After 15 years of being a stay-at-home mom, Judge Melena Siebert of the Twelfth District Court of Appeals decided to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer. It was a step that ultimately led to her hearing a case as an assigned judge on the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Judge Siebert heard Dornette v. Green Building Consulting and Redknot Holdings, Case No. 2025-1637. The case considered who is responsible for the payment of attorney fees when there is a breach of settlement. She sat for Justice Megan E. Shanahan, who recused herself. The Ohio Constitution allows the chief justice to appoint an appellate judge to hear a case when there is a recusal.

Before the Bench
Originally from a small town in southwest Ohio, Judge Siebert studied marketing at the University of Cincinnati and pursued sales for eight years before staying at home with her children for 15 years. The entire time, she didn’t stop thinking about law school, and her husband encouraged her to chase her dream. At age 46, she returned to her alma mater to attend the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She practiced constitutional and election law for a national firm until 2024, when she was elected to be a judge serving the Twelfth District.

“Taking a chance is almost always scary, but it almost always pays rewards far greater than you can ever imagine,” Judge Siebert said.

She highlighted the responsibility that everyone has in creating a healthy society and effective government.

“Judges play an important role within this constitutional republic, but no more so than members of the executive or legislative branches of government, or of the people themselves.”

Considering Careers
Using her own career as an example, Judge Siebert offered advice on finding the right profession. She said “never be afraid to pivot” to a different sector of law or a different career entirely. She explained that a choice early in life does not need to dictate the path a person stays on.

Outside of Court
While not on the bench, Judge Siebert serves on the Family Promise of Butler County Board of Trustees and is an active member of her church. Family Promise is a program that helps move families with children out of homelessness and into permanent housing.