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Jennifer is from Wadsworth, Ohio and attended Wadsworth Senior High School. She has a bachelors degree from the University of Akron and a law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law. She and her husband Ted Lesiak have children. 

The Court of Appeals of Ohio Ninth Appelate District, The Honorable Jennifer L. Hensal

Before becoming an appellate judge, Jennifer served as the assistant director of law in the City of Wadsworth and as an assistant prosecutor in the City of Medina and City of Wadsworth.  She has served as a visiting judge with the Ohio Supreme Court in 2014, 2019, and 2021. 

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Jennifer Hensal is currently serving as a Court of Appeals Judge for the Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals. She was first elected in 2012 and is serving her second term. 

As of August 7, 2024, Jennifer Hensal did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

As the assistant director of law in the City of Wadsworth, she provided skilled professional legal services, conducted legal research, prepared and reviewed legal documents, and prepared written opinions on a wide variety of issues.

As an assistant prosecutor in the City of Medina and City of Wadsworth, she reviewed the charges individuals are arrested for, determined which cases and charges will be tried in court, drafted and filed documents and warrants, prosecuted criminal charges on behalf of the government, and provided sentencing recommendations for convicted felons.

As a visiting judge with the Ohio Supreme Court, she temporarily assisted with the duties of the court.

- As the assistant director of law in the City of Wadsworth, she provided skilled professional legal services, conducted legal research, prepared and reviewed legal documents, and prepared written opinions on a wide variety of issues.
- As an assistant prosecutor in the City of Medina and City of Wadsworth, she reviewed the charges individuals are arrested for, determined which cases and charges will be tried in court, drafted and filed documents and warrants, prosecuted criminal charges on behalf of the government, and provided sentencing recommendations for convicted felons.
- As a visiting judge with the Ohio Supreme Court, she temporarily assisted with the duties of the court.

Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Jennifer Hensal

Judicial Votes Count, Steve S Elliott

Steve is from Canton, Ohio and attended Glenoak High School. He has a bachelors degree in sociology from Bowling Green State University and a law degree from The University of Akron. He is married and has children. 

Steve is currently the chief magistrate for the Summit County Probate Court. He has also served there as a magistrate and a court investigator. He has previously been the owner of Steven S. Elliott, Attorney at Law and a partner at Davis, Eoff & Elliott. Additionally, he has worked as a federal officer for the Central Intelligence Agency and a parole officer for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. 

Steve Elliot's campaign for Judge in the Ninth Court of Appeals is his first run for public office. 

As of August 7, 2024, Steve Elliott did not have a website or any information online.

As chief magistrate judge, he assigns cases to lower magistrates, determines the court’s schedule, and appoints magistrates to be confirmed by the superior court.

As a magistrate and a court investigator, he oversaw minor preliminary criminal hearings and civil suits, issued marriage licenses and warrants, administered the estates of deceased persons, appointed guardians to incapacitated adults and minors, and committed individuals for involuntary treatment of addiction and mental illness.

As the owner of a law practice, he oversaw finances and budgeting, shaped and enforced firm culture, helped attract new clients, managed and mentored legal associates, and guided growth in the firm’s areas of legal practice.

As a partner at Davis, Eoff & Elliott, he managed key client relationships, pursued new clients, mentored junior lawyers, oversaw certain areas of legal practice, and provided legal counsel on behalf of clients.

- As chief magistrate judge, he assigns cases to lower magistrates, determines the court’s schedule, and appoints magistrates to be confirmed by the superior court.
- As a magistrate and a court investigator, he oversaw minor preliminary criminal hearings and civil suits, issued marriage licenses and warrants, administered the estates of deceased persons, appointed guardians to incapacitated adults and minors, and committed individuals for involuntary treatment of addiction and mental illness.
- As the owner of a law practice, he oversaw finances and budgeting, shaped and enforced firm culture, helped attract new clients, managed and mentored legal associates, and guided growth in the firm’s areas of legal practice.
- As a partner at Davis, Eoff & Elliott, he managed key client relationships, pursued new clients, mentored junior lawyers, oversaw certain areas of legal practice, and provided legal counsel on behalf of clients.

Served as a member of the Community Action Akron Summit board, the Oriana House advisory committee, the Green Youth Basketball Association board, and the Summit County Nursing Home task force.

Is a member of Harmony Springs Christian church and serves on the staff parish relations committee, endowment committee and finance committee of the Tallmadge United Methodist Church.

Acts as a lecturer for crisis intervention, the Akron Bar Association, and the Ohio Association of Magistrates.

Serves as the vice chair of the Akron Bar Association Probate Section.

Volunteers as a coach for the Ohio Spikes Travel Baseball Organization and the Stampede Travel Softball Organization.

- Served as a member of the Community Action Akron Summit board, the Oriana House advisory committee, the Green Youth Basketball Association board, and the Summit County Nursing Home task force.
- Is a member of Harmony Springs Christian church and serves on the staff parish relations committee, endowment committee and finance committee of the Tallmadge United Methodist Church.
- Acts as a lecturer for crisis intervention, the Akron Bar Association, and the Ohio Association of Magistrates.
- Serves as the vice chair of the Akron Bar Association Probate Section.
- Volunteers as a coach for the Ohio Spikes Travel Baseball Organization and the Stampede Travel Softball Organization.

Steve Elliott

- Each Ohio district has 4 to 12 Court of Appeals judges, depending on case volume.
- Any three judges from a district form a court to review appeals from lower courts, checking for legal errors. The 10th district (Franklin County) also reviews cases from the Ohio Court of Claims, which handles civil suits against the state.
- This court is the only appellate court before the Ohio Supreme Court and can issue orders like writs of habeas corpus, which forces a jail to justify holding someone, or writs of mandamus, which directs a government official to perform a mandatory duty.
- Judges serve a 6-year term, are elected in partisan elections, and earn a salary of $178,100.
- To qualify, judges must have been practicing law in Ohio for at least one year and have six years of experience as a lawyer or judge in any U.S. court. 

Ohio Court of Appeals Judge, Division 9

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Legal Experience

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