DECEMBER 11, 2025

Ohio renters with dogs could be impacted by Supreme Court case: The Columbus Dispatch
A legal case that could impact renters, landlords and dog owners will be heard by the Ohio Supreme Court on Dec. 10.

Who’s responsible when a tenant’s dog bites? Ohio Supreme Court weighs in: WBNS
When a cocker spaniel service dog bit a child at a mobile home park while leashed to some playground equipment, the boy’s mother sued the dog owner and the landlord. The case has raised a legal question about whether a landlord can be held liable.

Ohio Supreme Court case could change where you can rent with a dog: Cleveland.com
A dog bite has set off an Ohio Supreme Court case that could reshape how landlords handle tenants’ pets.

Putnam County murder case could return to Supreme Court: LimaOhio.com
The nearly two-decade judicial odyssey of Travis Soto, a Napoleon man who served prison time for causing the death of his young son in Putnam County in 2006, appears destined to make its second stop before the Ohio Supreme Court.

Amid shortages, Ohio Supreme Court amends requirements for court interpreters: Ideastream
Across Ohio, there’s a shortage of qualified court interpreters: people who can translate complex legal jargon for non-English speakers in the state.

Judge Kennedy appointed Vice-Chair of Ohio Supreme Court Commission: Peak of Ohio
Judge Natasha R. Kennedy has been appointed by the Supreme Court of Ohio to serve as Vice-Chair of the Commission on the Rules of Superintendence for Ohio Courts. The Commission assists the Supreme Court in reviewing and recommending rules for Ohio courts.

DECEMBER 9, 2025

Ohio renters with dogs could be impacted by Supreme Court case: Columbus Dispatch
A legal case that could impact renters, landlords and dog owners will be heard by the Ohio Supreme Court on Dec. 10.

Boardman lawyer suspended: Used non-disclosure agreement to silence assault victim: WFMJ Youngstown
The Supreme Court of Ohio suspended a Boardman attorney for six months following an investigation that determined he lied to a judge and drafted a legal agreement intended to stop a domestic violence victim from cooperating with prosecutors.

Court suspends attorney for interfering with friend’s case: Youngstown Vindicator
The Ohio Supreme Court ordered a six-month law license suspension for Youngstown attorney Gregg Rossi, a former Mahoning County Bar Association president, for interfering with the prosecution of a friend on an assault charge and then lying about it.

Ohio Supreme Court reviewing overturned conviction in Youngstown murder case: WFMJ Youngstown
The Ohio Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Wednesday to determine whether a Youngstown man’s murder conviction should remain overturned or if his original sentence should be reinstated.

Ohio Supreme Court orders first district to reconsider appeal in Elwood Jones retrial: WLWT 5
The Ohio Supreme Court is asking an appeals court to reconsider Hamilton County’s request to stop a new trial against a suspected murderer.

Will new prosecutor keep fighting to send Elwood Jones back to prison?: Cincinnati Enquirer
An Ohio Supreme Court ruling Thursday set the stage for a big decision from Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich: Whether to continue a years-long effort by her office to send Elwood Jones back to Ohio's death row.

Ohio Supreme Court rules cops can be considered victims under Marsy’s Law: Ohio Capital Journal
The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled police officers can be considered victims, and thus not subject to public disclosure, under Ohio’s Marsy’s Law privacy protections.

Local attorney recognized for economic justice work: Elyria Chronicle
Surrounded by towering house plants and memorabilia from his work in Central and South America, he recounted the path that led him to his Elyria office and his years spent in public service law.

Middle school students to learn how system works at county Justice Center event: Elyria Chronicle
Middle school students from five Lorain County school districts will travel to the Lorain County Justice Center at 225 Court St. in Elyria Friday for two sessions of an educational mock trial event at the courthouse.

Three women graduate Lorain County Recovery Court: Elyria Chronicle
Hailey Alba, Elizabeth Ellis and Sarah Kibort successfully completed the specialized Recovery Court and were honored with a brief graduation ceremony in front of their fellow participants.

Akron Bar President discusses ongoing initiatives and changes: Akron Legal News
With the dual goal of increasing membership numbers among younger attorneys and engaging existing members, Akron Bar Association President Brian J. Moore is focused on ushering in new initiatives and overseeing the return of popular ones as he seeks to demonstrate the organization’s ongoing value to members of the legal profession.

