Michelle L Cordova
For Judge of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations/Juvenile Division
Full Term Beginning 1/1/2023
*Top Vote-Getter in General Election
Candidate Details
- Residence
NORTH CANTON - Email
cordovaforjudge@gmail.com - Website
cordovaforjudge.com - Social Media
facebook.com/CordovaforJudge
instagram.com/cordovaforjudge - Age
51 - Occupation
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney - Education
University of Akron, School of Law: Juris Doctor - 1996
-Dean's List
-American Jurisprudence Award for Constitutional Law 1994
-Federal Bar Association Award for excellence in the study of Constitutional Law 1994Ohio University: Bachelor of Arts - 1992
Major: Political Science, Minor: English
-Cum Laude
-Dean’s List
-Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor SocietyPerry High School: Diploma - 1988
- Work Experience
Assistant Prosecutor, Criminal Division - Summit County Prosecutor's Office - January 2021 - present:
Jury trials include: Aggravated Murder, Murder, Kidnapping, Felonious Assault, Manufacturing Explosives, Bank Robbery, and Drug Trafficking.
Chief Juvenile Prosecutor, Family Court - Stark County Prosecutor's Office - March 2004 - January 2021:
-Trained and supervised attorneys, administrative assistants, victim advocates and law student and undergraduate interns
-Initiated first time traffic offender diversion program, 2018
-Developed “Safe Harbor Program” for victims of Human Trafficking, 2016
-Collaborated to develop Stark County’s Juvenile Drug Court, 2005
-Advised local School Resource Officers Association, 2006 to 2021
-Implemented specialized Truancy Docket, 2005Assistant Prosecutor, Civil Division - Stark County Prosecutor's Office - 2001 - 2004
Assistant Prosecutor, Criminal Division - Stark County Prosecutor's Office 1997 - 2001
-General Felony Unit - 1999 - 2001;
-Child Sexual Assault Unit - 1997-1999
Assistant Prosecutor, Juvenile Division - Stark County Prosecutor's Office - 1996 - 1997
Legal Intern - City of Akron Law Department - 1993 - 1996
Legislative Intern - Congressman Ralph Regula - 1994
- Family
Married 27 years, with 4 children - Affiliations
Refuge of Hope – Board President 2022, Board Member 2019 to present, Volunteer 2016 to present
Ohio Supreme Court – New Lawyer Mentor, 2011 to present
Stark County Juvenile Human Trafficking Task Force - Founding Member 2015 to present
Leadership Stark County – 31st Signature Class 2018, Government Academy 2012
Junior League of Stark County – Active Member 2018 to present
League of Women Voters – Member 2018 to present
Women’s Impact Inc. - Founding Member 2017 to present
Stark County Courts Electronic Filing System Steering Committee – 2017 to 2020
Days for Girls – Volunteer 2017 to present
Viking Victory Run, North Canton, Ohio – Race Co-Director 2016 & 2017, Volunteer 2012 to 2015
Stark County Opiate and Addiction Task Force – Active Member 2012 to present
Stark County Bar Association – Executive Committee 2019-2022, Member 1996 to present
North Canton City Schools – Volunteer 2000 to present
Girls on the Run – Assistant Coach 2015 to 2017
Girl Scouts USA – Volunteer 2003 to 2015
St. Paul Catholic Church, North Canton - Member 1998 to present
- Endorsements
Ironworkers Local 550
- Bar Association Ratings
Stark County Bar Association - "Recommended" - 2022
Michelle L Cordova
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
I have spent my career as a Prosecutor, in all areas of Common Pleas Court.
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
As Stark County’s Chief Juvenile Prosecutor for 16 years I had an integral role in developing many of the programs that make Family Court more efficient and effective, including a specialized truancy docket, Juvenile Drug Court, a fast-track system for expediting cases, and a first-time traffic offender diversion program designed to make juveniles safer drivers. Within the prosecutor's office I oversaw the development and roll-out of electronic calendar and digital case management systems, bringing the office up to date with technology.
