or neglected and whether that required removal from the families and whether to place children in foster care or with relatives while parents participated in services and worked toward reunification with their children. At times parents did not commit to services to be reunited with their children or the circumstances were so egregious that it required me to terminate parental rights and make the children available for adoption. These are tough decisions I did not make lightly. Although the subject matter at times was devastatingly sad, it was extremely satisfying to serve in a role helping families and children.

As a magistrate in the Hamilton County Common Pleas Division, Domestic Relations Court I preside over cases of divorce, dissolution, custody, parenting time and domestic violence civil protection orders. Just as a magistrate in Juvenile Court, I hear testimony and evidence, rule on motions, objections and evidence and issue written decisions. Magistrates wear judicial robes, preside over trials and issue written decisions. I have a total of 14 years of experience on the bench deciding cases.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
Prior to attending law school and during law school I took every opportunity to expose myself to the legal field. I worked summer internships at law firms in civil and criminal law. After graduating from college I worked at a civil litigation firm and then a patent law firm. While attending law school I worked in the civil litigation department at a large Chicago law firm. I used these experiences to determine what area of law I would pursue as a career.

It was the summer between my second and third year of law school when I was exposed to public service at the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office and I knew immediately this was the path for me. After graduating from law school I worked for the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office as an assistant prosecutor. In my 10 years as an assistant prosecutor, prosecuting felonies and misdemeanors, I learned how to litigate. Preparing to litigate or “try” a case requires many skills. One needs to be a good listener as victims and witnesses recount their experiences. One needs good case preparation and organizational skills to present the case in the most effective way to a judge or jury. One also needs critical thinking skills applying the facts to the law and knowing how to use the evidence you have, within the bounds of the rules of procedure and rules of evidence, so that you can prove your case.

This experience, having tried numerous cases before magistrates, judges and juries is excellent preparation that I have taken to the bench as a magistrate and will take to the bench as a judge. Judges must also encompass an appropriate judicial temperament. A judge must be fair, impartial, un-biased but also must exhibit respect and dignity for the position and the people who appear in front of the judge.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
As a career public servant I am running for this seat to take my skills and experience to the Court of Common Pleas, General Division. I am passionate about public service. My litigation experience as an assistant prosecutor and 14 years as a magistrate have prepared me to preside over the most serious cases in our county. It is a responsibility that needs to be taken seriously because judicial decisions affect lives.

Every day I remind myself to be the judicial officer I would want to be in front of if I was on the other side of the bench. Attorneys and Litigants should be treated fairly and respectfully. Those who come before a judge want and need to be heard and judged fairly. A good judicial temperament and demeanor is crucial to this process and I have demonstrated these qualities, skills and experience in all aspects as a magistrate. My running for this seat is not about my ego and it is not about the “title”. I am running for this seat because I want to continue serving the people of Hamilton County with dignity and respect. I want to do the job and I will do it well.

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
I have been the Judge of the Medina County Court of Common Pleas General Division since January 1, 2015.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I spent 29 years in the active practice of litigation. I appeared in the Ohio Supreme Court 54 times, in various Ohio Courts of Appeals, in common pleas courts throughout Ohio, in numerous municipal courts, and even in small claims courts.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am looking forward to continuing to work for the people of Medina County. I am proud of the programs that my court, working with the probation department and others, have instituted to further justice in Medina County. I am proud to preside over the county’s only two Supreme Court certified specialized dockets, our Drug Court docket and our Mental Health Court docket. The Drug Court was recently featured in a documentary entitled Second Chances: One Year in Ohio’s Drug Courts which can be found at http://www.ohiochannel.org/video/second-chances-one-year-in-ohios-drug-courts.

While I have been on the bench the criminal docket has increased for the Medina County Common Pleas Court, General Division, by 52%. Still my court has cleared criminal cases at an average rate of 109% per month. I attribute our clearance rate to the dedication of my staff and myself to providing the constitutional guarantee of a speedy trial to those defendants who come before me. Among those jury trials was State v. Tench, a capital murder case that resulted in the jury recommending a death penalty and the Court’s agreement with that recommendation. The Tench case was reviewed by the Ohio Supreme Court the sentence was affirmed by all the Ohio Supreme Court Justices who reviewed the case.

Because Medina County is one of the state’s fastest growing counties, we have been one of the top five counties in the state for increases in our combined criminal and civil dockets. On a per judge basis Medina County was in the top five of all counties for combined caseload per judge with a figure of 1305. Only two of Ohio’s eighty-eight counties had a higher caseload per judge for their criminal dockets, and only four counties had a higher caseload per judge for their civil dockets. Despite this workload, our courtrooms had a clearance rate of 98.645%, ranking us number one for clearance rates. Both Judge Collier and I are proud of the work we have done and of the justice that our courts are rendering for the people of Medina County.