DECEMBER 4, 2025

Lordstown council pulls back on data center ban, pushes for temporary moratorium: WKBN
Lordstown Village Council is pulling back on its ban on data centers and is now pushing for a temporary moratorium instead. The move comes as a developer takes its fight to the Ohio Supreme Court, claiming the village is stalling its multi-million dollar project.

Geauga juvenile judge asks Ohio Supreme Court to reconsider his suspension: News 5 Cleveland
Geauga County Juvenile and Probate Judge Timothy Grendell filed a motion requesting the Ohio Supreme Court to reconsider his suspension on Monday.

Changed circumstances have Ohio appeals court remanding disability application: Work Comp Central
An Ohio appellate court issued a limited writ returning a worker’s application for permanent total disability benefits to the Industrial Commission to make findings as to whether he presented evidence of new and changed circumstances.

Bar joins commissioners in support of full-time court in Struthers: WKBN Youngstown
The Mahoning County Bar Association is officially throwing its support behind a move to make Struthers Municipal Court full-time.

Belmont County mourns former Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato
Belmont County officials are mourning the loss of former Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato, who died at his home Nov. 27…He served as Belmont County Northern Division Court Judge from 1997 through 2013. He then served as Belmont County Common Pleas Judge from August 2013, and as presiding Judge of the Court from 2014 until his retirement in June of 2023. He also ran the county drug court.

DECEMBER 2, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court says police officers have privacy rights, shielding their names: Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio Supreme Court on Nov. 25 ruled that police officers' names may be kept confidential if they're attacked on the job, giving them privacy rights afforded to crime victims.

Ohio Supreme Court rules police officer identities can be hidden from public under Marsy's Law: WOSU
The Ohio Supreme Court sided with the city of Columbus over the Columbus Dispatch, agreeing that a state statute meant to protect the identities of crime victims can apply to on-duty police officers.

Ohio State Supreme Court upholds ruling in multi-state scam; Yu faces up to 11 years: WTOV
A more than two-year-old case involving a multi-state scam resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars being taken from a local man had its ruling upheld by the Ohio State Supreme Court.

Ohio Supreme Court: Ex-NBA player must pay $25K monthly child support after missed deadline: Cleveland.com
A former NBA player must pay $25,000 a month in child support after the Ohio Supreme Court ruled he missed the deadline to challenge a Lorain County magistrate judge’s order by one day.

Shaker Municipal Court adds a victims’ advocate: City Council recap: Cleveland.com
City Council on Monday (Nov. 24) accepted an $84,000 grant to bring a full-time victims’ advocate on staff in Shaker Heights Municipal Court.

New Direction for 10 drug court graduates: Defiance Crescent-News
On Wednesday evening, Nov. 19, 2025, 10 people graduated from the New Direction Drug Court and received their plaques in a ceremony held at the Inn at Backwoods. Begun in 2017 by then Judge Dean L. Wilson, the New Direction Drug Court has instituted a rigorous program that has allowed drug offenders a second chance at life without the chemical addiction that hurtles them down the road of self-destruction.

Free legal clinic will explore differences between divorce, dissolution: Toledo Blade
Volunteers from the Toledo Bar Association will explain the differences between dissolution and divorce with minor children at a free legal clinic Tuesday.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court appoints former Portage jurist to fill in during Grendell’s suspension: Cleveland.com
Robert Berger, a retired Portage County jurist, was assigned Monday to replace Geauga County Judge Timothy Grendell, who was suspended by the Ohio Supreme Court for 18 months and ordered off the bench without pay.

Ohio judge who jailed kids for refusing to see dad is suspended: Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio Supreme Court suspended Geauga County Common Pleas Court Judge Timothy Grendell for judicial misconduct after he incarcerated two teenagers who refused to visit their father.

Supreme Court suspends NE Ohio judge but dismisses charges related to public comments: Ideastream
A Republican former state lawmaker who’s now a juvenile judge in northeast Ohio has been suspended for 18 months for ordering two teenage brothers taken to juvenile lockup for refusing to visit their father.

Ohio Supreme Court suspends Geauga County Judge Timothy Grendell after News 5 Investigation: WEWS
The Ohio Supreme Court suspended Geauga County Juvenile and Probate Judge Timothy Grendell for at least six months on Friday. The court found Grendell violated judicial conduct rules when he locked up two teenage brothers in a juvenile detention center over a custody dispute in 2020.

