Education: Juris Doctor – Cleveland Marshall College of Law
Work Experience: Private Practice 1982-2001
Family: Married for 38 years; 4 children; 14 grandchildren
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years): Judge Oberlin Municipal Court 2002-present
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge? Practicing Attorney 1982-2001 Arbitrator – Lorain County Court of Common Pleas Mediator – Lorain County Court of Common Pleas
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat? To continue providing fair and impartial justice to the citizens of the Oberlin Municipal Court District and all participants. The motto of the court: “We must give the same conscientious attention to every matter that comes to the attention of the court. Some may think that cases can be categorized as important and unimportant, but the litigants do not feel that way. Their case is very important to them and it must be to us. To us this may be just another day at the office. For the participants it is perhaps the single most important event in their life. Endeavor to treat every case with the utmost care and attention whether a simple traffic violation or a serious allegation of wrongdoing, whether a small claim or a claim for the maximum monetary jurisdiction of this Court.†It has been my privilege and honor to serve the citizens of the Oberlin Municipal Court District these past 18 years and my pledge is to continue to provide the same passion and energy the next 6 years while making improvements and changes as needed to enhance the fair and impartial administration of justice while remaining a good steward of the court and its resources. Thank you for the opportunity. Sincerely and respectfully, Thomas A. Januzzi
Occupation: Ottawa County Municipal Court Magistrate
Education: B.A. from Cornell University; J.D. from University of Toledo; 220+ hours of Judicial College training and education
Work Experience: Private practice commencing 1981; assistant Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney, 7 years; prosecuting attorney for Ottawa County villages, 20 years; associate attorney and partner, Meyer, Kocher, Loeffler & Wargo; partner, Loeffler & Wargo; Acting Judge, Ottawa County Municipal Court, 4 years; Magistrate, Ottawa County Municipal Court, 16 years.
Family: Two children, one granddaughter.
Affiliations: Parishioner, Immaculate Conception Church, Port Clinton; Ohio State Bar Association; Ottawa County Bar Association; Ottawa County Law Library Board; Port Clinton Elks; Knights of Columbus; Oak Harbor Conservation Club; Keeper of Port Clinton Lighthouse; Port Clinton Yacht Club.
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years):
Acting Judge, Ottawa County Municipal Court, 2000-2003; Magistrate, Ottawa County Municipal Court, 2003-present.
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
Private practice of law beginning in 1982, representing the families and citizens of Ottawa County as a solo practitioner, as well as both an associate and partner in the law firms of Meyer, Kocher, Loeffler & Wargo and Loeffler & Wargo. Assistant Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney for 7 years, prosecuting misdemeanor cases as well as serious felony cases, such as rape, burglary, felonious assault, attempted murder, and drug trafficking. Prosecuting Attorney for the villages of Ottawa County for over 20 years, prosecuting village ordinance cases.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I have spent my entire legal career representing and helping the families and citizens of Ottawa County as an attorney in private practice; upholding the law as a Prosecuting Attorney; and presiding over thousands of cases as both an Acting Judge and Magistrate. Election to this position will allow me to continue my career-long passion and commitment to justice for the citizens of Ottawa County. My roots are in Ottawa County; I’ve lived here for over thirty seven years, raised my children here, and now have a three year old granddaughter beginning her education in the same school as her father and aunt attended.
Education: JD from Cleveland Marshall College of Law
Work Experience: Magustrate in Lake County Juvenile Court 17 years
Family: Married with 4 children and 8 grandchildren
Affiliations: non-denominational
Endorsements: Governor Mike DeWine, Congressman Dave Joyce, Lake County Commissioners Jerry Cirino, John Hamercheck and Ron Young, Prosecutor Chuck Coulson and more
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years):
Judge, Painesville Municipal Court, less than one year Magistrate, Lake County Juvenile Court, 17 years, determining thousands of cases Law Director, City of Willoughby Hills, one year Prosecutor, Village of Kirtland Hills, six years, prosecuting on 2,500 cases, Assistant Law Director, Kirtland Hills, six years Assistant Law Director, Grand River, three years
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
In addition to my legal experience, I have been involved in many civic organizations which helps prepare me for the position I currently hold. My wife and I volunteer at Project Hope for the Homeless. I have provided assistance to Teen Challenge and other community organizations. I have coached youth basketball since I was 19 years old. I spent nearly 20 years in the health care profession as an Administrator. This has allowed me the opportunity to manage a large budget and the employees. Most of all, I have learned that as Judge you can positively impact each person that comes before the court and help lead them in a direction to be successful.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am lifelong resident of the Painesville area (jurisdiction of the court). I know the people of our area. We serve a diverse community. As the County seat of government, Painesville has a larger population of those who rely upon public assistance and those individuals need to be treated fairly. It is my desire as Judge to positively impact each person that comes before the court. As Judge, I can make a difference in our community.
