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

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. 

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. 

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

- 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. 