Ohio Supreme Court suspends Geauga County Judge Timothy Grendell for detaining teens who refused to visit father: WKYC
Geauga County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge Timothy Grendell has been suspended by the Ohio Supreme Court after a majority of justices determined that he violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by ordering two teenage boys to be detained for refusing to visit their estranged father.

Ohio court will decide another appeal in killing of Rowan: Youngstown Vindicator
The Ohio Supreme Court now has to decide whether to review or leave alone the ruling by the 7th District Court of Appeals affirming the conviction and sentence of Brandon Crump Jr. to 52 years to life in prison for killing 4-year-old Rowan Sweeney.

Fairfield County Residents Fund Supreme Court Appeal to Protect Farmland from Solar Development: Scioto Post
Citizens for Fair Fields announced that community members have fully funded an appeal of the Eastern Cottontail Solar Project to the Ohio Supreme Court, highlighting widespread local support for preserving farmland and protecting established neighborhoods.

How kits are helping those released from prison reenter society: NBC4
Several organizations are lifting up a group most of us may not think much about – people who have just been released from prison. 

Franklin County launches program to help teens keep criminal records clean: Columbus Dispatch
Franklin County is launching a one-year pilot program to help juveniles accused of certain low-level felony offenses avoid incarceration and a criminal record.

Lorain County Juvenile Court hosts annual 'Project Safe Schools' meeting: Elyria Chronicle
Lorain County Domestic Relations & Juvenile Court recently hosted its fifth annual "Project Safe Schools" meeting, bringing together representatives from 11 school districts and also law enforcement agencies throughout Lorain County.

NOVEMBER 20, 2025

Ohio High Court Mulls Jury Deference In Post-Trial Case Reviews: Bloomberg Law News
Several Ohio justices appeared Wednesday to back clarifying how appeals courts weigh trial testimony in criminal matters, following an overturned jury verdict in a Cleveland-area rape case.

Ohio Justices Split on Tweaking Early Case Dismissal Standard: Bloomberg Law News
The Ohio Supreme Court appeared split Wednesday on whether to make it harder for certain parties to bring lawsuits in state court.

Ohio Supreme Court Holds Arbitration Clause in Medical Malpractice Policy Applies to Bad Faith Claims: JD Supra
In U.S. Acute Care Solutions LLC v. Doctors Company Risk Retention Group Insurance Co., the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled that an emergency care service provider must arbitrate its claim for bad faith against its insurer, reversing a decision by Ohio’s Fifth District Court of Appeals.

Ohio Veterans Discover Paths to Healing: River News Network
Former members of the U.S. Armed Forces are finding renewed hope through Ohio-based services designed to help them confront trauma and reconnect with themselves and their communities.

ElevateU 180 to help divorcees, domestic violence survivors: WFMJ Youngstown
A new program designed to help divorcees and domestic violence survivors is now available in Mahoning County.

Puffenberger lauded for efforts to improve court administration: The Blade
Lucas County Probate Judge Jack R. Puffenberger received the Treat Award for Excellence during the National College of Probate Judges fall conference Nov. 13 in Galveston, Texas.

Ashtabula Municipal Court adopts cat rescue for holiday giving: Ashtabula Star Beacon
Forget ornaments, lights and tinsel. The halls of justice in Ashtabula are decked out with catnip and cuddles this year, as the Municipal Court is accepting donations for Maddox and Friends Cat Rescue.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Law profs urge Ohio Supreme Court to uphold conviction ruling in Cleveland firefighter’s death: Cleveland.com
A group of Ohio criminal law professors is urging the state’s highest court to uphold the reduction of a murder conviction in the death of Cleveland firefighter Johnny Tetrick.

Ohio Supreme Court case of contractor who shot his colleague could test self-defense laws: Signal Ohio
A contractor shot his coworker three times and hit two neighbors’ houses in the process. The justices will consider what Ohio’s self-defense laws mean for bystanders whose persons or property get caught in the crossfire.

Ohio Supreme Court to hear bases on injection wells, solar farm proposal: The Parkersburg News and Sentinel
The Supreme Court of Ohio will hear oral arguments on eight cases Nov. 18-19, including a dispute over hydraulic-fracturing waste in Southeast Ohio and the proposed approval of a major solar facility in Logan County.

