Jeff Rezabek

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Juvenile Court Judge – Montgomery County Common Pleas Court – July 12, 2018 – December 31, 2018; Dayton Municipal Court, Dayton, OH (January 2009 – 2012) – Jeff Rezabek was a substitute magistrate for Dayton Municipal Court from 2009-2012 where he conducted full dockets including arraignments, criminal minor misdemeanor trials and civil trials.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
Jeff Rezabek served as State Representative for the 43rd District in the Ohio House of Representative from 2015 until his appointment by Governor Kasich to be Montgomery County Juvenile Court Judge. Jeff has returned to his successful private practice that he had for over twenty years, which focuses on juvenile, custody, and family law, as well as criminal defense work. Jeff was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2014 and reelected in 2016. In the 132nd General Assembly, Jeff was the Vice-Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee and sat on the Civil Justice, and Agriculture and Rural Development, Reclaim Advisory Committees. Additionally, I served on several commissions, the Ohio Sentencing Commission, Juvenile Sentencing – Sub-Committee, Interstate Compact for Juveniles, Correctional Institution Inspection Committee. In the 131st General Assembly, Jeff was the Vice-Chair of the Government Accountability and Oversight. He sat on Judiciary, Local Government, Agriculture, and Rural Development, Finance, and the Joint Legislative Committee on Multi-System Youth, as well as on the Commission, Interstate Compact for Juveniles. Jeff Rezabek was admitted to the Ohio, New York, and Federal Bars in 1998, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015. In 1997, he graduated and received his J.D. from the University of Dayton, School of Law, and his B.A. in Psychology and History from the University of Dayton in 1991.

Jeff has been the recipient of several awards. They include The Image of Hope Award for Youth Advocacy(2013), the CASA Guardian ad Litem of the Year(2003) award, as well as the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Appointed Counsel of the Year Award in 2000 and 2009.

Representative Rezabek was recognized with an Ohio Public Image Award in 2016, presented by the Ohio Association of County Boards of Serving People with Developmental Disabilities(OACB) and the Ohio Superintendents of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities(OSCB). The award recognized elected officials who consistently champion causes for people with developmental disabilities, protecting the rights of individuals and supporting community programs that improve the lives of individuals and families; while supporting public policies that promote inclusion and acceptance. Additionally, Jeff was selected as the Public Children Services Association of Ohio 2018 Legislator of the Year. He was honored because of his commitment and leadership for children and families involved in the children’s services system, and Jeff is a true champion for children.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I believe that I am uniquely qualified for the 2nd District Court of Appeals because of my experience as Judge, a State Representative, and my trial experience across all of the counties encompassed by the district. I served as Montgomery County Juvenile Court Judge. The experiences that one gains from sitting on the bench are unmeasured and very important to an individual that is seeking to move up in the judicial system. The direct practical and trial experience from serving as Judge is a necessary component to performing as an excellent Judge on the Court of Appeals. Additionally, I believe that the uniqueness of having a Juvenile Court Judge on the Court of Appeals would provide a new perspective to the Court of Appeals.

Likewise, my work as a State Representative adds a different and distinctive experience that enriches my qualification to the 2nd District Court of Appeals. I served as Vice-Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee and Vice-Chair of the Government Accountability and Oversight. Additionally, I served on the Committees of Civil Justice, Agriculture and Rural Development, Reclaim Advisory, Judiciary, Local Government, Finance, and the Joint Legislative Committee on Multi-System Youth. Additionally, I was appointed to several Commissions which included, the Ohio Sentencing Commission, Juvenile Sentencing – Sub-Committee, Interstate Compact for Juveniles, Correctional Institution Inspection.

Finally, with my over twenty-three years of experience as an in the courtroom litigator with over 70 felony jury trials, I am qualified to serve as an appellate court judge. I have handled complex and challenging criminal cases, including death penalty situations, as well as others in the areas like appellate, juvenile, domestic relations, probate, and personal injury law. My practice includes cases in Municipal, State, and Federal Courts. I am an active member of our community through several organizations, as well as coach for Vandalia Butler High School. I continue to help and provide to our disadvantaged communities and children.

With my leadership and experience as a Judge, State Representative, trial attorney, and community leader, I am qualified and will add these unique qualities to the 2nd District Court of Appeals.