JANUARY 22, 2025

School District Must Release Newsletter Email Distribution List

A person typing on a computer keyboard and a computer monitor displaying a colorful spreadsheet.

The Xenia Community City School District must provide the email distribution list used to send the superintendent’s newsletter to a woman who requested it, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today.

JANUARY 21, 2025

Court Properly Denied Death Row Inmate’s New Trial Request

Lady justice with scales

The Supreme Court of Ohio today affirmed a trial court’s rejection of a new trial request submitted in 2019 by a man sentenced to death for two murders committed while robbing a Cleveland used-car dealership.

JANUARY 20, 2025

Attorney Suspended for Pressuring Client for Sex

The Supreme Court of Ohio today suspended a Brown County attorney for one year, with six months stayed, for repeatedly pressing a client to perform sexual favors in exchange for making her case a priority.

JANUARY 15, 2025

One-Year Deadline to Refile Lawsuit Falls on Anniversary Date of Dismissal

A page in a calendar.

When determining the time to refile a dismissed lawsuit under the Ohio saving statute, the deadline falls on the one-year anniversary date of the dismissal, not the following day, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today.

JANUARY 14, 2026

Featured Decision: Police Officers Involved in Highway Shooting Were Crime Victims

Police lights on top of car

The Supreme Court of Ohio’s decision on whether Columbus police officers involved in a highway shooting were crime victims is the latest “Featured Decision” video.

Apparel Maker Not Entitled to Commercial Activity Tax Refund

The Supreme Court of Ohio today upheld the imposition of the Ohio commercial activity tax (CAT) on $108 million of merchandise shipped to DSW’s Columbus distribution center before items were sent to stores both in and out of Ohio.

JANUARY 13, 2026

Court Suspends Former Domestic Relations Judge

The Supreme Court of Ohio today suspended former Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Judge Leslie Celebrezze from the practice of law for two years, with one year stayed. The Supreme Court found Celebrezze violated the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio and local court rules when she bypassed the random assignment of judges to cases and instead assigned these cases to herself.

DECEMBER 30, 2025

Supreme Court: Challenge to City Inspections of Rental Properties Will Be Heard
The Court is considering arguments in 11 cases next week.

A North Canton property owner is contesting a warrant granted to the city to inspect a six-unit rental property, arguing the Ohio Constitution demands more protections before a government can intrude onto someone’s property. At next week’s oral arguments, the Supreme Court of Ohio will consider whether the city established probable cause for the administrative search warrant allowing the inspection.

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JANUARY 23, 2025

New Judges Receive Training and Tools Needed to Take the Bench

Female judge wearing a black judicial robe.

Ohio’s newest judges are starting the new year with the tools and knowledge needed to take the bench

JANUARY 21, 2025

For First Time in Decades, New Judge Takes Over Fulton County Bench

Female judge wearing a black judicial robe.

For the first time in 40 years, a new judge has taken the probate and juvenile bench of the Fulton County Common Pleas Court.

JANUARY 15, 2025

Ninth District Judge Honored to Return to Supreme Court

Female judge wearing a black judicial robe.

“It is always an honor to be appointed by the chief justice to sit on the Supreme Court of Ohio,” said Judge Jennifer Hensal.

JANUARY 7, 2025

Appellate Judge Emphasizes Accessibility and Fairness in Law

Female judge wearing a black judicial robe.

“Sitting on the Supreme Court of Ohio is both humbling and energizing,” said Judge Laurel Beatty Blunt of the Tenth District Court of Appeals.

NOVEMBER 4, 2025

From Mentee to Mentor: Eighth District Judge Returns to Supreme Court

A woman judge sitting on the bench in the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center Courtroom

Judge Michelle Sheehan of the Eighth District Court of Appeals was honored to sit by assignment once again at the Supreme Court of Ohio during October’s oral arguments.

NOVEMBER 3, 2025

Summit County Judge Honored for Contributions to Recovery

Six women smiling, one holding an award

The Summit County Addiction and Mental Health (ADM) Board recently recognized Judge Joy Malek Oldfield for her commitment to individuals in recovery with the Dr. Robert M. Smith Innovation Award.

