Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon L. Kennedy receives the Award of Excellence from Butler County Bar Association President Thomas B. Allen on behalf of bar members.

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon L. Kennedy receives the Award of Excellence from Butler County Bar Association President Thomas B. Allen on behalf of bar members.

The Butler County Bar Association recently awarded Justice Sharon L. Kennedy with the Award of Excellence. Justice Kennedy was recognized by her fellow Butler County Bar Association members for her service to the local community and for being the first justice from Butler County to be elected to the Ohio Supreme Court in more than 150 years.

The last and only justice elected to the Ohio Supreme Court from Butler County was Josiah Scott, who took his seat for his elected term on February 9, 1857. One other justice from Butler County was appointed to the court in 1947 but lost his bid for a full term a year later.

Justice Kennedy accepted the award from Butler County Bar Association President Thomas B. Allen on behalf of the members on January 24. Allen said the Award of Excellence is an exceptional honor as it’s handed out only when the Butler County Bar Association Board of Trustees believes a member deserves special recognition. Allen said it’s been at least four years since it was last awarded.

“I am humbled at the recognition the trustees of the bar association have bestowed upon me,” Justice Kennedy said. “For 27 years I have served in the local community; professionally as a police officer, practicing attorney, and judge and personally as a member of various community boards and outreach programs.  It is wonderful to have ones accomplishments and work recognized.”

Justice Kennedy is serving her first term on the Supreme Court of Ohio. Prior to joining the Supreme Court, Justice Kennedy served at the Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division since 1999. She served as the administrative judge there from 2005 until December 2012. Justice Kennedy began her career in the justice system as a police officer in Hamilton, Ohio. She received her law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

For a high-resolution, print-quality photo of Justice Kennedy, visit: https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/docs/images/justices/kennedy_highres.jpg.