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Toledo Legal News - News Judges of Lucas County

 

Date Published: January 1, 2008

Judge Connelly helping vets get out of the system, into care

Michael Davisson, Toledo Legal News Staff Writer

"I'm exploring bringing a new specialized docket to the court. I'm very interested in bringing a veterans court to the Toledo Municipal Court." Judge William Connelly, Jr., first elected to the Toledo Municipal Court in 2009 is concerned about America's veterans. "Veterans have some specialized needs and also some specific resources that the general public doesn't. The goal is to identify veterans early on in the process. It may not change the ultimate disposition of the case, but if they're found guilty we may be able to get them services they need."

Copyright © 2012, Toledo Legal News

From Swanton to Switzerland, world traveler Magistrate Nancy Miller brings experience, perspective to Probate Court

Michael Davisson, Toledo Legal News Staff Writer

Nancy Miller, the Chief Magistrate of Lucas County's probate court possesses the mind of an academic, the spirit of a traveler and the kind of work ethic that's been in short supply since the Greatest Generation.

© Toledo Legal News, 2012

Judge Yarbrough, a man of change

Michael Davisson, Toledo Legal News Staff Writer

In Chambers with... Judge Yarbrough

© Toledo Legal News, 2012

Was Judge Lewandowski the inspiration for Alex Keaton?

Michael Davisson, Toledo Legal News Staff Writer

To be perfectly honest, Domestic Court Judge David Lewandowski’s childhood sounds a little like the 1980’s sit com, Family Ties, with the young David playing the role of Michael Fox’s Alex Keaton. Like the fictional Alex, David Lewandowski grew up young and conservative in a democratic house. “My dad wasn’t too happy with my political views. Of course, he was Polish, Catholic, Union and a factory worker who didn’t think too much of Republicans. But he was very good to me. He encouraged me and my parents were very supportive.”

Copyright © 2007, Toledo Legal News

Municipal Court Judge Lynn Schaefer - Tough on crime, cancer

Michael Davisson, Toledo Legal News Star Writer

Municipal Court Judge Lynn Schaefer is strong. You don’t grow up on a farm as the daughter of a single parent without becoming reliable, steady and morally grounded. You don’t long last the grind of a Municipal Court judgeship without having deep personal reservoirs to tap. Doubly so if, like Judge Schaefer, you’ve just recently proved that you’re also stronger than cancer.

Copyright © 2007, Toledo Legal News

Energetic and committed to kids, Judge Connie Zemmelman shines in Juvenile Court

Michael Davisson, Toledo Legal News Staff Writer

Judge Connie Zemmelman, of the Juvenile Division of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas likes bold, bright colors. This is obvious. You know that about her even before she tells you. You can see it in her lively walk and eyes that shine surprisingly bright.

Copyright © 2007, Toledo Legal News

Music man Judge Byers loves to help people both in, and out, of his courtroom

Michael Davisson, Toledo Legal News Staff Writer

For the past twelve years, Judge Gary Byers, who sits on the Municipal Court Bench in Maumee, has spent his Friday afternoons at Union Elementary School, playing guitar and leading early education sing-alongs. “What's lovely is at that age kids have no inhibitions. If they don't like you, they'll tell you. But if they do like you, they'll run right up and hug you.” Tall enough and built appropriately to play power forward, it's hard not to imagine the school children using the affable, easy-going judge as a human jungle gym. “I'm a big hit with first graders. It goes downhill as they get older.”

Copyright © 2007, Toledo Legal News

Newly elected to the 6th District Court of Appeals, Judge Osowik is ready for new challenges

Michael Davisson, Toledo Legal News Staff Writer

Recent addition to the 6th District Court of Appeals Judge Osowik met his future bride for the first time while an undergrad at the University of Toledo. Thomas Osowik was introduced by some colleagues of his to a young pharmacy student named Rosemarie. “She was home coming queen and I don't know why she ever dated me,” jokes the Judge.

Copyright © 2007, Toledo Legal News

30 years on the job and still loving it, Judge Handwork has a wealth of experience.

Michael Davisson, Toledo Legal News Staff Writer

In chambers with... Judge Handwork

Copyright © 2007, Toledo Legal News

Judge Christiansen trades drum sticks for gavel

Michael Davisson, Toledo Legal News Staff Writer

A solidly built man who moves with the confidence that comes from possessing a powerful frame, Municipal Court Judge Robert G. Christiansen has the weather beaten looks, cheeks blown raw by the wind and burned red by the sun, of a man who spends plenty of time on a boat. Which, of course, he does. “I'm a boating nut, and anybody who knows me knows that.” And even if you didn't know him, you could guess. In his office hangs paintings by Marblehead resident Ben Richmond depicting light houses and boats being restored by men who love the nautical craft.