My 25 years' experience working with victims, witnesses and law enforcement set me apart from other judicial candidates. I have extensive trial experience and a throrough knowledge of civil and criminal rules of evidence and procedure. I have excellent research and writing skills and a proven track record for meeting deadlines and keeping my docket moving as a trial lawyer. I will do the same as Stark County Family Court Judge, respecting the time and dignity of attorneys and clients, as well as those who represent themselves before the court.
I have earned the respect of my colleagues with a peer review rating of “Distinguished” from Martindale Hubbell. I have volunteered as an Ohio Supreme Court New Lawyer Mentor for 10 years. I was inducted into the YWCA Women’s Hall of Fame and received A Women’s Impact Inc. Award. I have been recommended by the Stark County Bar Association Judiciary Committee.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersAs Stark County’s Chief Juvenile Prosecutor for 16 years I had an integral role in developing many of the programs that make Family Court more efficient and effective, including a specialized truancy docket, Juvenile Drug Court, a fast-track system for expediting cases, and a first-time traffic offender diversion program designed to make juveniles safer drivers. Within the prosecutor's office I oversaw the development and roll-out of electronic calendar and digital case management systems, bringing the office up to date with technology.
My 25 years' experience working with victims, witnesses and law enforcement set me apart from other judicial candidates. I have extensive trial experience and a throrough knowledge of civil and criminal rules of evidence and procedure. I have excellent research and writing skills and a proven track record for meeting deadlines and keeping my docket moving as a trial lawyer. I will do the same as Stark County Family Court Judge, respecting the time and dignity of attorneys and clients, as well as those who represent themselves before the court.
I have earned the respect of my colleagues with a peer review rating of “Distinguished” from Martindale Hubbell. I have volunteered as an Ohio Supreme Court New Lawyer Mentor for 10 years. I was inducted into the YWCA Women’s Hall of Fame and received A Women’s Impact Inc. Award. I have been recommended by the Stark County Bar Association Judiciary Committee.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
My passion for children and families, my breadth of experience, and my even temperament are ideally suited for the Family Court bench. I am proud of the progress Family Court has made during my career and I look forward to being a part of continued progress. My experience with electronic case management and electronic docketing will be an asset to the family court bench. I have many ideas to continue moving our Family Court forward, the energy to inspire others, and the ability to collaborate to reach a common goal.
I have dedicated my career to public service, and will continue to serve the public as a Stark County Family Court Judge. I grew up in Stark County and my husband and I are raising our four children here. I have volunteered many years with Scouts, Girls on the Run, our schools, our church, and the Junior League, to make a positive impact on our community. As a family, we serve meals to men, women, and children at the Refuge of Hope, and I serve as President of the Board of Directors.
As a victim of burglary myself in 1994, I testified before the Grand Jury. During that challenging experience, I was grateful for the help of police, prosecutors, and victim advocates. I have handled thousands of cases through jury trials, bench trials, guilty pleas, or alternative resolution. In doing so I've worked with victims, witnesses, advocates, and law enforcement, treating them all with empathy and respect. As a prosecutor I make difficult decisions daily, preparing me for judicial decision making. My unique qualifications would bring a new perspective as a Stark County Family Court Judge.
My passion for children and families, breadth of experience, and even temperament are ideally suited for the Family Court bench. My experience with electronic case management and electronic docketing will be an asset to the Family Court. I have many ideas to continue moving our Family Court forward, the energy to inspire others, and the ability to collaborate to reach common goals.
I have dedicated my career to public service, and will continue to serve the public as a Stark County Family Court Judge. I grew up in Stark County. My husband and I are raising our four children here. I've volunteered many years with Scouts, Girls on the Run, our schools, church, and the Junior League, to make a positive impact on our community. Our family serves meals to men, women, and children at the Refuge of Hope, and I serve as President of the Board of Directors.
As a victim of burglary myself in 1994, I testified before the Grand Jury. During that challenging experience, I was grateful for the help of police, prosecutors, and victim advocates. I've handled thousands of cases through jury trials, bench trials, guilty pleas, or alternative resolution. I've worked with victims, witnesses, advocates, and law enforcement, treating them all with empathy and respect. As a prosecutor I make difficult decisions daily, preparing me for judicial decision making. My unique qualifications would bring a new perspective as a Stark County Family Court Judge.