(Top to bottom): Eighth District Court of Appeals Judge Sean C. Gallagher, Twelfth District Court of Appeals Judge Stephen W. Powell, and Second District Court of Appeals Judge Michael T. Hall.

(Top to bottom): Eighth District Court of Appeals Judge Sean C. Gallagher, Twelfth District Court of Appeals Judge Stephen W. Powell, and Second District Court of Appeals Judge Michael T. Hall.

Three judges from appeals courts throughout the state served as visiting jurists on the Ohio Supreme Court for oral arguments today.

Eighth District Court of Appeals Judge Sean C. Gallagher sat in place of Justice Sharon L. Kennedy, who recused herself from Judicial Campaign Complaint Against Karen Kopich Falter, Case No. 2020-0407.

“The Chief and all the other justices are always nice and accommodating,” said Judge Gallagher. “It was also fulfilling to sit with my fellow appellate colleagues, who do so much for the judiciary. It's no surprise they would volunteer and bring their years of knowledge and experience to a case like this.”

According to the Ohio Constitution, in the event of a recusal by a justice, the chief justice can select any of the 69 sitting Ohio appellate court judges to sit temporarily on the Supreme Court.

Judge Gallagher has sat on the Eighth District Court since 2002. He served on the Cleveland Municipal Court from 1997 to 2002 and was an assistant Cuyahoga County prosecutor from 1991 to 1997.

Judge Gallagher received his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and his law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Twelfth District Judge Stephen W. Powell sat in for Justice Patrick F. Fischer in the same case.

“It’s always an honor to sit on the Supreme Court,” said Judge Powell. “This is my first virtual experience with the court and it went flawlessly. I expect the Ohio judiciary will continue to use this format for all of its time-saving benefits long after we defeat COVID-19.”

Judge Powell was elected to the appellate bench in 1994, and was re-elected in 2000, 2006, and 2012. He also served as a Butler County probate judge and was an attorney in private practice.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Heidelberg University and his law degree from the University of Dayton.

Second District Court of Appeals Judge Michael T. Hall served as a visiting judge on the Ohio Supreme Court today for Justice R. Patrick DeWine, who recused himself from the same case.

“It's always an honor to sit on the Supreme Court,” Judge Hall said. “But today, participating by zoom video, was new for me. Interactive remote participation was wonderful. It demonstrates the dedication of courts to use current technology to keep the wheels of justice moving in these difficult times. “

Judge Hall has served on the Second District since 2011. Prior to serving on the appellate bench, Judge Hall was a Montgomery County Common Pleas Court judge since 1999. He also served as a Montgomery County District Court judge, a practicing attorney for 20 years, and a city of Dayton police officer for 6 years.

Judge Hall received both his bachelor’s and law degree from the University of Dayton.