This article is part of the 2025 General Election Voters' Guide produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area.
Cynthia Curtin
Nonpartisan
Campaign email address: curtin4judge@gmail.com
Previous public office: Chairman and Vice Chairman Hudson Planning Commission
Website: curtin4judge.com
Education: J.D., Cleveland Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, OH; B.S. Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; Hudson High School
Training/experience: Actual judicial experience as a sitting judge. Had over 35 years of litigation experience representing individuals, small businesses, national retailers and national insurers. Experienced in jury trials, appellate argument, handling cases involving motor vehicle liability, premises liability, product liability, property damage, construction, zoning, insurance coverage, worker’s comp, SIU, EUO, estate planning and probate cases. Practiced in Municipal, Common Pleas, Appellate and Federal Courts throughout Ohio. Experience also included mediation, arbitration, settlement negotiation. Prior to becoming judge, was an attorney with Perez Morris in Cleveland. Prior to 2023, owned and managed a certified woman owned law firm in Akron.
What judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I am presently a sitting judge handling the court’s docket. Prior to becoming a judge, I had over 35 years of litigation experience as a trial lawyer with courtroom experience. I understand the workings of the court, the roles of the judge and the jury. I have firsthand experience in jury trials, mediation, arbitration and settlement negotiation, which are all necessary traits for a judge. My legal experience spanned a variety of legal subjects, broadening my knowledge of the law. Having represented individuals, small businesses and large corporations, I can easily communicate with people from varying backgrounds. Plus, I speak Spanish am able to assist our Spanish speaking defendants. Finally, I have practical experience having owned and managed a small business, a certified woman owned law firm. Simply put, I have a lifetime of legal experience which qualifies me to be a judge.
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I was appointed to fulfill an unexpired term to the end of the year, so I am running for a new term. The Court needs a mature, experienced trial lawyer, and I fit that need. I have a lifetime of experience to bring to the bench, which makes me the strongest candidate. I have lived in Hudson for nearly 50 years, so I am very familiar with the jurisdiction. My children are married, and I am now widowed, so I have the time to focus on serving the community as a judge. The time is right personally and professionally.
Amber Zibritosky
Nonpartisan
Campaign email address: amberz4judge@gmail.com
Previous public office: Currently serving as the Clerk of Courts for the Stow Municipal Court (elected in 2019 and 2021); previously served as the Law Director and Chief Prosecutor for the City of Stow (elected in 2015)
Website: www.VoteAmberZ.com
Education: J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law; BA from Miami University; Hudson High School
Facebook: www.facebook.com/VoteAmberZ
Training/experience: Licensed attorney for 15 years. I have devoted my entire career to the practice of criminal and municipal law in the public sector. As a former Chief Prosecutor, I supervised the prosecution of thousands of cases, obtaining convictions at trial and defending them on appeal. I am also an accomplished manager certificated in Lean Government Management and currently in the process of obtaining my Certified Court Manager accreditation from the Ohio Supreme Court. With over 50 endorsements and the highest rating of Excellent from the Akron Bar Association, I am the qualified choice for Judge.
What judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
With nearly 15 years of experience working at the Stow Municipal Court, I am uniquely qualified to be Judge.
As a former Chief Prosecutor, I supervised thousands of criminal cases, secured countless convictions at trial, and defended dozens more on appeal. I am ready to hear our Court’s most serious cases and can be trusted to keep our community safe. As the current Clerk of Courts, I am intimately familiar with the Court’s operations, policies, finances and personnel. With only two Judges elected to handle 20,000 cases annually, a multi- million dollar budget, and a staff of over 20 people, our next Judge also needs to be an experienced public administrator. I am the only candidate with the right mix of relevant legal and administrative experience to lead and strengthen our Court.
Finally, I am the only candidate with a rating of EXCELLENT from the Akron Bar Association and the endorsement of over 50 elected officials and attorneys in recognition of my superior qualifications.
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
This election is the first in nearly a generation for our Court where both candidates are seeking election to the bench for the first time. Regardless of its outcome, it will usher in a new era of leadership at our Court and set the course for its future. With 15 years of experience at the Court, I know what must improve and how to make it happen. For instance, I see it at the Court everyday, addiction is driving far too many cases. Jail and fines alone are not working. As Judge, I plan to start Stow’s first drug court to address the underlying cause of addiction. This will reduce recidivism and make our community safer and stronger. I also plan to improve residents access to justice by partnering with community organizations to host legal clinics and modernizing our operations to increase transparency. As a career public servant, I am the only candidate with a proven track record of success working towards those objectives already and can be trusted to keep my word.