Judge Jill Flagg Lanzinger shared the excitement she feels, as well as the personal significance it holds, for her first assignment sitting on the Ohio Supreme Court for oral arguments.

“It's really mind boggling that I argued in front of the Supreme Court right before I became a judge in 2015,” said Judge Flagg Lanzinger. “And now I will actually be one of the judges on the Supreme Court.”

Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy selected Presiding Judge Flagg Lanzinger of the Ninth District Court of Appeals to sit for Justice Patrick F. Fischer, who recused himself from State of Ohio v. Isaiah Morris. The Ohio Constitution gives the chief justice authority to assign an appellate judge to hear a Supreme Court case when a justice recuses.

Although her first time hearing an oral argument for the Court, Judge Flagg Lanzinger has previously argued cases before the Court. Notably, she successfully advocated for childhood sexual abuse victims in the Watkins v. Department of Youth Services.

Judge Flagg Lanzinger’s distinguished career is characterized by her holistic experience in the judiciary. Prior to her judgeship, her career as an attorney was marked by swift criminal proceedings and advocating for youth rights as a Summit County Juvenile Court guardian ad litem. She then served as a judge for the Barberton Municipal court for five years, founded and presided over the Barberton Drug Court, and served on the Summit County Common Pleas Court for two years.

“I've seen all different sides of the coin at this point. The only thing I haven't done has been on a jury,” she joked.

Through her varied experience, from drug and juvenile courts to criminal cases, she has made it evident that advocating for justice will always be a top priority.

“I like to be the protector of vulnerable people, to stand up to a bully,” said Judge Jill Flagg Lanzinger. “And you can do that by being a judge or a lawyer.”

Holding Herself to a Higher Standard
Judge Flagg Lanzinger had high expectations for herself being a first-generation college student from rural Fostoria, Ohio. As a self-proclaimed nerd since childhood, her innate intellect, public speaking abilities, and love for reading created the perfect mix to become a lawyer.

She also credited her stepfather as being an inspiration toward her career in the law.

“He always wanted to be a lawyer too, and he always wished he went to law school,” said Judge Flagg Lanzinger. “So, we would watch lawyer shows, and he was very much into political things.”

Her course to judgeship was formed by her experiences in public defense and prosecution offices, coupled with the guidance of colleagues around her such as mentor and friend Judge Alison McCarty, who encouraged her to campaign as a judge with her “good last name.” Through her husband, Judge Flagg Lanzinger is related to retired Supreme Court Justice Judith Ann Lanzinger.

Once Judge Flagg Lanzinger became a trial judge, she began to recognize the positive impact she could make on the community.

“I just realized what a big difference you can make in people's lives with being a judge,” she said. “You have a tremendous number of resources to help make change in a good way and once I was there, I realized this is what I want to do.”

In her free time, Judge Flagg Lanzinger and her husband have been passionately involved in community outreach groups such as the Portage Lakes Advisory Council and Polar Bear Jump.

Judge Jill Flagg Lanzinger is eager for her second upcoming assignment sitting for oral arguments in March, which her daughter will be attending. The judge’s daughter plans to follow in her mother’s footsteps and will start law school in the fall.