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Prior to his election to the Supreme Court of Ohio in November 2006, Justice Robert R. Cupp served on the Ohio Court of Appeals, Third Appellate District, which comprises 17 counties in northwest and west central Ohio. He was selected Presiding Judge of the court in 2005 and Administrative Judge in 2004. In fact, much of Bob Cupp's 30-year legal career has been committed to effective public service.

Prior to becoming a judge, Bob Cupp served 16 years as a member of the Ohio Senate, commencing in 1985 and ending in 2000 with the advent of Ohio's legislative term limits. He won each election by wide vote margins. Before his election to the legislature, Bob served as a Lima City Prosecutor and Assistant Director of Law (1976-80). He was twice elected Allen County Commissioner (1981-1984, 2001-02). He also engaged in the private practice of law in Lima for over 25 years. He is a member of the Allen County and Ohio State Bar Associations. He coauthored the book, [Legal] Ethics and Discipline in Ohio, published by the Ohio State Bar Foundation (1977).

In the Senate, Bob Cupp served as President Pro Tempore, the second-highest Senate leader (1997 through 2000). As chairman of the Civil Justice Subcommittee, and a 10 year member of the Judiciary Committee, he focused on civil and criminal justice issues.  As a member of the Education Committee, he worked extensively on education and school finance improvement issues. As Chairman of the Commerce and Labor Committee, he worked to improve the state's workers' compensation system. He also served on the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee and the Finance, Agriculture, Ways and Means, State and Local Government, and Legislative Information Systems Committees.

Bob Cupp has twice received the Ohio State Bar Association's Distinguished Service Award. He received the Ohio Association of Elected Officials' Robert E. Hughes Memorial Award in recognition of this outstanding contribution to the improvement of the election process in Ohio. He is also the recipient of the State 4-H Alumni Award.

In addition to his current judicial service, Bob Cupp serves as a member of the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management by appointment of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, Thomas J. Moyer. He was a visiting professor at Ohio Northern University, his alma mater, teaching judicial process and leadership. He is a past president of the 13-county Black Swamp Area Boy Scout Council and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Higher Learning Commission of the NCA.

Bob was born in rural Allen County and grew up on his family's farm. He earned his political science degree with high distinction from Ohio Northern University in 1973 and his law degree from Ohio Northern's Pettit College of Law in 1976. As a student at ONU, he served as president of the Student Senate.

Bob's wife, Libby, is an educator. They are the parents of two sons, Matthew and Ryan. Both sons are Eagle Scouts.