DECEMBER 30, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court to hear arguments in Sydney Powell murder case: Akron Beacon Journal
Ohio Supreme Court justices are poised to hear arguments and determine the fate of Sydney Powell over a year after an appellate court overturned her murder conviction in the death of her mother.

Ohio Supreme Court upholds permit for Hancock County solar farm: Toledo Blade
The Ohio Power Siting Board appropriately awarded a permit to construct a 129.6-megawatt solar farm in Hancock County near the village of Arcadia, the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled.

DNA Evidence to Be Tested in 1982 Murder After Ohio Supreme Court Declines Appeal: WLIO
DNA testing in a 40-year-old murder case may move forward after the Ohio Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal seeking to block the testing.

Ohio Supreme Court declines to hear appeal of man convicted in 2021 murder: WSAZ
The Ohio Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from a man convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the 2021 aggravated murder of Kane Roush.

Centerville appeals Sheetz ruling to Ohio Supreme Court: Dayton Daily News
Centerville is asking the Ohio Supreme Court to review the Sheetz development case, seeking to overturn a recent Second District Court of Appeals ruling allowing the gas station and convenience store.

Cases of defendants representing themselves in federal court in northern Ohio spiked in 2025: Cleveland.com
More and more, defendants charged with crimes in federal court in northern Ohio are eschewing attorneys and going it alone. Eight trials in 2025 featured defendants who represented themselves, quadruple the number from last year, according to a review of court records. All eight were found guilty.

Domestic Relations Court focused on efficiency: The Delaware Gazette
This month I had the opportunity to teach two education courses to judges and magistrates for the Ohio Supreme Court. The courses were “Neutral Evaluations” and “Domestic Relations Case Flow Best Practices.” I had taught on both topics before, but teaching the courses back-to-back made me realize how significant it was for me and the Delaware County Domestic Relations Court.

DECEMBER 23, 2025

After her son died in car wreck, Ohio mom fought for public records: The Columbus Dispatch
A mom searching for answers about her son's death in a car wreck won a victory on Dec. 19 when the Ohio Supreme Court ordered the Richland County Sheriff to release records to her.

Ohio Supreme Court finds sufficient evidence in menacing case: Circleville Herald
The Supreme Court of Ohio ruled that sufficient evidence was presented at trial to support an offender’s “Menacing by Stalking” conviction because it proved a victim suffered mental distress by the offender knowingly engaging in a pattern of conduct.

Centerville files appeal in Ohio Supreme Court, challenging decision on future of Sheetz site: WHIO
The City of Centerville has filed an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court regarding the Sheetz development project, challenging a previous decision by the Court of Appeals.

Ohioans case for $900M in unemployment briefed before Supreme Court: The Center Square
The state continues to get help from a Columbus-based policy group in its effort to stop additional COVID-19 era unemployment funds from going to Ohioans. The Buckeye Institute filed a brief with the Ohio Supreme Court after lower courts ruled the state must distribute $900 million in taxpayer funds allocated by Congress for relief to those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic.

Ohio Supreme Court recertifies Lorain County Recovery Court: Chronicle Telegram
The Ohio Supreme Court has re-certified the Lorain County Recovery Court, a specialized drug court docket in Common Pleas Court for eligible felony-level drug offenders, and also designated it as a Mentor Court for other specialized dockets across the state.

DECEMBER 18, 2025

Central Ohio program gives former felons a second chance: WCMH
A program aimed at providing support for convicted felons after they leave prison and re-enter society is seeing positive results. Six months into the pilot program for Franklin County’s first Re-Entry Program, NBC 4 is giving you an inside look into how it works.

Rusu appointed to serve on Ohio Judicial College: The Vindicator
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy has appointed Mahoning County Probate Judge Robert N. Rusu Jr. to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Judicial College for a three-year term starting Jan. 1.

Judge Epley will chair commission: Daily Advocate
The Supreme Court of Ohio appointed Second District Court of Appeals Judge Chris Epley Chair of the Commission on Professionalism for a one-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Judge Michelle Sheehan chosen to lead 8th Ohio District Court of Appeals: Cleveland.com
Judge Michelle Sheehan has been tapped to oversee the appellate court that handles Cuyahoga County cases, one of the largest and busiest in the state.

Beloved Franklin County judge retires after 31 years, plans to pursue other passions: WSYX6
After 31 years on the bench, a beloved Franklin County Municipal Court judge is hanging up his robe and putting down his gavel. While this chapter of his life is wrapping up, 68-year-old James Green says his work isn’t finished yet.

