No. to be elected: 1 | Salary: $191,089 | Term: 6 yearsResponsibilities: Hears all cases involving questions arising under the Ohio Constitution or statutes; hears appeals from Courts of Appeals decisions. The Ohio Supreme Court's decisions are final except in cases involving the U.S Constitution, statutes, or treaties.
Training and Experience
Justice, Supreme Court of Ohio, elected 2020; Judge, Tenth District Court of Appeals, 2014 – 2021; Judge, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, 2000 – 2005; Secretary of State of Ohio, January 2007 – 2011; private law practice, 3/1987 – 12/2000, 9/2005 - 1/2007, 1/2011 - 12/2014.
Volunteer/Community Service
Past Board Member, Center for Community Solutions, Cleveland (2013 to 2019); Past Board Chair/Member, Legacy Fund of Central Ohio (2012 to 2021); OxFam America, Ambassador (2014-2021); various local and state government boards (1991-2021).
Supreme Court of Ohio, Justice (2021-Present); Ohio Appellate Judge - 10th District Court of Appeals (2014-2020), Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Court (2000-2005), founder of Treatment is Essential to Success (TIES) felony drug court in 2004, still in operation; International Governance and Rule of Law Experience to National Center for State Courts for Serbian Ministry of Justice and misdemeanor judges (2012-2013); conducted training onsite for Sri Lanka Bar Association (2015); USAID observer of 3 elections in Egypt, working with judges who supervised elections (2014-2015); remote volunteer for American Bar Association (ABA) for NGOs in Kazakhstan, producing video training for civil society advocacy, and onsite consultant to Benin Human Rights Commission for ABA (2022).
As Ohio’s first woman Secretary of State (2007-2011), I served as the state’s chief election officer and supervised the state’s 88 bipartisan county boards of elections; promulgated rules and issued directives and instructions for the fair conduct of elections in Ohio. I oversaw a staff of 200 and was personally involved in settling litigation issues on election administration regarding the 2008 Obama election. I received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, the nation’s most prestigious award for elected public servants, for what Caroline Kennedy called, “dauntless commitment to the enfranchisement of every Ohio voter."
Ruth Bader Ginsburg's 2016 book, In My Own Words, inspired me to understand just how focused she was on improving the lives of women and on equality, even before she was an attorney, judge or U.S. Supreme Court Justice. She also understood that collegiality among her colleagues was essential to forging a path to accomplish her goals. As the only Democrat on the Ohio Supreme Court, I understand that and have worked to develop relationships that help me to contribute to Ohio law so that rule of law may stay strong and justice for all be more than an idea.
My judicial philosophy is based in fairness, equality and respect. The rule of law exists to provide fairness in human endeavors, which allows individuals to live peaceably among one another with predictability, safety and a springboard for their individual pursuit of happiness. In a democracy bound to the rule of law, it is inherently recognized by members of such a society that there is something greater than themselves in the law to help all people govern their own affairs. When the keepers of the rule of law of that society remember that they work in service to the people, the law works to the good of the people and their freedoms.
I believe that we must continue to improve access to justice through legal reform initiatives. That is why I have advocated for the use of technology to improve court efficiency and accessibility.
Commitment to diversity and inclusion within the judiciary also requires vigilance in making sure our courts reflect the diversity in our state.
Finally, I believe that public confidence in the independence of our courts is imperative. Justice requires fairness, access and rule of law in decision making. It is neither red nor blue. It is and should be above the fray of politics.
