Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Honorable Judge Kathryn Michael

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Kathryn earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Akron and her law degree from the University of Akron School of Law. She resides in Fairlawn with her husband and child.

Kathryn worked as a trial attorney for the law firm Arter & Hadden. She also started her private legal practice. 

Kathryn Michael currently serves as a judge for the Common Pleas Court in Summit County. She was elected in 2019 and is serving her first term. She previously served as a judge for the Akron Municipal Court. 

As a judge for the Court of Common Pleas, serves as the presiding judge of the Domestic Violence Intervention Court and oversees a program focused on holding repeat domestic violence offenders accountable through intensive supervision, a batterer’s intervention program, and treatment protocols designed to break the cycle of generational abuse.

As a judge for the Akron Municipal Court for 13 years, created the court's first New Judge’s Manual and served as co-presiding judge of the Operating a Vehicle Impaired Court Program. She also led the Family Intervention Court for 9 years, an Ohio Supreme Court-certified program for domestic violence offenders.

As an attorney for Arter & Hadden, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in general practice

- As a judge for the Court of Common Pleas, serves as the presiding judge of the Domestic Violence Intervention Court and oversees a program focused on holding repeat domestic violence offenders accountable through intensive supervision, a batterer’s intervention program, and treatment protocols designed to break the cycle of generational abuse.
- As a judge for the Akron Municipal Court for 13 years, created the court's first New Judge’s Manual and served as co-presiding judge of the Operating a Vehicle Impaired Court Program. She also led the Family Intervention Court for 9 years, an Ohio Supreme Court-certified program for domestic violence offenders.
- As an attorney for Arter & Hadden, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in general practice

Legal Experience

As of August 23, 2024, Kathryn Michael did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Serves as a member of the Akron Rotary Club, the St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, and is a former member of the Junior League of Akron.

- Serves as a member of the Akron Rotary Club, the St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, and is a former member of the Junior League of Akron.

Community Involvement

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Kathryn Michael

Kathryn is a member of the Akron Rotary Club, a member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, and a former member of the Junior League of Akron.

- Kathryn is a member of the Akron Rotary Club, a member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, and a former member of the Junior League of Akron.

- 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.