At its November Meeting at the Ohio Judicial Center, the OAM Board elected Magistrate David Jump of the Franklin County Municipal Court to serve as the Association's President for the year ahead. He succeeds Jonathan Starn who completed his one year term. David has served as the Association's First Vice-President for the past four (4) years. Joining David on the Executive Committee are Greg Clifford of the Cleveland Municipal Court as First Vice-President, William Byrne of the Lucas County Domestic Relations Court as Second Vice-President, Kimberly Stump of the Greene County Domestic Relations Court as Treasurer and Kenneth Roll of the Lake County Common Pleas Court as Secretary. The Board also appointed Pam Heringhaus of the Wood County Domestic Relations Court to replace retiring Magistrate, and former OAM President, Tom Bamburowski. Click here to view all of the current OAM Officers and Board Members.

OAM President Jonathan Starn is pleased to report that he recently receive an invitation from the Chief Justice to join the Presidents of the six Judicial Associations, the Officers of the Judicial Conference, the Deans of Ohio's nine Law Schools and heads of the various Bar Associations to attend the first of its kind meeting on Judicial Branch Leadership scheduled for December 18, 2007 at the Ohio Judicial Center. As noted in the letter of invitation, these leaders have never all met together to talk about such important areas of mutual concern as security, continuing education, ethics, technology, rule making and legislative initiatives. In his letter, the Chief Justice states that "I hope this meeting is the beginning of an ongoing effort to coordinate our collective activities, find common solutions, and provide strategic direction to the judicial branch of Ohio government. President Starn considers it another major milestone for the OAM to be given a presence and voice at such an important gathering.

Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton delivered the Keynote Address to the 2007 Fall Conference held at the Midwest Hotel and Conference Center in Columbus. Justice Stratton shared with the over 200 Magistrates in attendance her latest efforts to promote Mental Health Courts in Ohio as well as other important developments at the Court. Other featured speakers at the Conference were Rick Dove, the newly appointed Assistant Administrative Director of the Court and Attorney General Marc Dann.

At the 2007 Fall Conference, the OAM Judicial Awards were presented to Tim O'Connell, former OAM Board Member and current Judge of the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, Richard Bernat, also a former OAM Board Member and current Judge of the Hamilton County Municipal Court, alonge with Tom O'Malley former Magistrate and current Judge of the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court. Court commitments prevented Judge Bernat from being in attendance. All three are great supporters of the OAM. Click here to view past Judicial Award Winners.

Magistrate Ann Weatherhead of the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court was the 2007 winner of the prestigious OAM Education Award in recognition of her many years of service to the OAM, the Judicial College and her Court. Congratulations Ann! Click here to view past Education Award Winners.

Christy Tull, the Ohio Supreme Court's Judicial College Education Manager, and the winner of the 2003 OAM Education Award, has been elected Vice-President of the National Association of State Judicial Educators, a national organization dedicted to improving the education of state court judges, magistrates and court personnel. Congratulations, Christy! Visit the Ohio Supreme Court's Website to read the offical press release.

In another significant milestone for the OAM, the Magistrates Committee of the Ohio Judicial Conference voted to make the OAM President and Immediate Past President as permanent members of this pivotal committee. The appointments were announced by Committee Co-Chairs, Judge Steve Hurley of the Greene County Domestic Relations Court (an OAM Past-President) and Judge Carol Dezso of the Summit County Domestic Relations Court. Special thanks not only to the Co-Chairs for their support of this initiative by OAM President Starn, but also to Judges Dennis Greaney, Eva Kessler, Matt McFarland and Tim O'Connell all of whom are proud alumns of the OAM Board and current members of the OJC Committee. The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for September 6, 2007 in Columbus.

Former Franklin County Common Pleas Magistrate Michael McPhillips was named earlier this year by new Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann to serve as Chief of the Employment Section of his office. Mike served primarily under three judges: Jennifer Brunner (now Secretary of State), Richard Sheward and Daniel Hogan, and for a short time, for Judge Tim Horton. His appointment was effective April 30, 2007. Congratulations Michael!

