Occupation
Judge
Education
B.A. Ohio State University, 2003; J.D. Capital University Law School, 2006
Experience
Judge of the Hamilton County Municipal Court, 2015-current; Law Director of Norwood, 2012-2015; Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor, 2008-2015; Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor, 2007-2008; associate, law office of Robert F. Krapenc & J. Scott Weisman, 2006-2007.
Endorsements
Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police, Queen City Lodge 69; Cincinnati Fire Fighters Local 48; Teamsters Local 100; Brad Wenstrup; Hamilton County Republican Party
Political Party Affiliation
Republican
Over 10 years on the bench, I’ve earned a reputation as a judge who always follows the law, treats people fairly, & works diligently to keep our community safe. A proper temperament is essential. I keep a calm & professional demeanor always. This is critical because people come to court in difficult, emotional circumstances. Every case & individual is unique. A judge cannot please everyone, but I can ensure that everyone feels heard & respected.
“Equal & exact justice for all…” Every case & individual is unique. All who come before the court, whether as litigants, witnesses, jurors, attorneys, or employees, are entitled to equal justice under the law. It is essential that the judge approach each case with an open mind & remain as free as humanly possible from bias, prejudice, or sympathy of any kind. Judges are also bound by federal law regarding employment; Courts may not consider race, ethnicity, or gender for any purpose when hiring.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer called Hamilton County Municipal Court "a model of equal justice & efficiency." We resolve more cases faster, & with fewer judges, than any comparably sized Ohio court. I'm proud of my record as a judge who does the work efficiently but fairly, respecting the time of all involved in a case. As our court's Presiding Judge, I am leading the transition to digital judgment entries. This will reduce the time & work needed to provide necessary access to court records.
In 2025 a unanimous Ohio Supreme Court struck down the blanket removal of older eviction records from the clerk’s website. The high court held that the sealing of records is a judicial function & may be done only based on the specific facts of a particular case. The Court held that under Ohio’s constitution, courtrooms & court records are presumed open to the public & should remain open in the most accessible means available unless evidence is produced which demonstrates a need to seal records.
Occupation
Criminal Defense Attorney
Education
Ohio University Ohio University - Bachelor of Arts: Political Science and Government & University of Cincinnati College of Law - JD
Experience
I have spent my legal career representing and advocating for marginalized individuals. During law school, I worked with the Ohio Justice & Policy Center, where I focused on indigent criminal defense and providing opportunities for individuals who had been involved in the criminal justice system. I later worked as the Training Director and as a staff attorney for the Office of the Hamilton County Public Defender. Since 2020, I have worked in private practice, where I continue to take appointed cases for indigent defendants and often assist individuals in a pro bono capacity.
Endorsements
Although this particular race is non-partisan, I have been endorsed by the Hamilton County Democratic Party. I have also received endorsements from the Hamilton County Sheriff, the Cincinnati Women’s Political Caucus and the AFL-CIO.
Affiliations
Cincinnati Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, former board member, current member.
Political Philosophy
I believe the government exists to serve its citizens and represent their interests. In the context of the judiciary, this means having judges who will follow both the letter and the spirit of the law with fairness, equality and integrity.
Political Party Affiliation
Democrat
I have spent my entire legal career practicing in the Hamilton County courts. As the former Training Director at the Office of the Hamilton County Public Defender and adjunct professor at both of the local law schools, I have trained countless attorneys and law students to provide legal representation that is grounded in the law and the Constitution. Both professionally and personally, I strive to conduct myself with integrity and to treat all people with dignity.
Attorneys who have experience representing clients of diverse backgrounds bring a unique perspective and awareness of biases and inequities in the judicial system to the bench. Ultimately, I think the best approach to addressing these issues is to implement a system that effectively captures and utilizes data regarding sentencing, charging, outcomes and other datasets for different racial and ethnic groups involved in the legal system.
I would implement staggered start times for the criminal docket to minimize the amount of time that witnesses, victims, defendants and police officers wait in the courtroom for their cases to be heard. Moreover, I am interested in investing in the technology necessary to fully digitalize the work of the Municipal Court. The court will be better positioned to assess and utilize data regarding bond and sentencing disparities and ultimately create transparency and save taxpayer dollars.
I would support the removal of dismissed eviction records from the clerk of courts website. In the same way that Ohio law provides for the sealing or expungement of certain criminal offenses, I would support implementing a local process by which individuals can apply to have certain eviction cases removed.