DECEMBER 16, 2025

The Ohio Supreme Court In 2025: A Focus On Civil Procedure: Law360
Close watchers of the Ohio Supreme Court can sometimes identify certain themes or areas of focus that reveal themselves in a given year. If 2025 will be remembered for any particular theme or topic, it might just be the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure.

Ohio man who spent decades on death row for murder has his case dismissed: Portsmouth Daily Times
A man who spent more than a quarter-century on death row for the robbery and murder of a woman at an Ohio hotel had his case dismissed Friday by prosecutors.

Judge denies motion to suppress evidence in Columbiana County murder case: WKBN
The judge in William Long Jr.’s aggravated murder case has denied the motion asking her to suppress evidence from search warrants.
The warrants were for a 2005 Chevy pickup truck, an Apple iPhone and Verizon Wireless records.

Ohio Board Must Hear Union Dues Spat, Not Courts, Ruling Says: Bloomberg Law
Ohio’s employment relations board has sole authority to hear a dispute over union dues paid by a former member, a state appeals court ruled Wednesday.

Ohio appeals court enforces $500k malpractice cap, cuts jury award by $4m: Insurance Business
An Ohio court has upheld a $500,000 malpractice cap, slashing a jury award by $4 million in a win for insurers facing catastrophic injury claims.
The Sixth Appellate District Court of Appeals reversed a lower court decision that would have let Thomas McNalley keep his full $5.15 million jury award. Instead, the court ordered on December 12 that Ohio's $500,000 statutory cap on noneconomic damages be applied, reducing his award by 77.6 percent.

Ohio Fifth District Court of Appeals Names New Leadership for 2026: Ashland County Pictures
The Ohio Fifth District Court of Appeals has announced new leadership for the coming year, with Judge Andrew J. King elected as Presiding Judge and Judge Kevin W. Popham elected as Administrative Judge. Both appointments will take effect January 1, 2026.

DECEMBER 11, 2025

Ohio renters with dogs could be impacted by Supreme Court case: The Columbus Dispatch
A legal case that could impact renters, landlords and dog owners will be heard by the Ohio Supreme Court on Dec. 10.

Who’s responsible when a tenant’s dog bites? Ohio Supreme Court weighs in: WBNS
When a cocker spaniel service dog bit a child at a mobile home park while leashed to some playground equipment, the boy’s mother sued the dog owner and the landlord. The case has raised a legal question about whether a landlord can be held liable.

Ohio Supreme Court case could change where you can rent with a dog: Cleveland.com
A dog bite has set off an Ohio Supreme Court case that could reshape how landlords handle tenants’ pets.

Putnam County murder case could return to Supreme Court: LimaOhio.com
The nearly two-decade judicial odyssey of Travis Soto, a Napoleon man who served prison time for causing the death of his young son in Putnam County in 2006, appears destined to make its second stop before the Ohio Supreme Court.

Amid shortages, Ohio Supreme Court amends requirements for court interpreters: Ideastream
Across Ohio, there’s a shortage of qualified court interpreters: people who can translate complex legal jargon for non-English speakers in the state.

Judge Kennedy appointed Vice-Chair of Ohio Supreme Court Commission: Peak of Ohio
Judge Natasha R. Kennedy has been appointed by the Supreme Court of Ohio to serve as Vice-Chair of the Commission on the Rules of Superintendence for Ohio Courts. The Commission assists the Supreme Court in reviewing and recommending rules for Ohio courts.

DECEMBER 9, 2025

Ohio renters with dogs could be impacted by Supreme Court case: Columbus Dispatch
A legal case that could impact renters, landlords and dog owners will be heard by the Ohio Supreme Court on Dec. 10.

Boardman lawyer suspended: Used non-disclosure agreement to silence assault victim: WFMJ Youngstown
The Supreme Court of Ohio suspended a Boardman attorney for six months following an investigation that determined he lied to a judge and drafted a legal agreement intended to stop a domestic violence victim from cooperating with prosecutors.

Court suspends attorney for interfering with friend’s case: Youngstown Vindicator
The Ohio Supreme Court ordered a six-month law license suspension for Youngstown attorney Gregg Rossi, a former Mahoning County Bar Association president, for interfering with the prosecution of a friend on an assault charge and then lying about it.

Ohio Supreme Court reviewing overturned conviction in Youngstown murder case: WFMJ Youngstown
The Ohio Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Wednesday to determine whether a Youngstown man’s murder conviction should remain overturned or if his original sentence should be reinstated.

Ohio Supreme Court orders first district to reconsider appeal in Elwood Jones retrial: WLWT 5
The Ohio Supreme Court is asking an appeals court to reconsider Hamilton County’s request to stop a new trial against a suspected murderer.

