Education
J.D., Cleveland State University (2006); B.A. English, Miami University (2002)
Experience
Attorney and Business Owner, Anderson Legal Services LLC (2022 to Present); Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor (2008 to 2015, 2021); Assistant Ohio Attorney General (2019-2021); Special Prosecutor, Ohio Auditor of State (2015-2019); US Air Force
Volunteer/Community Service
WomenSafe - Member, Board of Directors; Hope for Kids - Member, Board of Directors; Lawyer to Layer Mentoring Program - Mentor; Geauga County Perennial Exchange - Founding Member
The Probate and Juvenile Judge serves at the most critical intersection of law and humanity—protecting children, safeguarding vulnerable adults, and ensuring families are treated with dignity and fairness during life’s most difficult moments. The role requires not only a deep understanding of the law, but sound judgment, independence, and the ability to make tough decisions that impact the community.
I bring nearly 20 years of actual courtroom experience—prosecuting cases, serving as an Air Force JAG, and guiding families as a family law attorney. I have handled complex, high stakes matters, made difficult decisions, and stood firm in my commitment to integrity. My loyalty is to the law and the families of Geauga County.
Beyond my legal experience, my service and community work have shaped how I approach this role. As an Air Force officer, I developed the integrity, discipline, and work ethic required to lead and make difficult decisions under pressure. As a board member for WomenSafe and Hope for Kids, I have worked directly with organizations serving survivors of domestic violence and vulnerable children. I also carry a deeply personal understanding of trauma—someone I love was abused as a child, and I witnessed its lasting impact. I’ve spoken to university students about how trauma affects the brain and decision-making, and I bring that awareness to every case. Through all of my personal ventures, I am dedicated to serving with integrity and compassion.
Yes. The program should be continued. CASA provides critical advocacy for children who might otherwise go unheard. Every child involved in the court system deserves a voice focused solely on their best interests. CASA volunteers play an important role, particularly in abuse and neglect cases and in situations where families cannot afford a guardian ad litem.
CASA is valuable resource, though like any program, it must be well-managed and accountable. I also believe we should expand the pool of qualified attorneys to serve as GALs, ensuring courts have both well-trained CASA volunteers and experienced legal advocates available to best serve children and families. Using attorney GALs, who are paid by the parties, can help reduce spending.
The Probate Judge's role is to appoint qualified, independent, and community-minded leadership, not to advance politics. I would prioritize appointing individuals with backgrounds in conservation, finance, land management, and community engagement, while also ensuring geographic representation across the county.
I would also emphasize transparency and accountability in Board operations. Residents should have confidence that decisions about public land and resources are made openly, responsibly, and in the best interest of the community. Strong governance, clear communication, and respect for differing viewpoints are essential to maintaining public trust. That includes entertaining public comment at Park District meetings.
Absolutely not. Continuing that separation is not fiscally responsible. Maintaining independent financial and IT systems creates unnecessary duplication of work, increases costs, and reduces efficiency.
From an IT perspective, it could also be devastating. Services contracted to an outside vendor may leave systems vulnerable to hacking or other attacks.
Taxpayers deserve responsible stewardship of public resources. Where services can be shared without compromising effectiveness, they should be. Reintegrating these functions in the county's system would promote transparency, strengthen oversight, and ensure that more resources are directed toward the Park District’s core mission rather than administrative overhead.
Education
J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law; M.A. from the Johns Hopkins University; B.A. from the Johns Hopkins University
Experience
Former Geauga County Assistant Prosecutor, currently the Chief Compliance Officer & Administrator for the Geauga County Auditor's Office
Volunteer/Community Service
Geauga Co. Bar Association Treasurer; GCBA Advanced Directives Committee; Legal Aid pro bono work; Geauga's America 250 Committee; Farm Bureau's Know & Grow for kids
After years being Geauga's Juvenile Court Prosecutor, I know the Judge's pivotal role in protecting & supporting children & families. Later, as legal counsel for Geauga's courts—including Juvenile Probate Court—County agencies, & townships, I gained a comprehensive understanding of how the Juvenile Probate Judge can impact our community.
Later, as the Auditor's Administrator & Chief Compliance Officer I helped restore professional standards, increase fiscal accountability, & enhance transparency across Geauga's operations. After 15+ years working in Geauga's legal & financial systems and Bar Association leadership, I have a proven track record of reform, collaboration, integrity, & transparency, while protecting taxpayer funds.
A Juvenile Probate Judge is in effect the CEO of a complex government agency that manages budgets and public employees, & interacts with various county boards, agencies, & officials.
