Jennifer is originally from Aliance, NE. She has a bachelor's degree in English and communications from Miami University and a law degree from Ohio State University. Jennifer and her family are active members of St. Hilary Parish, where she is a lector.

Jennifer previously worked as a magistrate at Akron Municipal Court, a corporate litigation attorney, and a solo practitioner. She also served as a Judge Advocate General Lieutenant in the US Navy for 3 years.

Jennifer D. Towell currently serves as a Summit County common pleas judge. She was elected to this position in 2022 and is seeking reelection for her 2nd term.

LinkedIn

As a court of common pleas judge, reviews the decisions of certain state administrative agencies, issues marriage licenses, administers divorce, spousal support, parental custody, adoption, and eminent domain  proceedings, and oversees criminal felony cases, civil suits with alleged damages over $15,000, and cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless.

As a municipal court magistrate, oversaw cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducted preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issued search and arrest warrants, and determined sentencing in certain minor criminal cases.

As a litigation attorney at Brouse McDowell, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in business litigation.

As a Judge Advocate General’s Corp in the US Navy, represented Sailors and Marines in cases ranging from murder to distributing narcotics.

- As a court of common pleas judge, reviews the decisions of certain state administrative agencies, issues marriage licenses, administers divorce, spousal support, parental custody, adoption, and eminent domain  proceedings, and oversees criminal felony cases, civil suits with alleged damages over $15,000, and cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless.
- As a municipal court magistrate, oversaw cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducted preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issued search and arrest warrants, and determined sentencing in certain minor criminal cases.
- As a litigation attorney at Brouse McDowell, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in business litigation.
- As a Judge Advocate General’s Corp in the US Navy, represented Sailors and Marines in cases ranging from murder to distributing narcotics.

Legal Experience

Candidate website

Plans to prioritize timely justice, court accessibility, professional responses, and addressing job-related stress.

- Plans to prioritize timely justice, court accessibility, professional responses, and addressing job-related stress.

Judicial Administration

As of August 23, 2024, Jennifer D. Towell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Served as the Akron area coordinator for Buddy Up Tennis, a national nonprofit that offers exercise and tennis opportunities for those with Down syndrome for the past 10 years.

Served as the Akron area coordinator for Buddy Up Tennis, a national nonprofit that offers exercise and tennis opportunities for those with Down syndrome.

Appointed to the Child Fatality Review Board, which reviews child deaths to determine preventable causes and improve child safety, by County Executive Ilene Shapiro in 2024.

Serves on the Child Fatality Review Board, which reviews child deaths to determine preventable causes and improve child safety.

Plans to continue collaborating with the Akron Bar Association to plan the 2024 Bench Bar Conference.

Serves on the Ohio State Bar Foundation Grants Committee and is working with the OSBF to host an Akron Volunteer event for attorneys to provide community support.

Served as a member of the "Connect" Developmental Disability Court Advisory Board.

- Served as the Akron area coordinator for Buddy Up Tennis, a national nonprofit that offers exercise and tennis opportunities for those with Down syndrome.
- Serves on the Child Fatality Review Board, which reviews child deaths to determine preventable causes and improve child safety.
- Plans to continue collaborating with the Akron Bar Association to plan the 2024 Bench Bar Conference.
- Serves on the Ohio State Bar Foundation Grants Committee and is working with the OSBF to host an Akron Volunteer event for attorneys to provide community support.
- Served as a member of the "Connect" Developmental Disability Court Advisory Board.

Community Involvement

Instagram

Facebook

Jennifer D. Towell

Jennifer D. Towell currently serves as a Summit County Common Pleas Judge. She was elected to this position in 2022 and is seeking reelection for her 2nd term.

Believes in the importance of hard work and volunteers to reach voters.

As a judge, coordinated eviction hearings, wrote decisions, managed a civil docket, and presided over criminal arraignments.

As a magistrate, coordinated eviction hearings, wrote decisions, managed a civil docket, and presided over criminal arraignments.

Proudly serves on the Court of Common Pleas.

Believes remote court during the pandemic led to unprofessional behavior, citing "cigar smoking, tank tops and Zooming from a moving vehicle" as examples.

Supports community involvement, highlighting local "Unsung Hero" Jennifer Towell for her dedication to helping children with special needs and their families.

Jennifer D. Towell and her family are active members of St. Hilary Parish. She currently resides in Bath, Ohio.

Jennifer D. Towell currently serves as a Common Pleas Judge in Summit County, a position she has held since 2022. She previously worked as a magistrate in Akron Municipal Court, a corporate litigation attorney, and a solo practitioner. She began her career as a JAG Lieutenant in the US Navy.

Jennifer D. Towell has served as a Common Pleas Judge since 2022 and was appointed to the Child Fatality Review Board in 2024. She is currently a member of the Ohio State Bar Foundation Grants Committee and is working with the Akron Bar Association to plan the 2024 Bench Bar Conference.

- The Court of Common Pleas handles criminal felony cases and civil cases where more than $5,000 is at stake.
- The courts are divided into four divisions: general, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile. Each specializes in different types of cases, such as civil and criminal trials, divorces and child custody matters, inheritances and adoptions, and juvenile offenses.
- Ohio has a court of common pleas in each of its 88 counties.
- Common pleas judges are elected to six-year terms in nonpartisan elections.
- Common pleas judges earn $163,792 annually.