Occupation: Felony Trial Counsel – Hamilton County Public Defender
Education: Walnut Hills High School, Tuskegee University – BA, University of Cincinnati College of Law – JD
Work Experience: Private Law Practice, LexisNexis Sr. Legal Consultant, Felony Trial Counsel Hamilton County Public Defender
Family: Three children
Affiliations: Cincinnati Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Association of Public Defenders
Endorsements: Hamilton County Democratic Party, Cincinnati Women’s Political Caucus, Bold New Democracy, Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council, AFSCME Ohio Council 8, Equality Cincinnati, National Association of Social Workers
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years):
I have never served as a judge.
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I have been a practicing attorney for over 20 years. For the past 12 years I have worked as an attorney for the Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office, representing indigent citizens who are accused of misdemeanor, and felony crimes. As a defense attorney I have worked hard to find alternate solutions to jail and prison. I negotiate with social service agencies, prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement, social workers, judges, parole officers, probation officers, doctors, and any other professional who interacts with the court in a criminal case. As a judge, I am uniquely qualified to determine what solution will allow a convicted person an opportunity to rehabilitate themselves, and avoid the criminal system in future.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
Most citizens who come into contact with the justice system have an interaction with municipal court. Municipal court judges handle evictions, civil suits for less than 15,000 dollars, speeding tickets, misdemeanor crimes, and OVIs. Municipal Court Judges also set bonds on most cases after arrest. I am seeking this seat in large part because we need Judges with diverse backgrounds to address the issues we face in many courtrooms today. I believe that it is important to treat every person with dignity and respect. I believe that Justice requires that Judges look at each individual person, and as a Judge I will look at every person and every case on an individual basis.
Occupation: Magistrate at the Akron Municipal Court
Education: (1) Walsh Jesuit High School-College Prep School (1993-1997) (2) John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH (1997-2001) Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a focus in Public Relations, Minors in English and Political Science (3) Western Michigan University Lansing, MI (2004-2006)
Work Experience: Magistrate at the Akron Municipal Court and Managing Attorney at The International Institute of Akron. Prior to these positions I was a Senior Attorney at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland for 5 years and an attorney at McGinty, Hilow & Spellacy Co. LPA for 7 years.
Family: Married with 3 children
Affiliations: Vice President of West Shore Bar Association Welcoming the Stranger Committee Member- Diocese of Cleveland, PTO Member at Hudson City Schools, pro Bono Volunteer Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
Endorsements: Mayor of Cuyahoga Falls, Don Walters; Mayor of Macedonia, Nicholas Molnar; Mayor of Stow, John Pribonic; State Representative, Casey Weinstein (37TH Dist.); Summit County Council Member at Large, Elizabeth Walters; Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown
Bar Association Ratings: The Akron Bar Association Commission on Judicial Candidates Rating of Good https://youbethejudgesummitcounty.com/ att1
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years):
Magistrate at the Akron Municipal Court (2019). Prior to this I have 12 years of experience representing individuals in municipal, common pleas, and federal courts in Northeast Ohio.
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
My diverse non-judicial
legal experience qualifies me to be judge because it enables me to create
innovative solutions to common problems our court faces. For example, our
community is suffering from a drug and opioid epidemic. The Stow Municipal Court
is the only court in Summit County that does not have a specialized docket to
treat this epidemic. I have the experience to start an effective drug court. I have
spent 12 years working with, and for, nonprofits in our community as well as
litigating cases in Municipal Courts all over Northeast Ohio. Working as a Senior
Attorney at Catholic Charities as well as a private practitioner at McGinty, Hilow,
& Spellacy Co LPA taught me that in order to make a real-world impact, itis
important not to duplicate services and processes, but instead to reach across boundaries
and fully utilize those effective and high-quality tools and partners that
already exist in our own neighborhoods. This includes tapping into our resources
— and especially our local nonprofits — that offer rehabilitative programs to
aid in drug addiction recovery. By connecting to the community we can start
programs, like the drug court, at no extra expense to the taxpayers.
(3) Why are you running for
this particular court seat?
I am running for Judge of
the Stow Municipal Court because I care about our community and the safety of
the community. I believe every person deserves a fair and equitable experience
in court, and if elected as your judge, I will make sure that happens. I have
the skills and even-handed temperament required to apply the law impartially
and consistently to each sentence.
I have spent most of my
career thus far in municipal courts and have learned that it is often the
individual’s initial appearance before a municipal court judge which can lead
him or her to become a repeat offender. What happens in that courtroom is
critical, and we need the right person making decisions that will ultimately
impact an entire community. I am currently a magistrate in Akron Municipal
Court, where I make decisions every single day that will impact individuals,
families and neighborhoods. Prior to this, I have been an attorney for 12 years
where I served as a Senior Attorney at Catholic Charities and a general practitioner
for McGinty Hilow & Spellacy Co LPA.
As a wife and mother of three children, I care about
creating a better, safer community for our future. And as a first-generation
American, I know the value of hard work from watching my family and extended
family’s commonsense approach to creating and running businesses. My diverse
experiences and willingness to work with others to implement creative solutions
for our everyday challenges make me the right choice for Stow Municipal Court
Judge.
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!
