9/20/2012 - West Side Leader
     

DOWNTOWN AKRON — The Akron Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Judicial Candidates has released its evaluation of candidates running for local judgeships in the Nov. 6 General Election. The commission rates the candidates based on seven criteria: integrity, legal knowledge and ability, professional experience, judicial temperament, diligence, personal responsibility and public and community service.

A rating of “Acceptable” requires a vote of a majority of commission members present. If a candidate is rated “Acceptable,” a second ballot is taken to determine if the rating “Recommended” will be awarded, also requiring a vote of the majority. If a candidate is rated “Recommended,” a third ballot is taken to determine if the rating “Highly Recommended” will be awarded. The “Highly Recommended” rating requires a two-thirds majority vote.

This year, the commission was chaired by Thomas Kot.

The ratings are as follows: 

• 9th District Court of Appeals judge, term commencing Feb. 9, 2013: Clair Dickinson — Highly Recommended; Jennifer Hensal — Acceptable

• Summit County Common Pleas Court judge, unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2015: Tammy O’Brien — Highly Recommended; Kathryn Michael — Recommended

• Summit County Common Pleas Court judge, term commencing Jan. 1, 2013: Paul Gallagher — Highly Recommended; Dave Lombardi — Recommended

• Summit County Common Pleas Court judge, term commencing Jan. 2, 2013: John Fickes — Recommended; Amy Corrigall Jones  — Highly Recommended

• Summit County Common Pleas Court judge, term commencing May 17, 2013: Eddie Sipplen — Acceptable; Thomas Teodosio — Highly Recommended

• Summit County Probate Court judge, unexpired term ending Feb. 8, 2015: Alison McCarty — Highly Recommended; Elinore Marsh Stormer — Highly Recommended