Copyright © 2007, Toledo Legal News

Son of a Coal Miner becomes Councilman, Asst Prosecutor, Municipal Court Judge

By Michael Davisson, Toledo Legal News

C. Allen McConnell reclines back in his chair and surveys his wood paneled office. He has the contented smile of a man who has, in every sense of the term, made it. An educated, community focused man with a loving wife, two happy children (successful in their own rights), a job he is passionate about and time enough to play a game of golf now and then, Judge McConnell has come a long way from being raised in a company town in West Virginia where his father and brothers mined coal.

Copyright © 2007, Toledo Legal News

Judge Denise Ann Dartt has blazed many trails

MICHAEL DAVISSON, TOLEDO LEGAL NEWS STAFF WRITER

Common Pleas Judge Denise Dartt has led the life of a trailblazer. She is a pioneer, in many instances a first: first woman to chair the Ohio Judicial Conference; first woman to serve as president of the Ohio Municipal County Judges Association. She was even one of the first women (girl, really) to work a paper route.

Copyright © 2007, Toledo Legal News

Judge Skow: Vietnam; Capital Hill; Toledo - a biography through geography

Michael Davisson, Toledo Legal News Staff Writer

In 1961 then-FCC chairman Newton Minow informed America that to watch television was to, “[observe] a vast wasteland.” While Minow may have been right on as far as many adults were concerned, the young William Skow, known today as the Honorable Judge Skow of the 6th District Court of Appeals would have vehemently disagreed. After all, television not only let him follow his favorite sports teams from his living room in Toledo, it also sparked the Judge's initial interest in politics, and that interest has carried him through political campaigns, a stint in Washington and seats on three different courts.

Copyright © 2007, Toledo Legal News

...And sure enough we got a different lunch lady.

Michael Davisson, Toledo Legal News Staff Writer

Armed with petitions and a willingness to speak up, Judge Stacy Cook is glad to be at Common Pleas

People in the law tend to fall into three categories. There are people who never planned to work in law, people for whom law was just one possible career and people for whom there was never any profession but law. Stacy Cook, a judge in the Common Pleas court, falls squarely into the third category.

Copyright © 2007, Toledo Legal News

For Judge Pietrykowski, his family history is a chance to leave his own legacy

Michael Davisson, Toledo Legal News Staff Writer

Appeals Court Judge Mark Pietrykowski is a man with a pedigree. His family is an institution in Toledo. His father was a Federal Magistrate. His uncle served as Clerk of Courts. One great uncle served as Parish Priest to St. Hedwig’s, another was on the city counsel during the 1930’s. Former Toledo Mayor John Carey, is a relative of his. His mother sat on the school board, was a member of the city counsel and served as vice mayor. The first hit when googling the name ‘Pietrykowski’ brings up a web site about the law firm founded by his grandfather.

Copyright © 2007, Toledo Legal News

House Republicans urge prompt delivery of military veteran benefits

Ohio House Speaker William Batchelder and Rep. Terry Johnson are sponsoring a resolution requesting President Barack Obama, Congress and the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to take immediate action to reduce the processing time for veterans' disability benefit claims.

Date Published: May 22, 2013

New works mark annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition at UT

A stone-eyed fish is flying southeast of the Snyder Memorial Building. A neon green pulse beats east of Dowling Hall. And a brainiac’s wheels going round are exposed atop the hill on the west side of University Hall.

Date Published: May 22, 2013

Criminal defendant’s public records request for information that is subject to discovery triggers state’s right to demand reciprocal discovery

The Supreme Court of Ohio ruled on Wednesday, May 15th, that when the defendant in a criminal case directly or indirectly makes a public records request for information that could have been obtained from the state through a discovery demand, the public records request is the equivalent of a demand for discovery, and it triggers the defendant’s duty under Ohio Criminal Rule 16 to provide reciprocal discovery to the state.

Date Published: May 21, 2013

BGSU men's soccer announces 2013 schedule

Bowling Green State University men’s soccer coach Eric Nichols has announced his team’s fall schedule for 2013. The Falcons’ 19-match regular-season schedule, arguably one of the toughest in school history, includes eight home games, all of which will be held under the lights at Cochrane Field.

Date Published: May 20, 2013