Access to justice must be available to all. As a judge, I would have the opportunity to ensure that this happens both in how I manage the daily docket and how we enhance the Shaker Heights Municipal Court process. I bring my wealth of legal experience as a judicial staff attorney, magistrate, and now court resource center manager to drive this effort.  I have the opportunity to make real and lasting changes to how the court is perceived by those who come before it. 

I am firmly committed to continuing my career of public service locally. My proven track record of resolving disputes is a strength that I bring to the judicial role. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty. My approach has always been “hands-on.” which is especially important in a municipal court. I am approachable and willing to work as long as necessary so that disputes are resolved and the community is satisfied.

While the order appointing me as a magistrate in March 2015 is still valid ( I continue to file my annual financial disclosure and keep current on the additional continuing education requirements) I have not heard a case as a magistrate since I opened the Court Resource Center in October 2019. It would be improper to help someone navigate the court system, and then be the person deciding their case.

The Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct and the Supreme Court of Ohio encourage attorneys to contribute our professional time and effort toward closing the access to justice gap. I have taken this challenge to heart throughout my career. In fact, I am so passionate about this need that I created the Court Resource Center at the Court of Common Pleas. Since we opened in October 2019 and despite the pandemic, we have served hundreds of self-represented litigants in civil matters. In addition, I volunteered at many Legal Aid Brief Advice Clinics at various locations including the libraries and at Fairhill Partners. I also volunteer through the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s Cleveland Homeless Legal Assistance Program as well at Record-Sealing Clinics.

My resume lists many of the presentations I have made. After I completed new magistrate training in the spring of 2015, the Ohio Judicial College asked me to assist in planning and creating their annual curriculum for judges and magistrates. Besides teaching and presenting to attorneys, judges and magistrates, I also participated in the CMBA-sponsored 3Rs program, teaching civic education to high school students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and at Shaw High School. This work was so rewarding, that I also joined the CMBA’s Stokes Scholars internship program. In this program, I serve on the organizing committee, host scholars in my Resource Center, and serve as one of the Justice Center hosts for the program. Young people are our future… and it is never too early to invest in them.