Cleveland Heights attorney handed 2-year suspension for bringing meth into courthouse: Cleveland.com
The Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday suspended a Cleveland Heights attorney for two years after he tried to hide methamphetamine he brought into the Cuyahoga County Justice Center while visiting an inmate in 2022.

AI center developer takes case to build in Lordstown to court: Youngstown Vindicator
Demanding Lordstown follow its own zoning regulations, the developer of a proposed artificial intelligence data center filed a petition Wednesday with the Ohio Supreme Court.

Jaquan Hall seeks Ohio Supreme Court review in Roush murder case: River Cities Tribune & Register
Jaquan Hall has asked the Ohio Supreme Court to consider his appeal in the 2022 aggravated murder conviction of Kane Roush, filing a notice of appeal and a supporting memorandum on Oct. 10.

New juvenile court program seeks to curb crime: NBC4
Franklin County is launching a new diversion program for some juvenile offenders, and experts believe it will keep most from breaking the law again.

Four graduate from Conneaut Renewal Court: Ashtabula Star Beacon
The city’s Renewal Court had its fourth graduation Thursday at the Conneaut Human Resources Center.

Judge receives award for recovery-focused justice efforts: Akron Legal News
Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Joy Malek Oldfield has spent much of her legal career working to help those with substance use disorders receive treatment and become productive members of the community.

Krichbaum explains grand jury process to new panel of jurors: Youngstown Vindicator
Although most people are aware that a county grand jury is a panel of citizens who periodically release a list of people whom they have indicted, usually for serious crimes, many people would be hard-pressed to explain exactly what a grand jury is or why it exists.

AI in court: How easy is it to alter the evidence?: WJW Cleveland
Artificial intelligence has woven its way into our daily lives and its use is growing exponentially.
That includes courtrooms where juries are seated as fact finders, with the responsibility to arrive at the truth and to reach fair verdicts that are consistent with the law.

NOVEMBER 13, 2025

Ohio Justices Say Prosecutors Can Appeal Venue Rulings: Law360
The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that prosecutors can now appeal when trial courts end criminal cases for being in the improper venue, overriding existing precedent.

Case against Youngstown in death from tree that fell on motorcyclist allowed to proceed: WCMH
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled last month that a lawsuit can proceed against the city of Youngstown for a man who died after a city tree fell on him.

County Domestic Relations Court launches ElevateU 180: Youngstown Vindicator
The Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court has launched ElevateU 180, a program developed by Judge Beth A. Smith and led by newly appointed Employment, Education, and Support Services Adviser (EESA), Ty Hobard. This strategic initiative reflects the court’s continued commitment to empowering families and promoting positive outcomes in litigants’ lives.

Lucas County leaders talk recidivism, county jail population, ways to fight crime: Toledo Blade
Lucas County leaders Monday discussed whether reducing the county’s jail population and recidivism significantly helps fight local crime.

Ohio consumers win $400 million utility fight: WFMJ Columbus
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from several Ohio utility companies, cementing a victory for the state's electric customers that secures more than $400 million in savings through 2031.

NOVEMBER 6, 2025

Ohio’s rural community has trouble finding legal representation: NBC4
Rural communities across Ohio are facing a growing crisis, with the Ohio State Bar Association warning of a shortage of attorneys…“We have got to meet the people where they are,” Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy said. “People should have representation.”

Are Big Utility Price Hikes Illegal? Ohio Courts to Decide.: Columbus Underground
Advocates on both sides stumbled momentarily Wednesday when the Ohio Supreme Court considered whether big increases in certain utility charges are legal. At issue is whether the state’s regulator, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, acted legally in 2023 when it allowed Columbia Gas of Ohio to increase total fixed monthly charges from $36 a month to $58 a month by 2027 — a 50% increase.

Graham to appeal levy decision to Ohio Supreme Court: WPKO
The Graham Local Schools Board of Education voted Tuesday evening to expedite an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court after the Champaign County Budget Commission denied the district’s request for an unvoted permanent improvement levy.

Graham BOE votes to appeal budget commission’s decision: Urbana Daily Citizen
Graham Local Schools Board of Education held a special meeting on Tuesday and voted 4-0 to move forward with an expedited appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court of the county budget commission’s decision on Oct. 28 to deny Graham’s action to increase the existing property taxation amount without a vote from the electorate.

