Michelle M Fisher
For Judge of the Ashtabula County Court, Western Division
Full Term Beginning 1/1/2023
Candidate Details
- Residence
Orwell - Email
michelle@electjudgefisher.com - Website
electjudgefisher.com - Social Media
facebook.com/electjudgefisher - Age
35 - Occupation
Judge of Western County Court, Ashtabula County - Education
Judge Fisher is a graduate of Pymatuning Valley High School and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Case Western Reserve University. Judge Fisher graduated with honors from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law receiving her Juris Doctor degree cum laude.
In addition to her degrees she has received hundreds of hours of judicial education and training as a magistrate and judge. Most recently, she was selected as one of fifteen judges in the state to participate in Project ECHO, a judicial education program on substance use disorder treatment in the courts taught by judges, doctors, and medical professionals.
- Work Experience
Judge Fisher returned to Ashtabula County after completing her degrees and opened her own firm in Jefferson, Ohio. In private practice, Judge Fisher helped hundreds of clients resolve their legal issues in Ashtabula and the surrounding counties. Her practice included representing clients in criminal cases, divorce and custody issues, real estate, business transactions, tax matters, personal injury, probate, estate planning, and civil litigation.
In November 2018, she was appointed as the Magistrate for Judge Gary L. Yost in the Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas. As a Magistrate, Judge Fisher was responsible for managing the court's civil docket and conducting hearings and trials to decide civil cases, domestic relations matters, injuctions, civil protection orders, and felony criminal arraignments.
In the fall of 2020, Magistrate Fisher was selected as a potential candidate for appointment and on March 1, 2021, Judge Fisher was appointed by the Governor and assumed office as the Western County Court Judge. As the judge, she has administered a docket of over 4,000 cases and conducted thousands of hearings ranging from jury trials to small claims cases.
Judge Fisher has invested in technology to save the county thousands of dollars in transportation costs and officer time. Through her technology investments, the Court can see individuals in treatment or correctional facilities throughout the State by video to resolve their cases more quickly. She has also developed unique court programs for domestic violence and repeat OVI offenders to hold them more accountable than traditional methods.
- Family
Judge Fisher and her husband Jeff raise their five children on the family farm in southern Ashtabula County. - Affiliations
Judge Fisher is a member of many community organizations, boards, and philanthropic causes. Her passions include leadership development, farming, and community mental health advocacy. She is also actively involved with her children's school, athletic, and community programs.
Judge Fisher is a current member of the LEADERship Ashtabula County Board of Directors, Geneva Rotary, Farm Bureau, St. Mary Church in Orwell, Ohio, and the Ashtabula County Bar Association. She previously served on the Board of Directors at Community Counseling Center and as a parish council member.
- Endorsements
Judge Fisher is endorsed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, and Congressman Dave Joyce. www.facebook.com/electjudgefisher
Michelle M Fisher
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Magistrate: Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas (2018-2021)
Judge: Western County Court, Geneva, Ohio (2021- Present)
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I was raised on a farm and have worked everyday since the age of 7. That work ethic has made me dedicated to my career and someone who knows the importance of working hard, even at the small things.
For many years, I ran a successful law firm right here in Ashtabula County. I apply the skills I learned from that business and my accounting degree to evaluating the Court's processes and procedures to make them as efficient and effective as possible. Through my community involvement and representing clients, I honed my ability to communicate effectively with those whom I interact with. In my law practice, I represented hundreds of people in this community with their legal problems- big and small. Practicing primarily in Ashtabula County made me keenly aware of the problems we face locally with those involved in the justice system.
I have experience as an attorney representing individuals on everything from preparing a simple will through murder cases. Their legal issue was important to each of them, no matter the relative size of their problem. I bring the compassion and legal knowledge that I learned in representing clients to the bench, and I recognize that each individual case is important to those involved. I make every attempt as a judge to treat people fairly, with compassion, and to explain my decisions so that all who interact with my Court feel that their concerns have been heard and that justice has been served.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am running to continue to serve as your Western County Court Judge because I believe there is no substitute for judicial experience. I believe the Court needs a judge that has a proven track record and is dedicated to the bench full-time.
As a magistrate I gained experience deciding cases and learned docket management and court administration skills under the supervision of a judge. I have continued to develop those skills and have managed a docket of over 4,000 cases in my time as judge of Western County Court.
The county and municipal courts serve as a form of triage for the justice system. We have a significant volume of cases and as the judge, I have the responsibility for determining what type and degree of the available resources are needed for each case. My education, legal experience, and judicial experience here in Ashtabula County have given me the skills to identify the problems and match them to the degree of resources needed for effective resolution of the issues. I value the input of those before the Court and treat them with compassion and understanding. I have continued to develop my ability to do this over the past four years as a judge and magistrate.
I educate school students about courts and regularly meet with community stakeholders to address the issues seen in our courts. I hope to continue to demonstrate my commitment to these ideals as your Western County Court Judge.