Ohio Supreme Court Assistant Administrative Director Mindi L. Wells.

Ohio Supreme Court Assistant Administrative Director Mindi L. Wells.

Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor today named Mindi L. Wells interim administrative director of the Supreme Court of Ohio effective April 30, 2014.

Wells currently is the assistant administrative director at the Court.

Wells will lead the administrative functions until a permanent administrative director is selected and then assume the role of deputy director/chief operating officer. The Supreme Court will conduct a nationwide search to fill the director vacancy. Steven C. Hollon announced last month that he is leaving after fifteen years as the court’s administrative director to become the Executive Director of the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission. Wells will work closely with the court's transition team which includes W. Milton Nuzum, III, Director of Judicial Services; D. Allan Asbury, Administrative Counsel; and John S. VanNorman, Senior Policy & Research Counsel.

The Administrative Director is a constitutional position and is the senior non-elected officer of the court who, in conjunction with the Chief Justice, the Justices of the court, the Ohio Judicial Conference, and the judges of the state, is responsible for developing and communicating the long-term vision, values and direction of the court and the judicial branch of Ohio government. The Office of the Administrative Director is the lead office in the Administrative Division and is responsible for providing oversight to the other offices within the division and to the other divisions of the court.

Wells joined the Supreme Court in 2012 as assistant administrative director where she serves as an operationally focused senior assistant to the administrative director on matters affecting the administration of the Supreme Court and oversight of the Ohio judicial branch and is responsible for assisting the administrative director with special initiatives, developing administrative policies and in providing oversight and executive level support to divisions, offices, and sections of the Ohio Supreme Court.

Wells brings over 16 years of executive leadership experience having worked in legal education and higher education administration prior to joining the court. Wells came to the court from Ohio Northern University where she served for eight years as assistant dean for administration and student services at the Pettit College of Law and was responsible for managing day-to-day operations of the law school including managing its budget, facilities and construction projects, non-academic personnel, communications and marketing, continuing legal education program and student organizations. Previous to serving as assistant dean, Wells helped to create the personnel services (human resources) department at ONU and served as the leader of that department for nearly six years.

Wells earned her law degree from ONU and is licensed to practice law in Ohio and Florida and before the Supreme Court of the United States. She also holds the Professional in Human Resources certification and will earn her Certified Court Manager (CCM) credentials from the National Center for State Courts this fall.  In addition to her law degree, Wells also earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with distinction in economics and political science from ONU and is pursuing a PhD at Bowling Green State University.

"I am pleased to select Mindi Wells as Interim Administrative Director for the Supreme Court," said Chief Justice O'Connor. "She brings a solid understanding of the court’s responsibilities to administer justice, manage the legal profession, and oversee the judicial branch. Mindi is a proven administrator who will reliably serve our state judicial system until the position is filled permanently."

"I am honored by the confidence the court has placed in me," Wells said. "We have a solid team of knowledgeable and dedicated professionals at the court who are committed to public service and I am humbled to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity with them. My top priority is to maintain the high standards Mr. Hollon set for the administration of the Supreme Court and successfully lead the team until a permanent director is hired."

O'Connor said the court will launch a nationwide search this month for a permanent replacement.