Ohio State Bar Foundation honors Washington Court House lawyer for service: Lancaster Eagle Gazette
Washington Court House attorney Jasmin Hurley has been recognized for her community service by the Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF).

NOVEMBER 4, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court questions Gates-backed solar project, among country's largest: Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday from backers and critics of one of the country's largest planned agrivoltaic solar farms, located in Madison County on more than 6,000 acres partially owned by Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

State supreme court won’t review appeal decision in Sharpe sex crimes case: Defiance Crescent-News
The Ohio Supreme Court has declined to review the decision of a state appellate court, which upheld the conviction of a Logan man who’s serving 28 years to life in prison for multiple sex crimes against juvenile girls.

Ohio Supreme Court makes decision on CFA-Barnes Advertising eminent domain case: Zanesville Times Recorder
A battle over two downtown billboards in the Welcome Center's parking lot reached a conclusion after a year and a half of court proceedings between advertising firm Barnes Advertising and the Muskingum County Convention Facilities Authority (CFA).

Changemakers: 28 years of creating second chances with drug court: WFMJ Youngstown
Before becoming a Mahoning County judge, Jack Durkin was an attorney for the Children Services Board (CSB). During his time there, he noticed many people struggling with addiction.

‘Fabulous’ renovated law library in courthouse pleases its users: Youngstown Vindicator
Attorney Terry Grenga said having three private offices in the Mahoning County Law Library on the fourth floor of the Mahoning County Courthouse will help her give legal advice to people with a case in Domestic Relations Court.

Couples marry their forever 'boos' at Civic Theatre weddings, hosted by municipal court: Akron Beacon Journal
Eleven couples who weren't scared to tie the knot on Halloween Day married their forever boos on Oct. 31 in the grand lobby of Akron's historic Civic Theater.

OCTOBER 30, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court hears case against approval of state's largest solar project: WOSU
Opponents of a Madison County solar project are challenging its approval in the Ohio Supreme Court.

Warren Boy Scout murder: Ohio Supreme Court hears death row appeal: WFMJ Columbus
The Ohio Supreme Court heard the appeal of a death row inmate convicted of the 1985 murder of a 12-year-old boy in Trumbull County Wednesday morning.

'Customers can't afford this.' Debate over gas rate hikes heads to Ohio Supreme Court: News 5 Cleveland
The Ohio Supreme Court will hear arguments on a proposed increase to Columbia Gas of Ohio’s fixed monthly charges, a move that could affect residential utility bills statewide.

Ohio Supreme Court to review Columbia Gas rate hike affecting residential bills statewide: WTOL
The Supreme Court of Ohio will hear oral arguments Wednesday on a proposed increase in the fixed monthly charge Columbia Gas of Ohio residential customers pay for natural gas service - a case that could impact utility bills across the state.

Ohio Supreme Court to decide whether Gov. Mike DeWine must distribute $900M in COVID benefits to Ohioans: Cleveland.com
The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to hear Gov. Mike DeWine’s appeal of a lower-court ruling requiring him to seek and distribute $900 million in special federal coronavirus unemployment benefits that he declined in 2021.

Mathews Announce Passage of Bill Clarifying Ohio Law on Court Procedures: Warren County Post
State Representatives Mike Odioso (R-Green Twp.) and Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) announced that House Bill 260 – legislation clarifying the law regarding rules adopted by the Ohio Supreme Court of Ohio – recently passed the House of Representatives.

Probate judge, staff educate about court through online program: Toledo Blade
When most people think of probate court, the first thing that comes to mind is death, said Judge Jack Puffenberger, probate judge of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas.

'Don't overlook it.' Domestic violence cases are hard. A change in approach helps victims: Cincinnati Enquirer
Months before Tina Newman’s son was shot and killed, they took a weeklong trip to New Orleans during Mardi Gras season. She didn’t know then that it would be the last time they would go.

Mural helps youth fulfill service hours: Fairborn Daily Herald 
Another colorful and creative mural has been completed — the mural was painted on the wall of the Emerge Trade & Recovery Initiative’s clinical building, 2960 W. Enon Road. The mural — which required 400 hours of work and several coats of paint — was created by 16 court-involved youth.