Former Montgomery County Common Pleas Magistrate Nadine Ballard was named earlier this year by new Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann to serve as Chief of the Consumer Protection Section of his office. In making the appointment, Dann praised Nadine as being "one of the leading consumer protction advocates in Ohio". Nadine served 15 years as a Magistrate and represented the Association as a member of the Ohio Judicial Conference Civil Law Committtee. Her appointment was effective February 5, 2007. Congratulations Nadine!

At the November meeting of the OAM Board of Trustees, Magistrate Jonathan Starn of the Hancock County Common Pleas Court was elected President of the OAM for the upcoming year. Jonathan recently served as the Association's 2nd Vice-President and continues to serve as the District 3 Representative. He is a 1993 Graduate of Capital University Law School and is a member of the Ohio Judicial Conference Practice and Procedure Committee. Jonathan succeeds Magistrate Mark Huberman who just completed his third term as President.

Magistrate Nancy McMillen of the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court was recently reappointed by Chief Justice Thomas Moyer to serve a full three year term on the new Commission on the Rules of Superintendence for Ohio Courts which is being chaired by Justice Judith Lanzinger. Late last year she was appointed to a one year term by Chief Justice Moyer. Nancy is a member of our Board of Trustees and serves as 8th District Representative.

Magistrate Lora Lynne Stalnaker of the Lake County Probate Court was recently appointed by the OAM Board of Trustees to replace Deb Marik of the Trumbull County Probate Court who chose not to seek re-election after two terms as Chair. Many thanks to Deb for her great service and a hearty welcome to Lora!

Bill Rickrich receives 2006 Education Award!

Licking County Domestic Relations Court Magistrate Bill Rickrich was the recipient of the Association's 2006 Education Award. Bill received the award in recognition of his years of service to the Association as a Board Member, Education Chair, CLE Presenter and OAM representative to the Supreme Court Committee on the Rules of Practice and Procedure. Congratulations Bill! Click here to view past Education Award Winners.

At the recent Fall Conference of the Ohio Association of Magistrates, the Association honored prior Officers and Trustees of the OAM who have gone on to success on the bench. Honored from left to right are Steve Hurley of the Greene County Domestic Relations Court, Matt McFarland of the Fourth District Court of Appeals, Charles Pater of the Butler County Common Pleas Court, Dennis Parish of the 6th District Court of Appeals, Eva Kessler of the Butler County Domestic Relations Court and Dennis Greaney of the Dayton Municipal Court.

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton is welcomed by President Mark Huberman as the Keynote Speaker for the OAM Fall Conference at the Midwest Hotel and Conference Center. Justice Stratton updated the Association on her groundbreaking work on behalf of Mental Health Courts. Justice Stratton has been a great friend of the Association.

Magistrate Coleen Hall Dailey of the Columbiana County Domestic Relations Court recently became the Secretary of the OSBA Family Law Committee. We believe that this is the first time a Magistrate or Judge has ever been elected to this position. Coleen is also a member of the Associations' Board of Trustees. Congratulations Coleen!

Former OAM Board Member Matt McFarland now a Judge of the 4th District Court of Appeals had the privilege of serviing as a visiting Judge on the Ohio Supreme Court in a Lucas County Insurance case that recently came before the high court. Judge McFarland was selected by Chief Justice Moyer in place of Justice Judith Lanzinger who recused herself. He reports being treated respectfully and graciously by his fellow Justices and was honored by the opportunity. Congratulations Matt!

The General Divsion of the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court recently added three new Magistrates, bringing the ratio of Judges to Magistrates to one to one. The new Magistrates (standing from right to left) include Steven D. Shandor (Hon. Maureen Cronin), Dominic J. DeLaruentis, Jr. (Hon. John Durkin), Eugene J. Fehr (Hon. James Evans), Timothy G. Welsh (Hon. R. Scott Krichbaum) and Dennis J. Sarisky (Hon. Maureen Sweeney. The Court has paid for the OAM Membership for all of their Magistrates, most of whom are planning to attend the Fall Conference.