Earle E Wise, Jr.
For Judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeals
Full Term Beginning 2/9/2023
Candidate Details
- Residence
North Canton - Email
earle.wise@att.net - Website
electwisejudge.com - Social Media
- Age
62 - Occupation
Judge - Education
Marlington High School Diploma 1978 Alliance OH
College of Wooster B.A., History 1983 Wooster OH
University of Akron, School of Law J.D. 1997 Akron OH
- Work Experience
Judge, Fifth District Court of Appeals; Feb 9, 2017 to Feb 8, 2023
Attorney for 19 years before taking the bench as a judge
Assistant Carroll County Public Defender
Private Practice
City Administrator for the City of North Canton
Assistant Stark County Prosecutor, Juvenile, Civil & Criminal Divisions, Senior Trial Attorney
Worked full-time as the Deptuy Director of the Stark County Board of Elections while attending law school at night
Bailiff, Stark County Court of Common Pleas
Ohio Army National Guard, helicopter mechanic / aerial observer
- Family
Married with 2 daughters - Affiliations
16 years as a volunteer at local public school system with parent organizations and coaching girls lacrosse
- Endorsements
Stark County Sheriff George Maier
Stark County Deputies Association
Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund PAC
AFSCME Power in Action (AFSCME Ohio Council 8 & AFSCME Retiree Chapter 1184)
IBEW Local 688
UAW Region 2B
United Mine Workers of America OHIO COMPAC
Hall of Fame Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO
- Bar Association Ratings
Stark County Bar Association 2022 Highly Recommended (highest possible rating)
Earle E Wise, Jr.
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Judge; Fifth District Court of Appeals; Feb 9 2017 to Feb 8, 2023
In the five and a half years on the bench, I have authored approximately 450 written opinions and been involved in over 1,200 cases. I have served as the Administrative Judge of the Fifth District Court, which includes six judges. I currently serve as the Presiding Judge for the Court. I have been asked by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio to sit as a member of the Supreme Court when one of the regular seven Justices was unable to sit on a particular case due to a conflict of interest. I am currently a member of the Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on Court Security. My experience includes having served as a judge representing the Fifth District Court of Appeals for the purpose of hearing grievances, which may be filed against Supreme Court Justices. Pursuant to the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Judiciary, I have served as a member of a three-judge initial review panel on such a grievance. I currently serve as a member of the Executive Committee of the Ohio Appeals Court Judges' Association. I teach at continuing legal education seminars for attorneys about appellate procedure and insurance law.
Judge; Fifth District Court of Appeals; Feb 9 2017 to Feb 8, 2023
In the five and a half years on the bench, I have authored approximately 450 written opinions and been involved in over 1,200 cases. I have served as the Administrative Judge of the Fifth District Court, which includes six judges. I currently serve as the Presiding Judge for the Court. I have been asked by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio to sit as a member of the Supreme Court when one of the regular seven Justices was unable to sit on a particular case due to a conflict of interest. I am currently a member of the Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on Court Security. My experience includes having served as a judge representing the Fifth District Court of Appeals for the purpose of hearing grievances, which may be filed against Supreme Court Justices. Pursuant to the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Judiciary, I have served as a member of a three-judge initial review panel on such a grievance. I currently serve as a member of the Executive Committee of the Ohio Appeals Court Judges' Association. I teach at continuing legal education seminars for attorneys about appellate procedure and insurance law.
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
As an attorney in private practice I represented clients in various legal matters. Also as an attorney in private practice and as an assistant public defender I was appointed to represent indigent defendants in misdemeanor and felony criminal cases.
As the City Administrator I worked closely with the Law Director on proposed legislation and the implementation of new ordinances. My experience included assisting the city's outside labor attorney during labor negotiations and I represented the city at hearings in front of various administrative agencies. I oversaw compliance with state agency programs such as Workers' Compensation and OSHA. My responsibility included the day-to-day operations management of the city's safety and service departments with a $44 million dollar budget and over 100 full-time employees with human resources responsibilities.
As an Assistant Stark County Prosecutor I worked in the juvenile, civil, and criminal divisions. I presented criminal cases to the grand jury securing indictments charging individuals with felonies. As a senior trial attorney I had the responsibility of seeking convictions on serious felony crimes. I tried almost 100 felony jury trials in open court and also secured hundreds of convictions from defendants who pled guilty without a trial.
Before becoming an attorney I worked at the board of elections overseeing the proper execution of a free and fair election process. My first job in the legal system was as a bailiff in the court of common pleas observing many jury trials and other court proceedings; an extremely useful experience for law school.
As an attorney in private practice I represented clients in various legal matters. Also as an attorney in private practice and as an assistant public defender I was appointed to represent indigent defendants in misdemeanor and felony criminal cases.
As the City Administrator I worked closely with the Law Director on proposed legislation and the implementation of new ordinances. My experience included assisting the city's outside labor attorney during labor negotiations and I represented the city at hearings in front of various administrative agencies. I oversaw compliance with state agency programs such as Workers' Compensation and OSHA. My responsibility included the day-to-day operations management of the city's safety and service departments with a $44 million dollar budget and over 100 full-time employees with human resources responsibilities.
As an Assistant Stark County Prosecutor I worked in the juvenile, civil, and criminal divisions. I presented criminal cases to the grand jury securing indictments charging individuals with felonies. As a senior trial attorney I had the responsibility of seeking convictions on serious felony crimes. I tried almost 100 felony jury trials in open court and also secured hundreds of convictions from defendants who pled guilty without a trial.
Before becoming an attorney I worked at the board of elections overseeing the proper execution of a free and fair election process. My first job in the legal system was as a bailiff in the court of common pleas observing many jury trials and other court proceedings; an extremely useful experience for law school.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am running to continue to serve as your judge. It is an honor and a privilege to serve on Ohio's Fifth District Court of Appeals, and I am genuinely passionate about the work I do. I believe I have established a reputation of being thorough, balanced, fair, and approachable.
I believe my extensive experience both as a practicing attorney and as a sitting judge make me the most well-rounded public servant and the best-qualified candidate. I am ready and able to continue to serve the people of the 15 counties of the Fifth District Court of Appeals.
I humbly ask for and appreciate your support.
I am running to continue to serve as your judge. It is an honor and a privilege to serve on Ohio's Fifth District Court of Appeals, and I am genuinely passionate about the work I do. I believe I have established a reputation of being thorough, balanced, fair, and approachable.
I believe my extensive experience both as a practicing attorney and as a sitting judge make me the most well-rounded public servant and the best-qualified candidate. I am ready and able to continue to serve the people of the 15 counties of the Fifth District Court of Appeals.
I humbly ask for and appreciate your support.