Stark County Family Court Judge Jim D. James has been elected chair of the Ohio Judicial Conference.

Stark County Family Court Judge Jim D. James has been elected chair of the Ohio Judicial Conference.

After his election last month, Stark County Family Court Judge Jim D. James began a two-year term as chair of the Ohio Judicial Conference on October 1.

He was among six judges elected as officers of the conference. The others include: Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge John M. Durkin as chair elect; Clermont County Municipal Court Judge James A. Shriver as first vice chair; Twelfth District Court of Appeals Judge Stephen W. Powell as second vice chair; Trumbull County Probate Court Judge Thomas A. Swift as immediate past chair; and Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor as honorary chair.

Judge James has served as an officer of the conference and has chaired its Juvenile Law and Procedure and Domestic Relations Law and Procedure, Education and Personnel committees. As conference chair, Judge James will preside over the Conference Executive Committee.

“The Ohio Judicial Conference is the voice of Ohio’s judges,” Judge James said. “The conference is recognized and respected for its ability to analyze and comment on issues affecting the administration of justice. We work closely with the General Assembly and administration as well as the Supreme Court and various judicial associations to enhance the judiciary. It is a great honor to lead this organization into its fiftieth year of work.”

Judge James serves as administrative judge of the Family Court’s Juvenile Division. He has served on the court since 1999. He initiated and presides over its Juvenile Drug Court. Judge James is a past president of the Ohio Association of Domestic Relations Judges and past president of the Stark County Bar Association. He serves on the Supreme Court’s Court Security Advisory Committee and is a trustee of the Ohio Judicial College. Judge James is a graduate of Capital University Law School. He is a former firefighter/EMT, married and father of two sons.

As the organization of all Ohio judges, the conference coordinates the work of all courts in Ohio and promotes the administration of justice throughout the state. It was founded in 1963.