Supreme Court of Ohio: Forbes vs. Hawkins

Description of race/referendum:

Not yet expired term ending on December 31, 2026.

To view full candidate profiles, visit Judicial Vote Counting.

Lisa Forbes

Democrat

Education / Experience: 12/2020 to date, Judge, Eighth District Court. (Read more at https://www.judicialvotescount.org)

Website: ForbesForJustice.com

Facebook: facebook.com/ForbesForJustice

Education: Cornell University, 1981 to 1985, BS (Read more at https://www.judicialvotescount.org)

Indicate your legal experience (courts and years)

Eighth District Court, December 14, 2020, until presentation

As a judge at the Court of Appeal, I hear direct appeals of cases originally decided by a court. There are three randomly assigned judges on each panel. In preparation for oral arguments, I read and analyze the documents submitted by the parties, together with the legal authority (case law, statutes, ordinances, ordinances) governing the case. I also analyze the evidence before the court. After oral arguments, I consult with the other panel members to reach a decision. If the parties decide not to plea, we will discuss the date on which the plea would have been heard. I then started preparing advice or assessing the advice of another panel member. When we are unable to reach consensus on the analysis or outcome, I prepare an aligned opinion or a dissenting opinion, as the case may be. In addition, my court regularly reviews requests for en banc consideration, as well as original actions, such as writs of mandamus, procedendo, and interdict.

I had the honor of serving on assignment on the Ohio Supreme Court when one of the justices had to recuse a case.

What about your non-judicial legal experience makes you suitable as a judge?

The depth and breadth of my knowledge of the law, coupled with my understanding of the impact legal decisions have on clients, provides the right mix of experience to interpret and apply the law fairly and equitably as a judge on the Ohio Supreme Court .

For 27 years, I practiced law in trial and appellate courts throughout Ohio, helping clients resolve disputes ranging from complex business disputes to consumer class actions, malpractice claims, trust and estate disputes and more . I have represented clients in legal disputes ranging from a complex business dispute involving a $40 million damages claim, to helping a daughter and her stepmother divide the father’s assets (and ashes) after he died. By representing private individuals and companies in a wide variety of disputes, I have gained an in-depth understanding of substantive and procedural law.

I have seen with my own eyes the impact legal decisions have on parties. The first appeal I argued resulted in the court’s reversal and ruling in my client’s favor. After years of litigation and a devastating jury verdict, my client found himself in a difficult situation because the court had not correctly applied the law. The appellate court corrected the error and changed my client’s life. I saw firsthand the importance of the appeals court.

While working in private practice, I dedicated myself to learning the ins and outs of the law and understanding the impact the law has on our communities. I regularly wrote and spoke about developments in law.

Why are you running for this specific court seat?

I am running for the Ohio Supreme Court because I want to do my part to ensure that the Ohio Supreme Court is an effective firewall that protects our democracy and the rule of law. I have the expertise in the law, experience in our community, and work ethic to bring the intellectual rigor and common sense to the court so that our laws are applied fairly and equitably.

Ohio needs a new justice who will stand up for all Ohioans and stand firm against political pressure. My respect for and knowledge of the intricacies of the law would benefit the work of the court.

When I ran for the Court of Appeal four years ago, I believed that the biggest problem facing the courts was the erosion of respect for the institution. That concern has only grown during the time I’ve been on the bench. In particular, partiality is accepted to explain the outcome of a particular case – no justice, no fair application of the law, no reasoned analysis.

If elected to the Ohio Supreme Court, I will work to ensure the fair and equitable application of the law, regardless of any agenda. This includes how I assess which cases the court should handle and how I prepare substantive advice.

Daniel R. Hawkins

Republican

Candidate email address: [email protected]

Education/experience: 2001-2013: Assistant U.S. Attorney and Director of the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit. 2013-2019: Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court Environmental Division 2019-present: Judge of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division

Twitter: Judge/Hawkins

Website: hawkinsforjustice.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/electjudgehawkins

Education: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University, JD from The Ohio State University College of Law

Indicate your legal experience (courts and years)

Franklin County Municipal Court Environmental Division Judge (2013-2019)

Judge of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division (2019–present)

What about your non-judicial legal experience makes you suitable as a judge?

I spent more than a decade as a prosecutor in Ohio’s largest county, personally presiding over 100 jury trials over the course of my career. As Director of the Special Victims Unit for the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, I oversaw and led the prosecution of hundreds of violent crimes against women and children, including sexual assault, domestic and sexual homicides, infanticides, human trafficking, and Internet child exploitation. My duties include overseeing a staff of seven assistant prosecutors and providing training to law enforcement officers, medical professionals and attorneys throughout the state of Ohio.

Why are you running for this specific court seat?

I’m running because I love this state and I want my children to grow up in a safe and prosperous Ohio. I believe in public service and I would be honored to bring my more than twenty years of legal and judicial experience to our state’s highest court.