[NEohioPAL] Judicial elections

Fri Oct 24 11:53:47 PDT 2008

That is exactly why the site compiles the ratings of multiple bar assoications as well as breaks them out, so you can see exactly which bar assoication might be bringing a judge candidate's rating down -or up. I find it incredibly useful. Judge4Yourself has no biases; it simply transmits information from others who may have biases, but that info is transparent.

-----Original Message-----
From: TONY BROWN <TBROWN at plaind.com>
To: neohiopal at listserve.com; Christopher Fortunato <learnedhand at live.com>
Cc: Suzanne Fortunato <suzanne.fortunato at uhhospitals.org>; Cathy Nowlin <cnowlin at aftra.org>; Bob Boyda <bob.boyda at us.abb.com>; Jenniver Sparano <jenniver_sparano at keybank.com>; Andrew Gorgeny <gorgenyandrew at yahoo.com>; JanWalker <jan.walker at us.initiative.com>; Luke Scattergood <fattyholbert at aol.com>; Laura St. John <lstjohn2 at roadrunner.com>; Michelle Simone <msimone at woio.com>; Melissa Miller <live4himido13 at hotmail.com>; John Thompson <jkjj1259 at aol.com>; pengo at davidhansen.org; Patrice Caine <pcaine at berea.k12.oh.us>; MelMaurer <melmaurer at sbcglobal.net>; Albert Nemeth <ajnemeth at sbcglobal.net>; JonKronenberger <kronenj at verizon.net>; gkukich at wowway.com; Corey Mach <coreymach at gmail.com>; Ira Kirsch <ira at lowrates.net>; Andrew Logan <logana at loganclutch.com>; pburkholder at ameritech.net; Michael Anderson <michael.anderson at uhhospitals.org>; ElizabethTownsend <elizatownsend at aol.com>; Christine Haverly <christine.haverly at antaressolutions.com>; Pat Renz <pat at renzinsurance.com>; Sue Johnson <wakeup4664 at aol.com>; Dennis Keating <w.keating at csuohio.edu>; William Vodrey <wfbvodrey at aol.com>; Brandon George <lordvodagra at aol.com>; Robert W Gibb <rwgibb at jonesday.com>
Sent: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 1:33 pm
Subject: Re: [NEohioPAL] Judicial elections

The judge4yourself website is helpful, but please be aware that, like all 
groups, the group that puts together these ratings has its own biases.

Criminal defense lawyers, for instance (and not to pick on one group, it's just 
a handy example, so please don't think I'm down on criminal defense lawyers; 
I've had to hire one or two in the past and was damn glad to have good ones. . 
.) tend to not think highly of "tough" judges, even if the judge's rulings and 
decisions are perfectly reasonable and within the scope of his or her duties on 
the bench.

So, approach with caution.

And, to tell you the truth, I'd say the same thing about a few of the PD's 
endorsements for bench elections.

t

>>> Christopher Fortunato <learnedhand at live.com> 10/23/2008 9:51 PM >>>

Dear Friends,

In the past I have written on here, with Fred's permission on Neohiopal, to ask 
you to consider certain candidates for judicial office.  At times, lawyers will 
send emails to clients and friends regarding such candidacies.  I am doing this 
jointly to save on time.

There is also a website called judge4yourself.com that you could peruse to see 
what a joint bar association project said about judicial candidates in Cuyahoga 
County this year.  So, there are various sites for you to look at.  There are 
also labor sites and stonewall democrats that have made endorsements as well.  

There are not many judges up in contested races this year and those are the only 
ones (except one) that I will comment on.  The unopposed are in as of filing, so 
I am not indicating a nod for them.

Ohio Supreme Court
Seat 1-1-09- Joseph D. Russo.  Joe is a common pleas judge in Cuyahoga County 
who is running to unseat Maureen O'Connor, whom is backed by the Republicans.  I 
have known him to be an extremely fair judge while appearing before him.  I also 
consider him scholarly as he has served on his law school's law review.  He is 
conscientious and has a good humor about him.

Seat starting 1-2-09- Peter Sikora- currently serving on the Cuy Juvenile Court, 
he has been there since his appt by Gov. Celeste in the late 80s.  Judge Sykora 
is exemplary.  A quadroplegic since his teen years, I am astounded on how he 
gets along so well in spite of his disability.  He has a good mind for a judge 
and will do well to unseat Evelyn Stratton, the Republican already on the court.

Court of Appeals
Only one seat up, the term begins on 2-10-09.  My friend Brian Moriarty would 
make a fine judge if elected.  I have had cases with him as co-counsel and also 
cases opposite him in court.  He is couteous and a gentleman.  He has appeared 
before many appellate panels where a lot of his work consisted of labor work as 
well as assisting in the defense of policemen.  He would do well on the bench.

Common Pleas
1-2-09-  NANCY FUERST.  The name says it all.  Unopposed, but I have known her 
since law school and have always enjoyed her treatment of me.  Simply put, she 
has the temperament for the job.  She is unassuming, yet very much in control of 
her courtroom.  Judge Fuerst had a great amount of life experience before 
ascending the bench.  Prior to practicing law, she ran a business and raised a 
family.  Her father is the late Norman Fuerst who was a judge for many years in 
Cuyahoga County and a friend.  

1-3-09  Steven Terry.  My former boss in the Cleveland Prosecutor's Office.  
Judge Terry was first assistant and we assistants worked through him on many 
matters.  I never saw him lose his cool.  Judge Terry has been a prosecutor, and 
a judicial administrator in the county.  Gov. Strickland appointed him judge and 
I think it was a great appointment.  I've appeared before him and he has the 
temperament and good mind to decide legal issues for us.  This is a good vote 
here.

1-10-09  Lynn McLaughlin Murray.  A magistrate in Cleveland Municipal Court, 
Lynn Murray is fighting the good fight running against a thirty year incumbent, 
Richard McMonagle.  She may not win this time, but I want to give her the 
chance.

2-9-09  Sam Zingale.  Sam is a former judge who is running against a name 
candidate this year. He will probably lose to her.  I generally liked his work 
when he was a judge back in the early 90s.  He lost to a name candidate back 
then for reelection.

Probate Court
2-9-09  Laura Gallagher.  An assistant prosecutor, Laura is running against the 
redoubtable Kathleen Ann Sutula.  Judge Sutula has been on the court of common 
pleas for 18 years and I would like her to stay there where she runs a 
formidable tight ship and is extremely respectful of attorney's time.  She also 
knows the ins and outs of many intricate type of common pleas procedures like 
habeas corpus.  So, I would like her to stay in her current bench.  Laura 
Gallagher will bring a fresh approach to the Probate Court if elected.

NON-JUDICIAL RACE

PETER LAWSON JONES.  A tireless supporter of the arts is running for reelection 
to County Commissioner.  He is also a fine lawyer whom I once tried a case 
before and a gentleman.  He is a good friend of my good friend, Sue H. Johnson

MARY ROSE OAKAR- my good friend and former boss is running for State School 
Board.  Mary Rose is a former teacher as well as former Congresswoman.

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