The Ohio State Bar Association’s (OSBA) Commission on Judicial Candidates completed its evaluation of candidates seeking election this year to the Supreme Court of Ohio, and Wednesday released the following ratings:

Candidate Rating

Judge R. Patrick DeWine Not Recommended

Judge Patrick F. Fischer Highly Recommended

Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor Highly Recommended

Judge John P. O’Donnell Recommended

Judge Colleen M. O’Toole Not Recommended

Judge Cynthia Westcott Rice Highly Recommended

The 25-member panel, chaired by OSBA Past-President Jonathan Hollingsworth, evaluated each of this year’s candidates according to non-political criteria: legal knowledge and ability; professional competence; judicial temperament; integrity; diligence; personal responsibility; and public/community service.

According to Hollingsworth, the OSBA evaluation process rates each candidate individually according to the Commission’s criteria. The individual rating process makes it possible for two or more candidates to receive the same rating.

Candidates who receive favorable evaluations from less than 60 percent of the Commission members are rated “Not Recommended.” In the view of the Commission, this candidate’s qualifications are not suited to perform the duties and responsibilities of chief justice or justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

If at least 60 percent of the Commission members vote in favor of a “Recommended” rating, the candidate receives that rating. In the view of the Commission, this candidate would be able to perform satisfactorily as the chief justice or justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

If the “Recommended” rating is received, then a second vote is held to determine whether the candidate will receive a rating of “Highly Recommended.” This requires a favorable vote of at least 70 percent of the Commission members. In the view of the Commission, this candidate possesses a high combination of legal knowledge and ability, professional competence, judicial temperament, integrity, diligence, personal responsibility and demonstrated public and community service, and would be capable of outstanding performance as the chief justice or justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

If the “Highly Recommended” rating is received, then a third vote is held to determine if the candidate will receive a rating of “Superior.” Any candidate receiving favorable votes from at least 80 percent of the Commission members will receive the rating of “Superior.” In the view of the Commission, this candidate possesses the highest combination of legal knowledge and ability, professional competence, judicial temperament, integrity, diligence, personal responsibility and demonstrated public and community service, and would be capable of outstanding performance as the chief justice or justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

The Commission reviewed references and materials submitted by the candidates and conducted personal inquiries among lawyers, judges and other sources. The Commission conducts in-person candidate interviews and determines its ratings by secret ballot.

Hollingsworth said the Commission was composed of himself as chair and one representative from each of the OSBA’s 18 geographic districts. Additionally, six at-large members who reflect the diversity of the organization’s 22,000 lawyer members serve as appointees of the OSBA president and Board of Governors.

Members of the 2016 OSBA Commission on Judicial Candidates are: Jonathan Hollingsworth (chair, Dayton); John C. Kaspar (Lebanon); Robert L. Gresham (Vandalia); Scott T. Coon (Bowling Green); Craig F. Frederickson (Toledo); Stephen F. Tilson (Galion); Mark F. Roberts (Springfield); Stephen E. Chappelear (Columbus); Mark K. McCown (Ironton); Mark J. Howdyshell (McConnelsville); Joseph Cirigliano (Avon); William D. Dowling Jr. (Akron); Mark S. Floyd (Beachwood); Joseph L. Ludovici (East Liverpool); William W. Emley Sr. (Canton); C. Keith Plummer (Cambridge); Kraig E. Noble (Saint Marys); William W. Henderson (Logan); Kevin P. Murphy (Warren); Melissa A. Graham-Hurd (Akron); Gregory G. Guice (Cleveland); Kyle A. Silvers (Toledo); Paul B. Roderer Jr., (Dayton); Kathleen A. Stoneman (Carrollton); and Tabitha D. Justice (Dayton).

Staff report