VOTE411 Voter Guide

Eighth District Court of Appeals, December 14, 2020 to present

As a judge on the court of appeals, I hear direct appeals of matters originally decided in a trial court. Three judges who have been randomly assigned sit on each panel. In preparation for oral arguments, I read and analyze the briefs submitted by the parties, along with the legal authority (case law, statutes, ordinances, regulations) governing the matter. I also analyze the evidence that was before the trial court. After oral arguments, I confer with the other panel members to decide the matter. If the parties waive oral argument, we confer on the date the oral argument would have been heard. Then, I set about to prepare an opinion or to review opinions drafted by another panel member. Where we are unable to reach concensus on either the analysis or the outcome, I draft a concurring in judgment only opinion or dissent, as appropriate. In addition, my court regularly reviews requests for en banc consideration, as well as original actions, such as writs of mandamus, procedendo and prohibition.

I had the honor of sitting by assignment on the Ohio Supreme Court when one of the justices needed to recuse from a case.

The depth and breadth of my knowledge of the law, coupled with my understanding of the impact legal decisions have on clients, provides the right mix of experience to interpret and apply the law fairly and justly as a justice on the Ohio Supreme Court.

For 27 years I practiced law in trial and appeals courts all over Ohio, helping clients resolve disputes ranging from complex business litigation to consumer class actions to legal malpractice claims to trust and estate disputes, and more. I have represented clients in legal disputes ranging from a complex business dispute involving a $40 million indemnification claim to helping a daughter and her stepmother divide the father's assets (and ashes) after he died. Representing individuals and businesses in a wide variety of disputes gave me deep understanding of substantive and procedural law.

I saw first hand the impact legal decisions have on parties. The first appeal I argued resulted in reversal of the trial court and entry of judgment in my client's favor. After years of litigating and a devastating jury verdict, my client was in dire straits because the trial court had not applied the law correctly. The court of appeals fixed the mistake and changed my cleint's life. I saw firsthand the importance of the court of appeals.

While in private practice, I dedicated myself to learning the intricacies of the law and understanding the impact the law has on our communities. I regularly wrote and spoke on developments in the law.

I am running for the Ohio Supreme Court because I want to do my part to ensure that the Ohio Supreme Court is an effective firewall protecting our democracy and the rule of law. I have the expertise in the law, experience in our community, and work ethic to bring the intellectual rigor and common sense to the Court, so that our laws are applied fairly and equitably.

Ohio needs a new justice who will stand up for all Ohioans and stand firm against political pressure. My respect for and knowledge of the intricacies of the law would enhance the work of the court.

When I ran for the Court of Appeals four years ago, I believed the greatest issue courts faced was the erosion of respect for the institution. That concern has only grown in the time I have been on the bench. In particular, partisanship has come to be accepted to explain the outcome of any particular case – not justice, not fair application of the law, not reasoned analysis.

If elected to the Ohio Supreme Court, I will commit myself to the fair and just application of the law without regard to any agenda. That includes how I will assess which cases the Court should take in for consideration, as well as how I will draft substantive opinions.

Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court | 2013-2021

I presided over and issued rulings in bench trials and hearings for division of assets for divorce, dissolution, custody, child support, post-decree motions, contempt hearings, civil protection orders, objections to magistrate's decisions, termination of parental rights, delinquency probable cause hearings, motions in limine, while meeting timeliness requirements of the Supreme Court.

Court of Appeals, Tenth District | 2021-present

As an intermediate level appellate judge, preside over appeals from all lower trial courts, municipal, common pleas, and county courts, to hear applications for writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, procedendo, prohibition and quo warranto. The Tenth District Court of Appeals in Franklin County, where I'm currently a judge, also hears appeals from the Ohio Court of Claims lawsuits against the State of Ohio.

I owned and managed a multi-line insurance agency for 16 years. In that capacity, I hired, trained, and developed staff, managed and reconciled receipts, negotiated contracts for office space, phone systems, computer equipment, and grew a book of business while maintaining quality. I have great people skills that translate into treating litigants with empathy, dignity and respect. I have active listening skills that developed from listening to potential clients to be sure that I was meeting their policy needs. These skills translate to administrating the court, reviewing budgets, job descriptions, and managing staff.

I was an extern with the Civil Rights Section of the Attorney General's Office. In that capacity, I learned how to review a case file, prepare it for court, and drafted the discovery documents to illicit information. I developed a critical eye in reviewing facts, witness statements, and analysis of the law and facts.

I was a hearing officer intern for the Bureau of State Hearings while in law school hearing appeals for Job and Family Services OWF benefits. As an intermittent for the State of Ohio, UCRC Hearing Officer, I conducted administrative law hearings to determine whether an individual is entitled to unemployment benefits at the appeals level pursuant to Administrative Rule 3301-73-09.

I'm running to preserve and strengthen the Court’s Constitutionally granted status as an independent and co-equal branch of state government, and to use my seat on the Supreme Court to ensure that the promise of “Equal Justice Under Law” becomes a reality for all Ohioans. I believe in public service, democracy and have experience in courts around the state of Ohio, U. S. District Court, Southern District, and have served on two courts in Ohio with the largest dockets, and I am prepared for this job. I've been appointed to sit on the Supreme Court and understand the immense responsibility and purpose in the position.

The importance of an independent Court has been demonstrated. It is imperative that a justice that believes strongly in democracy and the impartiality of the court is elected to the court. The court is the keeper of the scales, the check and balance on other branches of government.

In the years ahead, weighty issues will come before the Court. The judicial philosophy, beliefs, and principles of the justices who hear thosecases will determine their outcome and shape the society in which we live. The Court’s power to profoundly impact the lives of Ohioans has too often beenoverlooked and undervalued. We can't let that happen this year.

I've received a Doctorate in Community Leadership, hon. causa.; serve numerous professional and community organizations, a Blood Ambassador for Red Cross; and founder of Judge Terri Jamison Scholarship for Single Parents.