Court News
April 11, 2006
Hamilton County Appellate Judge Hears Supreme Court Case
Judge Sylvia Hendon of the 1st District Court of Appeals served as a visiting judge on the Supreme Court of Ohio today and heard oral arguments in a Lucas County workers' compensation case.
Judge Hendon was selected by Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer to sit in place of Justice Judith Ann Lanzinger, who recused herself from Case Nos. 2005-1355 and 2005-1473, Myers v. City of Toledo.
According to the Ohio Constitution, in the event of a recusal by a Justice, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court can select any of the 68 sitting Ohio appellate court judges to sit temporarily on the Supreme Court.
“We are pleased to have Judge Hendon join us today,” Chief Justice Moyer said. “Her participation provides the parties in the case with a court of seven justices despite the recusal of Justice Lanzinger.”
The case examines if, in a workers' compensation case or other “special proceeding,” a court order requiring a person to undergo physical or mental examination by an independent physician is a “final order” that may be challenged immediately in a court of appeals, without waiting for the trial court to issue a decision on the merits of the underlying claim.
Judge Hendon was elected to the 1st District Court of Appeals, which serves Hamilton County, in 2004. Prior to that, she served as a Hamilton County trial court judge for 22 years. During that time, she held positions such as administrative and presiding judge of the Hamilton County Municipal Court and presiding judge of the Hamilton County Juvenile Court. She is currently a trustee for the University Hospital, Xavier University and Ursuline Academy.
“I am absolutely honored to be asked to do this so early in my appellate career,” Judge Hendon said.
Archived video of this case and every case argued before the Supreme Court of Ohio since March 2004 is available at www.SupremeCourtofOhio.gov/videostream.
For a high resolution, publication-quality photo of Judge Sylvia Hendon, please click on the above photo or visit: http://www.supremecourtofohio.gov/Communications_Office/Press_Releases/2006/hendon_highres.zip.
Contact: Katie Riedel at 614.387.9250.