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Bill Sperlazza

Bill Sperlazza

For Judge of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, General Division
Full Term Beginning 1/9/2023

*Top Vote-Getter in General Election

Candidate Q&A

Candidate Details

  • Residence
    Grandview Heights
  • Email
    Sperlazza4judge@gmail.com
  • Website
    sperlazza4judge.com
  • Social Media
    facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064138683529
    instagram.com/sperlazza4judge
    linkedin.com/in/bill-sperlazza-758b635
  • Age
    42
  • Occupation
    Senior Assistant City Attorney, Columbus City Attorney's Office
  • Education

    The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law – Columbus, OH

    ·  Juris Doctor, May 2006

    ·  Executive Editor: The Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law

    ·  Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law, Board Member of the Year, 2005-2006

                           

    The University of Oxford, Study Abroad – Oxford, England

    ·  St. Anne’s College – Comparative Legal Studies, Summer 2004

     

    Youngstown State University – Youngstown, OH
    ·  Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, May 2003

    · Clingan Jackson Award Recipient, Top Political Science Student, 2003

  • Work Experience

    Columbus City Attorney’s Office – Columbus, OH: (3/2005-present)

     - Civil Litigation Division: (11/2019-present)

     - Environmental Court/Zone Initiative: (4/2012-11/2019)

     - Prosecutor Division: (5/2007-4/2012)

     - Arraignment Coordinator, Law Clerk, Legal Intake Counselor: (3/2005-5/2007)

    Youth Basketball Coach

    Thomas Worthington High School – Worthington, OH: (5/2018-2/2020)

       ·  Varsity Girls Head Coach

    Bishop Hartley High School – Columbus, OH: (6/2017-5/2018)

       ·  Junior Varsity Girls Head Coach, Varsity Girls Assistant

    Linden McKinley STEM Academy – Columbus, OH: (7/2015-6/2017)

       ·  Junior Varsity Girls Head Coach, Varsity Girls Assistant

    Girard Jr./Sr. High School – Girard, OH: (1994-2003)

       ·  Varsity Boys, Junior Varsity Boys, and Youth Basketball Coach

  • Family
    I'm married to my wife Abbey, and we have 3 children: Autumn (8), Nora (6), and Will (1)
  • Affiliations

    ·   Member, NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)

    ·   Member, NABCJ, Ohio Chapter (National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice)

    ·   Franklin County Democratic Party

    ·   Franklin County Democratic Lawyers Club

    ·   Columbus Bar Association

    ·   Board Member, Ohio Neighborhood Preservation Association

    ·   President—The Grand View of Columbus Home Owners Association

  • Endorsements

    ·  U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown

    ·  Franklin County Democratic Party

    ·  Columbus Firefighters Local 67

    ·  Central Ohio Labor Council AFL-CIO

    ·  Baptist Ministerial Alliance of Columbus & Vicinity

    ·  Columbus Building Trades Council

    ·  Coalition of Black Trade Unionist

    ·  Coalition of Labor Union Women

    ·  A. Phillip Randolph Institute

    ·  AFSCME Ohio Council 8

    ·  AFSCME Retirees Ohio Chapter 1184

    ·  CWA: Communication Workers of America Local 4502

    · “Highly Recommended” by the Central Ohio Association of Justice

    · Columbus Education Association

    · Teachers for Better Schools

    · Muslims for Ohio PAC

    · Fraternal Order of Police, Capital Lodge #9

    · Vote Pro Choice

    · Franklin County Adelante Democrats

    · Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 189

  • Bar Association Ratings
    Columbus Bar Association:
Photo of Bill Sperlazza Bill Sperlazza

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

None.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

None

Question 2

What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?

I am a compassionate attorney with experience in the courtroom and a belief in the strength of our community.  My legal experience includes 17 years of criminal, civil, and environmental law.  I've been fortunate to receive multiple awards for my legal work:

Awards:

·  Ohio Crime Prevention Association, Special Projects Award - 2016

·  City of Columbus, Mayor’s Award of Excellence - 2015

·  Northland Community Council, President’s Award - 2014

·  Columbus Division of Police, Meritorious Public Service Award - 2013

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

I am a compassionate attorney with experience in the courtroom and a belief in the strength of our community.  My legal experience includes 17 years of criminal, civil, and environmental law.  I've been fortunate to receive multiple awards for my legal work:

Awards:

·  Ohio Crime Prevention Association, Special Projects Award - 2016

·  City of Columbus, Mayor’s Award of Excellence - 2015

·  Northland Community Council, President’s Award - 2014

·  Columbus Division of Police, Meritorious Public Service Award - 2013

Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I’m running because I want to ensure that the law is administered fairly and equally to everyone who enters my courtroom.  I want to create an environment where everyone who enters my courtroom will be treated with fairness, dignity, compassion, and respect.  I want to help people receive the resources and help they need to get out of the court system, and to help those incarcerated with a successful and productive re-entry.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

I’m running because I want to ensure that the law is administered fairly and equally to everyone who enters my courtroom.  I want to create an environment where everyone who enters my courtroom will be treated with fairness, dignity, compassion, and respect.  I want to help people receive the resources and help they need to get out of the court system, and to help those incarcerated with a successful and productive re-entry.