Sharon L. Kennedy

Sharon Lee Kennedy[1] (born March 15, 1962) is a jurist from Hamilton, Ohio who was elected to the Supreme Court of Ohio on November 6, 2012.

Sharon Kennedy
Associate Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
Assumed office
December 7, 2012
Preceded byYvette McGee Brown
Personal details
Born (1962-03-15) March 15, 1962
Hamilton County, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Cincinnati (BA, JD)

Early life and education

Sharon L. Kennedy was born March 15, 1962[2] in Hamilton County, Ohio.[3] She graduated from Northwest High School in 1980,[2] and from the University of Cincinnati School of Social Work with a bachelor's degree in 1984 and she a received a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1991.[3]

Professional career

Kennedy was a police officer with the Hamilton, Ohio Police Department from 1985 to 1989.[4] She was then a law clerk for Judge Matthew J. Crehan and director of the victim/witness division for the Butler County Court of Common Pleas from 1989 to 1991.[4]

After graduating from law school, Kennedy was:[4]

  • in private practice, 1991 to 1998
  • disciplinary counsel for the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 38, representing police officers during disciplinary hearings, 1991 to 1998.
  • Special Counsel for Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery, 1995 to 1998
  • Warrant and Compliance Officer, Butler County Juvenile Court, 1996 to 1997
  • Magistrate and Warrant Officer, Butler County Area Courts, 1995 to 1998

Judge, Butler County Court of Common Pleas, 1992-2012

From 1999 to 2012, Kennedy was Judge and, since 2005, Administrative Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, for Butler County.[2][4]

Associate Justice, Ohio Supreme Court, 2013-present

Kennedy entered the March 6, 2012 Republican Party primary election for the unexpired term ending December 31, 2014 on the Supreme Court of Ohio. She ran unopposed, and received 753,072 complimentary votes.[5] On November 6, 2012, she defeated incumbent Democratic candidate Yvette McGee Brown, who had been appointed to the seat on January 1, 2011 by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. She was sworn in December 7, 2012, after the election was certified.[6]

Ethics Questioned In Redistricting Cases

Justice Kennedy's ethics were questioned after she spoke to a Republican organization and called the issue of redistricting "the fight of our life," and made accusations about progressive groups and individuals, including those who are parties to cases pending before the court.[7]

2022 Campaign for Chief Justice, Ohio Supreme Court

Kennedy, who was re-elected in 2020, is running to replace Maureen O'Connor as Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. She is opposed by Democrat Jennifer Brunner, also an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

Personal

Kennedy is single.[2][3] She lives in Liberty Township, Butler County, Ohio.[3] She has been a member of the Butler County Bar Association since 1991 and a member of the Federalist Society since 2012.[2][4][8]

References
  1. "Hon. Sharon Lee Kennedy". findlaw. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
  2. "Candidate profiles: Ohio Supreme Court Justice - Ohio Supreme Court Justice Unexpired term, ending Dec. 31, 2014". The Repository. August 10, 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
  3. "Biography of Sharon L. Kennedy". Ohio Republican Party. November 24, 2011. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
  4. "credentials". Sharon Kennedy for Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. Retrieved 2012-11-14.
  5. Husted, Jon. "Election Information - Republican Supreme Court - March 6, 2012". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  6. "Newly elected Ohio Supreme Court justice sworn in". San Francisco Chronicle. 2012-12-07. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
  7. "Ohio Justice's comments on redistricting issues raise concerns on impartiality". Spectrum News. March 15, 2022.
  8. "Justice Sharon L. Kennedy". Supreme Court of Ohio. 2012-12-07. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
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