|
|
Three judicial appointments have been announced by Gov. Ted Strickland: Jody Luebbers was appointed to the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, William Rickett to the Wayne County Municipal Court and Jerome Catanzaro to the Pike County Court of Common Pleas, Probate and Juvenile Division.
Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas
Jody Luebbers, 45, of Cincinnati, has been appointed to the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas.
Luebbers fills the seat vacated by the retirement of Judge Alex M. Triantafilou.
“Jody brings to the bench a distinguished legal career and history of community involvement in Hamilton County,” Strickland said. “She has demonstrated a high standard of professionalism and integrity that will be a great asset to her judicial service.”
Luebbers has served as the chief assistant prosecuting attorney for the Hamilton County Municipal Court Division since 2005.
From 1999-2005, Luebbers worked as an associate for Fox and Fox LPA in Cincinnati, where she handled workers’ compensation cases, personal injury cases, social security claims, unemployment hearings, criminal defense work and other miscellaneous cases. She previously served as a law clerk/constable in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas from 1986-1990.
Luebbers is a member of the Cincinnati Bar Association. She is also active in her community, serving as a Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout co-leader, and PTO committee member.
Luebbers received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Miami University in 1985 and a law degree from Chase College of Law in 1990.
“Being a judge is one of the most fulfilling and challenging forms of public service,” Luebbers said. “I look forward to taking on this important responsibility and serving the people of Hamilton County.”
Luebbers plans on taking the bench in June.
Wayne County Municipal Court
William Rickett, 56, of Wooster, has been appointed to the Wayne County Municipal Court.
Rickett fills the judicial seat vacated by the retirement of Judge Stuart K. Miller.
“Bill is an active community member and respected lawyer in Wayne County,” Strickland said. “His legal expertise and diverse experiences will serve him well on the municipal court.”
Since 1997, Rickett has held several positions at the University of Akron School of Law. He is currently a clinical professor of law and director of the law school’s civil litigation clinic. He also serves as a hearing officer for the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority.
Previously, Rickett was a partner with the law firm of Kennedy, Cicconetti and Rickett in Wooster from 1986 to 1997, where he served as a courtroom litigator in the areas of criminal law, juvenile law, family law and personal injury law. Rickett also taught political science and history at Wooster High School from 1975-1986.
Rickett has also served Wayne County in the public sector, serving as a Wooster city councilman from 1978-1982, as a member of the Wayne County Board of Elections from 1990-2002, and currently as a trustee in Wayne Township.
Rickett is an active member of the Wayne County and Akron Bar Associations and serves on several committees, including the Akron Bar Association Municipal Court Committee.
Rickett received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1974, a master’s degree from Ohio State in 1977, and a law degree from the University of Akron in 1986.
“I’m honored by this appointment, and I am committed to serving the court and people of Wayne County with integrity, fairness and professionalism,” Rickett said.
Rickett will take the bench on June 30.
Pike County Court of Common Pleas
Jerome “Jerry” Catanzaro, 55, of Waverly, has been appointed to the Pike County Court of Common Pleas.
Catanzaro fills the seat vacated by the retirement of Judge William Wray Bevens.
“I am confident that as judge, Jerry will be a tireless advocate for the children and families of Pike County,” Strickland said.
Since 1993, Catanzaro has worked in private practice for the law firm of Catanzaro and Rosenberger in Waverly. He also serves as the law director for the village of Beaver, representing them in their criminal and civil matters.
Catanzaro served as the county court judge of Pike County from 1980-1996. He also served as an adjunct professor of law at Shawnee State University from 1990-1992, where he taught contract law, evidence and discovery, and bankruptcy.
Catanzaro has served in various capacities, including president, for the Pike County Bar Association. He is also a law library trustee for the Pike County Law Library Association. Additionally, Catanzaro served as the mock trial advisor for Waverly High School for several years.
He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Cincinnati in 1974 and a law degree from the Ohio State University in 1977.
“As a juvenile judge, I feel that I have the unique opportunity to help young people and improve the quality of life for the families in Pike County,” Catanzaro said. “I will work to ensure integrity, honesty, and high moral values in my service to this community.”
Catanzaro will take the bench on June 4.
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.