Occupation
Attorney
Education
Graduated with Honors from Chicago-Kent College of Law
Experience
38 years as a trial and appellate lawyer. One of the founders of the Ohio Innocence Project, Public Defender Commissioner. Founder and Executive Director of a 501(C)(3) "Friends to the Inidgent." Former member of the Ohio Sentencing Commission and Adjunct Faculty Member at the Univeristy of Cincinnati Law School. Activist on issues of the Death Penalty, Racial Justice, and Bail Reform.
Political Philosophy
Progressive Liberal
Political Party Affiliation
Democrat
I have a plan to increase the diversity in our jury pools to reflect the county's demographics
Improve accessibility to the court system and courthouse for parties, witnesses, jurors, victims and visitors
To take a more "hands on" approach to managing the court's docket, both civil and criminal.
Occupation
Judge, Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. Presiding Judge, Hamilton County Veterans Treatment Court.
Education
Graduate of St. Xavier High School. B.A. International Affairs, Xavier University; J.D., University of Cincinnati College of Law.
Experience
Judge, Hamilton County Common Pleas Court 1/2021-present; Presiding & Administrative Judge 2023; Presiding Judge, Veterans Treatment Court 2025 - present. Chief of Compliance, Hamilton Co. Clerk of Courts 2/2017 - 12/2020. Managing Attorney, Cinti. Reg. Office of Ohio Attorney General 5/2009- 2/2017. Co-Managing Attorney, Cinti. Reg. Office of Ohio Attorney General 11/2007 -5/2009. Special Asst. US Attorney SD of Ohio 6/2009 – 2/2017. Special Asst. US Attorney ND of Ohio 6/2006 – 11/2007. Cuyahoga Co. Major Trial Prosecutor 1/2006 – 11/2007. Cuyahoga Co. Community Based Prosecutor 1/2005 – 1/2006. Cuyahoga Co. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney 10/2001 – 1/2005.
Endorsements
Hamilton County Democratic Party, Planned Parenthood, Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus, Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich, Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, Hamilton County Auditor Jessica Miranda, Hamilton County Treasurer Jill Schiller, Hamilton County Recorder Scott Crowley, Ohio State Senator Catherine Ingram, Ohio State Representatives Rachel Baker, Karen Brownlee, and Cecil Thomas, Vice Mayor of Cincinnati Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, Councilmember Anna Albi, retired Judge Ann Marie Tracey, former Ohio Treasurer and Attorney General Richard Cordray.
Affiliations
Past President, Cincinnati Bar Association (CBA) 2021-2022; 2023-2024 President, CBA 2020-2021. President Elect, CBA 2019-2020. Vice President, CBA 2018-2019. Secretary, CBA 2017-2018. Trustee, CBA 2013-2017. Trustee, Ohio Legal Help 2022. Member, Hamilton Co. Justice Reform Commission 2007-2010. Parishioner, Bellarmine Chapel. Member, Cincinnati Chapter NAACP. Coach, UC College of Law Mock Trial Team 2013-2016. Board Member, Southeast Cinti Soccer Association 2017-2019. Coach, Youth Soccer. Coach, Little League Baseball.
Political Philosophy
The judiciary should serve as an independent voice. The judiciary should be the product of a profession that rights wrongs and seeks justice. And, the judiciary should serve as a check on government excess, a check on the powerful, and protect the rights of everyone. It is my promise to do so. Hamilton County deserves the best judiciary to confront the challenging issues of today with equality and compassion but ensure the rule of law continues.
Political Party Affiliation
Endorsed Candidate, Hamilton County Democratic Party
I was elected to the Hamilton Co. Court of Common Pleas in 2020. I have presided over 4000 cases since 2021 and also preside over the Veterans Treatment Court docket. I was the Trial Judge of the Year in 2023 by the SW Ohio Trial Lawyers Assn.
Specialty courts offer a proven and practical strategy to reduce recidivism by addressing the underlying causes of criminal behavior rather than simply punishing it. I would like to add a specialty court to handle domestic violence cases that will not only address intimate partner violence, but will prioritize victim safety and bring offender accountability. We need to also build upon the public's trust in a fair and impartial judiciary through town halls and civic engagements with the public.
