Summit County residents who will head to the polls on Nov. 3 have a clear choice for the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Two non‑partisan candidates have filed, each offering extensive legal experience and a commitment to fairness, efficiency, and community service.
Candidate 1: Nemer – Deputy Chief, Civil, Tax & Child Support Division
John Nemer brings nearly two decades of legal work to the bench. He earned his law degree at Thomas M. Cooley Law School after completing undergraduate studies at John Carroll University and graduating from Walsh Jesuit High School. Nemer’s career includes service as a federal immigration judge, a magistrate for Summit County Probate Court and Akron Municipal Court, and a prosecutor for the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.
In his current role as Deputy Chief of the Civil, Tax, and Child Support divisions, Nemer oversees complex civil litigation, tax disputes, and child‑support matters. He previously served as an Assistant Prosecutor and Community Outreach Prosecutor, training law‑enforcement officers and representing victims before the Parole Board. His private‑sector experience includes work with Catholic Charities, where he assisted individuals who had endured severe trauma.
Nemer emphasizes the need for courts to balance efficiency with fairness. He argues that clear communication, thoughtful use of technology, and consistent docket management can reduce delays without sacrificing impartiality. “My goal is to be a fair, steady, impartial judge whose decisions earn the public’s trust,” he says.
Candidate 2: Judge Tammy O’Brien – Veteran Judge of the General Division
Judge Tammy O’Brien has more than 15 years on the General Division bench and over 30 years of overall legal experience. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education, magna cum laude, from the University of Akron and a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Cleveland‑Marshall College of Law.
Before her judicial appointment in 2011, O’Brien practiced business and civil litigation, appellate advocacy, and employment law in private practice. She has appeared before the Ohio Supreme Court and federal appellate courts and served as a judicial law clerk for the Ohio Court of Appeals, Ninth Appellate District.
O’Brien also contributes to legal education as an adjunct professor of legal writing at the University of Akron School of Law and co‑authored the treatise “Ohio Motions in Limine: Evidence Exclusion Guide.” For more than two decades she has graded the Ohio bar examination as a member of the Board of Bar Examiners.
Her campaign stresses competence, efficiency, and respect for all parties. She notes that Summit County judges currently handle twice the average caseload of comparable Ohio judges. O’Brien pledges to continue encouraging qualified attorneys to represent low‑income individuals and to work with the Ohio Public Defender’s Office to alleviate barriers to legal representation.
Key Issues Highlighted by Both Candidates
- Case Management: Both candidates stress the importance of organized docket control to reduce backlogs.
- Public Communication: Improving public understanding of court procedures is a shared priority.
- Access to Justice: Addressing the shortage of court‑appointed counsel and the high cost of private representation is central to their platforms.
Voters can learn more about each candidate through their campaign websites, social‑media pages, and by contacting the campaign email addresses provided. The Summit County Board of Elections will host a candidate forum in early October, offering residents a chance to ask questions directly.
Remember to verify your polling place and bring proper identification to the ballot box on Nov. 3. Your vote determines who will interpret and apply the law for Summit County’s citizens for the next six years.
Original reporting: Signal Akron — read the source article.
