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About.
I have served as a Common Pleas Judge since 2022. I look forward to earning this position again in the 2024 election. It is truly an honor to serve the citizens of Summit County. Over 20 years ago, I began my career as a JAG Lieutenant in the US Navy and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. As a JAG Lieutenant (Judge Advocate General’s Corp), I represented Sailors and Marines in sensitive cases ranging from murder to distributing narcotics and everything in between.
As a civilian, I worked as a corporate litigation attorney in a large firm, and as an attorney in private practice as a solo practitioner. Most recently, I served as a magistrate at the Akron Municipal Court, hearing and making decisions on 100s of cases every week. In that role, I coordinated eviction hearings processes, wrote decisions, managed an extensive civil docket and presided over criminal arraignments. I’m also extremely proud to have served with Judge Ron Cable as a “Connect” Developmental Disability Court Advisory Board member.
Today.
I am proud to currently serve on the Court of Common Pleas. Elected in the fall of 2022, I was immediately sworn in to office to fill an unexpired term ending January 1, 2025. My priorities on the bench include ensuring timely justice, continuing to make the courts accessible to all, providing timely and professional responses to all parties who appear before me, and working with partners to address job-related stress in the courtroom.
Family.
Along with my legal and military career, I’m a tireless advocate for the disability community.
I have served as the Akron area coordinator for Buddy Up Tennis, a national nonprofit that offers exercise and tennis opportunities for those with Down syndrome for the past 10 years.
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I received the Women of Achievement Award from the Women’s Network Leadership Institute in 2024. In 2024 I was honored as a New Executive Leader by Leadership Akron. I was honored as a 2022 Women of Distinction Honoree by the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. In 2024, I was appointed to a four year term on the Child Fatality Review Board by County Executive Ilene Shapiro.
Currently, I serve on the Ohio State Bar Foundation Grants Committee, and I am also working with the OSBF to host an Akron Volunteer event for attorneys to provide community support. Locally, I am working with the Akron Bar Association to plan the 2024 Bench Bar Conference. My family and I are active members of St. Hilary Parish where I serve as a lector.