This article is part of the Voters Guide produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area.
To learn more about the judicial candidates, visit Judicial Votes Count.
Steve Elliott
Democrat
Campaign Email: steveelliottforjudge@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SElliottForJudge
Education: BA in Sociology, Bowling Green State University 1992 – 1996, Specialty in Criminology; Juris Doctor, University of Akron School of Law 2000 – 2003
Training / Experience: Chief Magistrate Summit County Probate Court – January 2023 to Present; Magistrate Summit County Probate Court July 2021 – January 2023; Magistrate and Court Investigator Summit County Probate Court October 2018 – July 2021; Ohio Adult Parole Authority December 2016 – October 2018; Practicing Trial Attorney in Summit County 2003 – 2018; Central Intelligence Agency Federal Officer November 1998 – August 2000; Ohio Adult Parole Authority February 1997 – November 1998
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
January 2023 to Present – Chief Magistrate Summit County Probate Court
October 2018 to January 2023 – Magistrate Summit County Probate Court
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
For 15 years as a practicing attorney, I appeared in courts of appeals in Ohio and in criminal and civil matters in trial courts throughout Ohio, California, Missouri, Alabama, and Illinois. As a lawyer I handled commercial and real estate litigation. I also helped families in estate planning and probate law.
In each case, I guided clients through an often-confusing process. An important aspect of legal representation is being able to clearly and concisely communicate orally and in writing. I honed those skills as a practitioner, and my ability to write professional and complete motions, briefs and other documents has prepared me to do the same as a court of appeals judge.
My years of experience as a law enforcement officer led me to analyze and understand people. At the CIA in Langley, Virginia, I oversaw security operations, interviewed people and investigated potential threats to the CIA and the United States, receiving the SEE COMPLETE RESPONSE AT WWW.JUDICIALVOTESCOUNT.ORG
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
Service to my community informs my entire professional career and personal life. As a judge, I can continue this service. Court of appeals judges have the unique opportunity to ensure that decisions made by trial courts are legally correct so that people are treated equally, and in a fair and consistent manner. The court of appeals sets precedent that must be followed and my experience on the bench has prepared me to make these important decisions.
As a Magistrate in Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer’s Probate Court I have extensive experience dealing with family and complex legal issues that arise after someone dies. I apply the case law and statutes to make fair, just, impartial, and honest decisions that follow the law. This problem-solving experience has prepared me to take the next step in my judicial career.
I still believe that politics has seeped into our Judiciary. I reject that. As a judge, I want to ensure that our judicial SEE COMPLETE RESPONSE AT WWW.JUDICIALVOTESCOUNT.ORG
Jennifer Hensal
Republican
Campaign Email: judgejenniferhensal@gmail.com
Campaign website: www.JudgeHensal.com
Education: J.D. University of Toledo, College of Law; B.A. University of Akron
Training / Experience: Appellate Judge, Ohio Court of Appeals, Ninth Appellate District; Visiting Judge, Ohio Supreme Court; Prosecutor, City of Wadsworth and City of Medina; Assistant Director of Law, City of Wadsworth, Village of Seville and Village of Lodi; Private practice of law counseling corporate, public, and individual clients in state and federal litigation both in and out of the State of Ohio; Court appointed guardian; lecturer and educator at various locations; Administrative Judge, Ninth District; Presiding Judge, Ninth District.
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Ohio Court of Appeals, Ninth District, 2013 to present
Ohio Supreme Court Visiting Judge, various
Ohio Court of Appeals, various districts outside the Ninth at various times
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
Before becoming a judge on the Ninth District Court of Appeals, I gained valuable experience practicing in various trial courts and courts of appeals. I have a wide ranging legal background. My experiences prior to becoming a judge include prosecuting criminal matters; acting as an advocate for children, the disabled, and the elderly; participating in the creation of law as a municipal lawyer; guiding clients through difficult family matters in the domestic, juvenile, and probate courts; counseling public entities, individuals and businesses in a wide range of business, corporate and real estate matters. I believe that a Judge must not be a specialist, but have a background of knowledge in all areas that may come before the Court. I have taken my skills as a practicing attorney to the bench for the swift and proper administration of justice.
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am running for re-election to the seat I currently hold on the Ohio Court of Appeals in the Ninth Appellate District so that I may continue to lead the court in various capacities, add value to the State of Ohio through my service on the Ohio Supreme Court and my continued participation in the Ohio Judicial College committees and most importantly, continue in the proper administration of the cases that come before the Court of Appeals for the Ninth District.
