Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor welcomes new judges to the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center for training.

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor welcomes new judges to the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center for training.

It didn’t really hit Thomas Beridon that he will be starting a new chapter of his career until he tried on a robe for the first time this week during a mock trial instructional session.

“Walking in the room with a robe on and watching everyone rise was different, and it gave me pause,” said Beridon, who won a seat on the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas.  “It made me realize the seriousness of the role I’m taking on now and the other responsibilities I have now on the other side of the bench.”

Sixty-four newly elected and appointed judges attended the Ohio Supreme Court Judicial College’s four-day new judge orientation this week. Of the 64 participants, 52 have never served as a judge before. Candace Crouse was one of those lawyers-turned-judges.

“I finished up a jury trial yesterday with closing arguments, so today is my first day,” said Crouse, who won a seat on the First District Court of Appeals. “Today, we were taught how to make courts friendly to the public, how to understand the people who will be coming before you and treating their schedules with importance.”

“I think some judges get a little bit lost in their own importance and (the instructors) remind us that we are public servants.”

The training is designed to give new judges the tools to make a smooth and successful transition from the bar to the bench.

“I think it’s been really helpful and it’s nice to meet the other newly elected judges,” said Pierre Bergeron, a new judge on the First District Court of Appeals.

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor reminded the new judges that their education will continue long after they take their oaths.

“I can tell you from my many years in the judiciary that preparation should never stop,” Chief Justice O’Connor said. “Actually, it can’t stop, or you won’t succeed. I want you to know the staff and resources here at the Court will always be at your disposal. The demands for preparation and judicial education have always been with us on the bench.”

The judges attended sessions focusing on judicial ethics, access to justice, fairness in the courts, and caseflow management. The judges also participated in breakout sessions related to their specific jurisdictions.

The Judicial College conducts the first weeklong orientation session annually in December before newly elected judges take the bench. The group then meets again for a second weeklong orientation in May to discuss any issues that arise while they are on the bench.