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Newly appointed common pleas judge discusses his goals
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: June 28, 2016
Ever since he took the bench on June 15, newly appointed Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge Scot A. Stevenson said he’s been focused on two things: Learning the ropes and keeping the court’s docket flowing.
The longtime Akron attorney filled the seat vacated by Judge Thomas M. Parker. Judge Parker resigned in late March to become a magistrate judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. He replaced Magistrate Judge Greg A. White, who retired on Feb. 29.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich announced his selection of Judge Stevenson on June 10. Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor administered the oath at his investiture held Wednesday.
Emmalee Kalmbach, a spokesperson for Gov. Kasich issued the following statement: “Judge Scot Stevenson will be an invaluable asset to the Summit County Common Pleas Court. While gaining legal experience both in private and in public service, Judge Stevenson has made it a priority to work voluntarily in northeast Ohio in order to generate opportunities for those in his community to reach their full potential.”
Judge Stevenson said he’s had an interest in being a judge since law school.
“I was aware that the local Republican Party had submitted my name to Gov. Kasich for consideration. My name has gone to the governor in the past so the news that I had been chosen was not a complete surprise.
“The judges at the common pleas court have been very helpful and gracious to me, answering any questions that I have,” said Judge Stevenson. “While I am currently focused on preventing any backlogs in cases, I would like to get more involved in the court’s access to justice program. Assisting clients who can’t pay is important to me. I have been involved with Community Legal Aid in Akron for many years.”
Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge Todd McKenney said he’s happy to have Judge Parker’s seat filled by someone like Judge Stevenson, who possesses a wide variety of experience.
“Judge Stevenson sat in on a sentencing with me when he first arrived to get a feel for how I do things,” said Judge McKenney. “The court is a very collegial environment and we always help one another out.”
Born in Akron and raised in Barberton, Judge Stevenson received his bachelor’s degree in history and his juris doctor from The University of Akron. He said he’s been thinking about going into the legal profession since at least high school.
“My father was a claims adjuster for Westfield Insurance and he always encouraged my older brother and I to go to law school,” said Judge Stevenson. “My brother is a former customs attorney for General Motors.
“I think my initial fascination with law centered around the way in which it has helped societies to progress over history,” he said. “But when I went into practice I really enjoyed helping clients to address their legal concerns so they could go back to their lives.”
Judge Stevenson began his career as a law clerk for 9th District Court of Appeals Judge John Reece. Afterwards, he became a general practitioner in Barberton, moving his practice to Akron in 2000, where until recently he shared office space with attorneys Alfred Schrader and Janice Romanoski.
“Not withstanding that I and the other attorney are Democrats, we have always been able to work collaboratively with Scot,” said Romanoski. “He is a respectful and courteous person with a delightful sense of humor. I think I can speak for the staff as well as myself that we will miss seeing and talking with him.”
In addition to having his own practice, Judge Stevenson has held a number of part-time legal positions over the years, including being law director for Twinsburg Township from 2011 until he took the bench.
Stevenson has also served as a magistrate in Barberton Municipal Court and the Cuyahoga Falls Mayor’s Court as well as a hearing officer for the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
In 2004 and 2011 Judge Stevenson received Community Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year Award. Last year he was given the Community Legal Aid Pro Bono Special Recognition Award at the nonprofit organization’s October “Justice for All” event.
“He received those awards in recognition of his outstanding commitment to helping low-income people in our community and his willingness to help in whatever needs to be done,” said Jennifer van Dulmen, a managing attorney at Community Legal Aid Services Inc. “He has been a volunteer for many years and has volunteered for difficult caes and at legal clinics.
“His leadership encourages other attorneys to take on the cases that will have the greatest impact in our community.”
She said last October during National Pro Bono Month members of the Akron Bar Association’s Incubator Program visited Legal Aid, where Judge Stevenson joined a small panel of pro bono attorneys who talked about the importance of pro bono service. “The program encouraged young attorneys to incorporate pro bono work into their practice,” said van Dulmen. “He was chosen because of his positive attitude and commitment to pro bono work.”
A member of the Akron and Ohio State bar associations, Judge Stevenson serves on the Barberton Area Salvation Army Advisory Board and is also a Barberton Public Library trustee and Barberton Civil Service commissioner.
He lives in Barberton with his wife Diana, who serves as the clerk of the Barberton Municipal Court. They have two sons, Joshua and Alex. Judge Stevenson coached his children’s Little League baseball teams in Barberton and Norton.
“One of the biggest problems that courts in Summit County are dealing with is ensuring that the large number of residents suffering with addictions get treatment,” said Judge Stevenson. “We need to find a balance between incarcerations and community control.
“The other big issue is foreclosures,” said Judge Stevenson. “One in three cases before the court involves a foreclosure. The court needs to make sure the rights of residents are protected.”
Although Judge Stevenson’s main focus is on the day-to-day cases that come before him, he is also working to get his election campaign off the ground.
To remain on the bench, he will have to win the Nov. 8 general election. His Democratic challenger is Akron Municipal Court Judge Joy Malek Oldfield. The outcome will decide who gets to fill the remainder of Judge Parker’s unexpired term, which ends on April 30, 2021.
“There is some level of challenge in having to get up to speed and think about campaigning at the same time,” said Judge Stevenson. “I am glad that I have magistrate experience so I am used to running trials.”