OCTOBER 31, 2025

Summit County Specialized Docket Recognized for Domestic Violence Prevention Work

Two women smiling holding an award

A Summit County Common Pleas Court specialized docket was recently recognized for its dedication to ending the cycle of domestic violence.

OCTOBER 6, 2025

Franklin County Court Featured in National Court Journal

A large blue ribbon on a multicolored background of overlapping silhouettes.

“I am sitting in a circle alongside the women of CATCH, sharing stories, offering comfort, laughing, crying, encouraging one another, and walking together on a path toward healing,” wrote Judge Jodi Thomas.

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JANUARY 20, 2026

Legal Legacy: The Story of Ohio’s First Chief Judge

painted portrait of a man

Before Ohio became the 17th state admitted to the Union, a small group of Revolutionary War veterans established the first permanent settlement in the newly formed Northwest Territory. In 1788, they founded Marietta at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers. Among them was Col. Return Jonathan Meigs, whose son, Return Jonathan Meigs Jr., soon joined him and began a law career in one of the nation’s newest communities.

JANUARY 20, 2026

Supreme Court of Ohio to Host 2026 Black History Month Event
"A Century of Black History Commemorations" explores 100 years of achievements on Feb. 10

A woman smiling with text that reads '2026 Black History Month Celevration: A Century of Black Commemorations, Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 1-2pm with Featured Speaker Tammy R. Bennett, Executive Director, Law and Leadership Institute'

Every February, the Supreme Court of Ohio hosts a special event for Black History Month. This year’s program, titled “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” will examine how Black history has been celebrated and studied over the past 100 years. The Court’s celebration will highlight the achievements of notable Black Ohioans while inspiring future generations of leaders. The annual Black History Month celebration is on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 1 p.m.

Ohio Courts Serve as Models for Helping Vulnerable Youth

A map of Ohio with Hancock, Champaign, Clark, Union, Franklin, Fairfield, Hamilton, and Coshocton Counties highlighted in red

Children involved with both the child welfare system and juvenile courts tend to be at risk for future problems in the justice system. Successes in Ohio courts to better assist these youth are being commended and shared nationally as models.

JANUARY 15, 2026

Advancing Timeliness in Ohio Courts: Key Findings and Challenges
Report makes recommendations to improve court operations and efficiency

A father and a child hugging

The recently released Advancing Timeliness in Ohio Courts report highlights the factors affecting caseflow management and timeliness in Ohio’s judicial system. The findings, based on surveys of attorneys and judiciary members, highlight the challenges courts face in ensuring efficient case processing while maintaining fairness and justice.

JANUARY 13, 2026

Supreme Court of Ohio Unveils Parenting Time Guide for Divorced and Separated Parents
Updated resource offers practical tools to help parents reduce conflict and prioritize children’s well-being

A father and a child hugging

The Supreme Court of Ohio’s Advisory Committee on Children & Families has published an updated resource to assist parents living separately. The guide, Planning for Parenting Time: Ohio’s Guide for Parents Living Apart is now available to the public.

JANUARY 12, 2026

Seats of Justice: Van Wert

The Van Wert County Court house

The next stop on the tour of Ohio’s county courthouses takes viewers to one of the last settled Ohio counties in Van Wert.

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Reflections on 2025

As the year winds down, it’s a chance to review the good work of the Supreme Court of Ohio, from its important legal decisions to its resourceful approaches to serve the courts, legal community, and public.

JANUARY 22, 2026

Ohio Supreme Court publishes recommendations to reduce judicial backlogs, case delays: The Columbus Dispatch
A new report from the Ohio Supreme Court offers suggestions for moving cases through the state's courts faster and eliminating backlogs. The Jan. 21 report is the result of work in 2024 by a group of judges, magistrates, court administrators and attorneys who began examining solutions and recommendations to ensure cases are handled within appropriate timeframes.

Split Ohio High Court Won’t Intervene in Uber, Lyft Lawsuit: Bloomberg Law
A divided Ohio Supreme Court declined Wednesday to answer a certified question on whether the state’s product liability law bars personal-injury claims arising from mobile phone apps.

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