Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon L. Kennedy.

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon L. Kennedy.

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon L. Kennedy has received an achievement award from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Justice Kennedy graduated with her law degree from U.C. in 1991. On May 17, she was presented with the 2014 Nicholas Longworth III, Alumni Achievement Award during the law college’s graduation ceremony.

During the presentation Justice Kennedy remarked upon the many influences in her life that enabled her to receive such an award.

“The achievements that this award represents are not mine alone, but are shared with my family and friends, the College of Law, and this graduating class,” Justice Kennedy said.  “Like many of you, my family and friends have supported my every journey, and the College of Law, through the gift of education, has afforded me an endless list of possibilities.”

The award is given annually by the graduating class to recognize past graduates for their outstanding contributions, and is named in honor of Nicholas Longworth, a distinguished graduate of the College of Law who served as representative to the U.S. Congress, including House Speaker. Justice Kennedy is one of 30 people to have received the award.

Justice Kennedy also charged the new law graduates to maintain the high standard of excellence they had been taught.

“I will rely upon each of you to advance our noble profession through honorable means,” she said. “To use your time and talent for the betterment of people, to preserve our personal liberty and freedom, and to respect and support the rule of law. Collectively, we will all benefit from your personal achievements.”

Justice Kennedy is serving her first term on the Supreme Court. Justice Kennedy served as the Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division administrative judge from 2005 until December 2012. She began her career in the justice system as a police officer in Hamilton, Ohio.

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