As the Auditor's Chief Compliance Officer & Administrator, my job goes beyond legal work to include HR, fiscal discipline, budgetary issues, and ensuring that government operations remain transparent & accountable. This executive experience is needed to reform the Juvenile Probate Court's operations with maximum efficiency & zero waste. My public administration experience ensures that I can lead the Court with both the technical expertise to manage & the common sense to serve our families well.
From my time as Geauga County’s Juvenile Court Prosecutor, I know that in Juvenile Court, the stakes are nothing less than a child’s future. Throughout my years handling cases in Juvenile Court, I worked closely with dedicated CASA staff and trained volunteers who provided advocacy and stable adult presences to numerous Geauga County children in crisis. Further, I believe that a well-run, apolitical CASA program is a cornerstone of a fiscally responsible and effective court.
If elected, I will keep an open mind and will carry out my adjudicative duties faithfully and impartially. My priority will be the safety and stability of our children, a goal I share with CASA. Continuing this program is essential.
Rule 4.1(A)(5)-(6) of Ohio's Rules of Judicial Conduct unfortunately prohibit judicial candidates from answering this question, as the Geauga Park District ("GPD") is under Probate Court Case No. 13092.
That said, as an Assistant Geauga County Prosecutor, I worked closely with township clients on park district issues, including in the formation of a new park district. At the Geauga County Auditor’s Office, we had many challenges relating to GPD & its finances, challenges that my distinct experiences--in legal compliance, contractual issues, human resources, property law, & fiscal and budgetary issues--uniquely position me to fix. I will keep an open mind and will carry out my adjudicative duties faithfully and impartially if elected.
While the Rules of Judicial Conduct give candidates leeway to discus "judicial organization,
administration, and court management," this question falls in a gray area ethically, as the Probate Judge's authority is in appointing or removing GPD Board members. A candidate's answer to this question could be read as violating Rule 4.1(A)(5)-(6).
That said, as the Auditor's Chief Compliance Officer & Administrator, I have 1st-hand knowledge about events leading to GPD's separation from our financial & IT services. Similarly, I have 1st-hand knowledge about the value of Geauga County financial & IT services, as both fall under the Auditor. I will keep an open mind and will carry out my adjudicative duties faithfully and impartially if elected.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Montana; Juris Doctor from the University of Akron School of Law
Experience
Child Protective Services Social Worker for 2 years; Law Clerk for the Geauga County Prosecutor's Office for 4 years; Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Geauga County for 6 years; Magistrate for Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court for the past 8 years
Volunteer/Community Service
I provide pro bono legal services; I am a long-time volunteer at my children's school and PTO member; I regularly visit and assist at a group home for women with mental illness
The role of the Probate/Juvenile Court Judge is about protecting children, elderly, and legally incompetent individuals. It is about shepherding families through difficult situations while providing a strong, stable, and firm environment where problems are resolved. I have served the Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court as a magistrate for the past 8 years, and have managed a diverse docket of probate and juvenile matters. I am the only candidate with judicial experience. It is impossible to gain the knowledge, training, and experience required of a judge overnight. It takes time, dedication, and passion. I have demonstrated my unwavering commitment to this Court, and would be honored to lead this Court forward as the next Judge.
While in college at the University of Montana, I completed the Montana State Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program, which included a 400-hour practicum with the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child and Family Services, during which time I worked closely with families involved in the child welfare system. After graduation, I worked as a Child Protective Services Social Worker for the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child and Family Services, in the Ongoing/Intervention Unit for 2 years prior to attending law school. I worked directly with children and families involved in the child welfare and court systems by providing intensive case management services.
The dedicated volunteers who comprise the CASA for Kids of Geauga County program serve as guardians ad litem for children involved in the court system. Utilizing these trained volunteers in certain cases saves the county and taxpayers a significant amount of money by not having to pay attorneys to serve as guardians ad litem in all cases. More importantly is what the program and the volunteers do for the children of Geauga County. The volunteers give children a voice in court; they advocate for children; they act in the best interest of children. They demonstrate a level of caring, consistency, and support that a lot of children have never experienced before. I believe the CASA program should continue to be utilized.
If elected, I will appoint the most qualified candidates after receiving public comment and recommendations from the board. I believe the Park Board should represent diverse constituents of the county at large, and contain members who possess the specialized knowledge and skill sets necessary to best serve the Park District. The Probate Court Judge’s role is to appoint commissioners, not to dictate the policies or operations of the Park Board.
It seems as though the current financial and IT services in place serve the park system well. However, if consolidating these services with the county would produce significant cost savings while prioritizing the best interest of the Park District, that certainly deserves meaningful consideration. Ultimately, these are decisions to be made by the Park Board - not the Probate Judge.
