Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith Ann Lanzinger today received the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education (OCLRE) Founders’ Award for her significant contributions to the ideals and development of law-related education.

Created in 2002, the Founders’ Award is OCLRE’s highest honor. Past recipients include members of the judiciary, including the late Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer and former Justice Robert R. Cupp, as well as Ohio educators, law enforcement officials, and attorneys.

Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor presented the award to Justice Lanzinger during a ceremony at the annual Law and Citizenship Conference in Dublin.

“It’s my great honor to accept this recognition,” Justice Lanzinger said. “As a former teacher, I know it can be difficult to motivate students to learn about their government. OCLRE provides excellent support and resources to the teachers of civic and law-related classes as well as to the general public. And as an Ohio judge, I’ve been happy to help in this important task.”

OCLRE said it wanted to recognize Justice Lanzinger for her “longstanding commitment to civic education” and her “leadership in promoting public understanding of the judicial system.”

OCLRE noted that Justice Lanzinger has been particularly supportive of civic education, and in 2010 she launched her “Justice Judy” blog in an effort to engage an increasingly tech-savvy population of young people in understanding the purpose and function of Ohio laws and courts.

“Justice Lanzinger is very worthy of this recognition,” OCLRE Director Kate Strickland said. “In addition to her service at every level of the state judiciary, she is passionate about instilling in young people an understanding of the law and the importance of civic responsibility. As readers of her ‘Justice Judy’ blog know, she is committed to providing meaningful and accessible information to the public, and she encourages questions and provides a space for civil public discourse.”

Justice Lanzinger has served more than 30 years as a judge and is the only person ever elected to every level of Ohio’s judiciary – the Ohio Supreme Court, the Sixth District Court of Appeals, the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, and the Toledo Municipal Court. She has a Master of Judicial Studies degree from the University of Nevada and the National Judicial College, and has devoted her career to sharing a wide perspective of the state’s court system through teaching and speaking at a variety of venues.

Ohio’s constitutional age restrictions make it impossible for Justice Lanzinger to continue in her present position after the end of the year. She will conclude her second, six-year term on the Supreme Court on Dec. 31, 2016.