Office: Stark County-Stark County Common Pleas Court, Family Court
Division
Age: 59
Residence: Magnolia, OH
Email: judgejames@starkcountyohio.gov
Website: https://www.stevebruns.com
Occupation: Judge
Education: Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School; Bachelor
of Arts from Capital University: General Practice Attorney since 1983;
Preble County Common Pleas Court Magistrate since 2009
Work Experience: Family Court Judge since 1999, Family Court
Magistrate, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Family: Married with 2 children
Affiliations: Ohio Judicial Conference- past chair, currently co-chair
Juvenile Law & Procedure Committee, Ohio Association of Juvenile
Judges, Ohio Association of Domestic Relations Judges- past president,
Stark County Bar Association- past president, Ohio Bar Association,
Magnolia Fire Department- past ×re chief, Quad Ambulance District past
board member and EMT, United Methodist Church
Endorsements: N/A
Bar Association Ratings: N/A
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years):
I have served as a judicial officer for the Stark County Family Court
since 1986, as a Magistrate and Judge. Referee/Magistrate 1986-1989;
Chief Magistrate 1989-1999; Judge 1999- present.
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a
judge?
The majority of my legal career has been devoted to Family Law. I
served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Stark and Washington
counties and practiced Domestic Relations law. I also served as Village
Solicitor for two communities prior to taking the bench. These
experiences gave me courtroom experience and a thorough
understanding of Juvenile and Domestic Relations law. I have a ×rm
grasp on court procedures and evidentiary rules as well as the issues
facing family law practitioners and litigants.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am very proud to represent a progressive Family Court which
embraces proven “best practices” when dealing with youth and families.
During my tenure, the Family Court has developed an effective Juvenile
Drug Court which I oversee, a Teen Court, mediation and parent
education, wrap-around services for families and is a “Trauma-Informed
Court”. Currently, utilizing nationally recognized research on programs
which effectively reduce delinquency, the Stark County Family Court
has been chosen to participate in a Juvenile Detention Alternatives
Initiative which I am anxious to implement.
I have effectively managed my docket, reducing the average length of
divorce cases from nearly two years to 6 months. Both the Domestic
Relations Division and the Juvenile Diversion close more cases
annually than are opened. As Administrative Judge in the Juvenile
Division of this court, I have also effectively managed the court’s
budget and administration. I am anxious to continue the initiatives
which have been put in place which make the Stark County Family
Court recognized nationally as a court of distinction.