Carl L. DiFranco will begin his service as Conneaut Municipal Court judge on April 6, after his appointment on Monday by Gov. John R. Kasich.

DiFranco must win in November’s general election to retain the seat for the remainder of the unexpired term, which ends Dec. 31, 2019. DiFranco replaces Judge Thomas E. Harris, who was elected to the Ashtabula County Common Pleas Court in November.

DiFranco received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and his law degree from Pennsylvania State University. His experience includes service as an acting judge for Painesville Municipal Court and work with Cannon, Aveni & Malchesky Co., L.P.A. He was admitted to the practice of law in Ohio on Nov. 9, 1998.

He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Lake County Bar Association, and the OSBA’s Family Law Committee. DiFranco has served as a youth sports coach and participates in legal aid volunteer work.