Judge Anjanette A. Whitman was sworn in as the new Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court judge on July 26. Ohio Supreme Court Justice Terrence O’Donnell administered the oath to Judge Whitman in the front lobby of the new Juvenile Justice Center in Cleveland.

Judge Whitman was appointed to the vacant position on June 8 by Gov. John R. Kasich. She replaced former Judge Peter Sikora who died April 18. Judge Witman must run in November’s general election to retain the seat for the unexpired term which ends December 31, 2016.

“My swearing-in ceremony was much more than the administration of an oath,” Judge Whitman said. “It was a grand event that brought together people in the many circles of my life that have contributed to the realization of a professional goal becoming a reality that will allow me to give back to the community in one of the highest ways imaginable.

“Having Justice O'Donnell, who is one of my fellow Rocky River residents, administer the oath along with having my family, friends, Juvenile Court colleagues and Magnificat Cross Country ladies and their parents all present made the evening perfect,” Judge Whitman continued. “After serving as an attorney specifically in the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court for 11 years, I am honored to have been appointed by Governor Kasich to be the newest member of the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Judiciary. I take this responsibility seriously for it affects the integrity of the families throughout Cuyahoga County.”

She served on more than 900 cases focusing on the application of juvenile law in private practice. Judge Whitman was also involved in the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Family Drug Court for more than 7 years, and she served on the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Guardian ad Litem Project Broad from 2005-2008.

Judge Whitman received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and earned her law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She resides in Rocky River with her husband, Keith, and step-son Brendan.