C. Chris Amato

C. Chris Amato

A northeast Ohio attorney becomes a first-time judge on Monday. Gov. John Kasich appointed Wellsville resident C. Chris Amato to serve on the Columbiana County Municipal Court.

Amato must win in the November 2015 election to retain his seat for the remainder of the unexpired term, which ends Jan. 1, 2020. He’s replacing Judge Carol A. Robb, who was elected to the Seventh District Court of Appeals bench in November.

“It’s an honor that Gov. Kasich put his trust and faith in me to replace Judge Carol Robb,” Amato said. “I will be fair and impartial to anybody who comes before me regardless of who they are.”

Prior to his appointment, Amato defended mental health patients at East Liverpool City Hospital. He has also worked as the Northwest Area Court, now known as Columbiana County Municipal Court, assistant county prosecutor and is in private practice. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley School of Law.