Will new prosecutor keep fighting to send Elwood Jones back to prison?: Cincinnati Enquirer
An Ohio Supreme Court ruling Thursday set the stage for a big decision from Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich: Whether to continue a years-long effort by her office to send Elwood Jones back to Ohio's death row.

Ohio Supreme Court rules cops can be considered victims under Marsy’s Law: Ohio Capital Journal
The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled police officers can be considered victims, and thus not subject to public disclosure, under Ohio’s Marsy’s Law privacy protections.

Local attorney recognized for economic justice work: Elyria Chronicle
Surrounded by towering house plants and memorabilia from his work in Central and South America, he recounted the path that led him to his Elyria office and his years spent in public service law.

Middle school students to learn how system works at county Justice Center event: Elyria Chronicle
Middle school students from five Lorain County school districts will travel to the Lorain County Justice Center at 225 Court St. in Elyria Friday for two sessions of an educational mock trial event at the courthouse.

Three women graduate Lorain County Recovery Court: Elyria Chronicle
Hailey Alba, Elizabeth Ellis and Sarah Kibort successfully completed the specialized Recovery Court and were honored with a brief graduation ceremony in front of their fellow participants.

Akron Bar President discusses ongoing initiatives and changes: Akron Legal News
With the dual goal of increasing membership numbers among younger attorneys and engaging existing members, Akron Bar Association President Brian J. Moore is focused on ushering in new initiatives and overseeing the return of popular ones as he seeks to demonstrate the organization’s ongoing value to members of the legal profession.

DECEMBER 4, 2025

Lordstown council pulls back on data center ban, pushes for temporary moratorium: WKBN
Lordstown Village Council is pulling back on its ban on data centers and is now pushing for a temporary moratorium instead. The move comes as a developer takes its fight to the Ohio Supreme Court, claiming the village is stalling its multi-million dollar project.

Geauga juvenile judge asks Ohio Supreme Court to reconsider his suspension: News 5 Cleveland
Geauga County Juvenile and Probate Judge Timothy Grendell filed a motion requesting the Ohio Supreme Court to reconsider his suspension on Monday.

Changed circumstances have Ohio appeals court remanding disability application: Work Comp Central
An Ohio appellate court issued a limited writ returning a worker’s application for permanent total disability benefits to the Industrial Commission to make findings as to whether he presented evidence of new and changed circumstances.

Bar joins commissioners in support of full-time court in Struthers: WKBN Youngstown
The Mahoning County Bar Association is officially throwing its support behind a move to make Struthers Municipal Court full-time.

Belmont County mourns former Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato
Belmont County officials are mourning the loss of former Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato, who died at his home Nov. 27…He served as Belmont County Northern Division Court Judge from 1997 through 2013. He then served as Belmont County Common Pleas Judge from August 2013, and as presiding Judge of the Court from 2014 until his retirement in June of 2023. He also ran the county drug court.

DECEMBER 2, 2025

Ohio Supreme Court says police officers have privacy rights, shielding their names: Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio Supreme Court on Nov. 25 ruled that police officers' names may be kept confidential if they're attacked on the job, giving them privacy rights afforded to crime victims.

Ohio Supreme Court rules police officer identities can be hidden from public under Marsy's Law: WOSU
The Ohio Supreme Court sided with the city of Columbus over the Columbus Dispatch, agreeing that a state statute meant to protect the identities of crime victims can apply to on-duty police officers.

Ohio State Supreme Court upholds ruling in multi-state scam; Yu faces up to 11 years: WTOV
A more than two-year-old case involving a multi-state scam resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars being taken from a local man had its ruling upheld by the Ohio State Supreme Court.

Ohio Supreme Court: Ex-NBA player must pay $25K monthly child support after missed deadline: Cleveland.com
A former NBA player must pay $25,000 a month in child support after the Ohio Supreme Court ruled he missed the deadline to challenge a Lorain County magistrate judge’s order by one day.

Shaker Municipal Court adds a victims’ advocate: City Council recap: Cleveland.com
City Council on Monday (Nov. 24) accepted an $84,000 grant to bring a full-time victims’ advocate on staff in Shaker Heights Municipal Court.

New Direction for 10 drug court graduates: Defiance Crescent-News
On Wednesday evening, Nov. 19, 2025, 10 people graduated from the New Direction Drug Court and received their plaques in a ceremony held at the Inn at Backwoods. Begun in 2017 by then Judge Dean L. Wilson, the New Direction Drug Court has instituted a rigorous program that has allowed drug offenders a second chance at life without the chemical addiction that hurtles them down the road of self-destruction.

Free legal clinic will explore differences between divorce, dissolution: Toledo Blade
Volunteers from the Toledo Bar Association will explain the differences between dissolution and divorce with minor children at a free legal clinic Tuesday.