Joan Synenberg
For Judge of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division
Full Term Beginning 1/12/2023
Candidate Details
- Residence
Bratenahl - Email
rsynenberg@aol.com - Social Media
- Age
64 - Occupation
Judge - Education
Cleveland State University, B.S.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, J.D.
- Work Experience
Active sole practitioner as a trial attorney for 16 years. During that time I personally handled 1,431 civil and criminal cases in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas courts alone.
Cleveland Municipal Court Judge, 2 years. Thousands of cases.
Common Pleas Court Judge 16 years. I presided over 5,996 criminal cases and 10,715 civil cases between 2006-2021.
- Family
Married - Affiliations
ADAMHS Board, Mental Health Response Advisory Executive Committee.
AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland, Board Member, 2005-2012.
American Inns of Court Board of Trustees, Elected 6th Circuit Trustee, 2012-2016.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Alumni Association, Board of Trustees, 2010 - present.
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Board of Trustees, 2012-2015.
FBI Citizens Academy, Life Member.
Holy Rosary Catholic Church
The McDonnell Center (Community Based Correctional Facility,) Judicial Advisory Board, 2011-present.
Leadership Cleveland, Class of 2007.
Northeast Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Board Member, 2005-present.
U.S. Attorney's Opiate/Heroin Task Force, 2014-present.
U.S. Attorney's Project Safe Neighborhood/S.T.A.N.C.E., Member
William K. Thomas Inn of Court, Member 2009-present. President, 2011-12.
- Endorsements
North Shore Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
Cleveland Building & Trade Construction Trades Council
Laborers Local 860
Bakers Local No. 19
Teamsters Local 407
- Bar Association Ratings
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association - judge4yourself.com
2016 "excellent" from all four bar associations
2012 "excellent" from all four bar associations
2006 "excellent" from all four bar associations
2005 "excellent" from all four bar associations
Joan Synenberg
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Cleveland Municipal Court Judge; January 2005 - January 2007.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge; January 2007 -January 2013. March 2013 - present.
Presiding Judge in the first Supreme Court certified Recovery Court in Ohio. 2015 - present.
Judge, Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Docket. 2009-2014.
Between 2006 to 2021, I presided over 5,996 criminal cases and 10,715 civil cases in my courtroom.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersCleveland Municipal Court Judge; January 2005 - January 2007.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge; January 2007 -January 2013. March 2013 - present.
Presiding Judge in the first Supreme Court certified Recovery Court in Ohio. 2015 - present.
Judge, Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Docket. 2009-2014.
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
After graduating college I worked as a social worker in the Cuyahoga County jail for two years. That experience gave me an invaluable perspective about the seriousness of incarceration and the many consequences it has on the families of the incarcerated.
I believe my 16 years as an attorney also added to the necessary experience one should have in order to be prepared to be a judge. I was a practicing lawyer in the courthouse everyday. I worked with every one of the judges as an attorney and was well acquainted with the nuts and bolts of working in the Justice Center. Having represented over 1,500 individuals during my years practicing as a lawyer also added to my preparedness for the bench.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersAfter graduating college I worked as a social worker in the Cuyahoga County jail for two years. That experience gave me an invaluable perspective about the seriousness of incarceration and the many consequences it has on the families of the incarcerated.
I believe my 16 years as an attorney also added to the necessary experience one should have in order to be prepared to be a judge. I was a practicing lawyer in the courthouse everyday. I worked with every one of the judges as an attorney and was well acquainted with the nuts and bolts of working in the Justice Center. Having represented over 1,500 individuals during my years practicing as a lawyer also added to my preparedness for the bench.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
Public service is a passion. I wish to continue the work I have begun. In addition to my regular docket as a judge, I have been the Presiding Judge for over 7 years in the first Supreme Court certified dual diagnosis Recovery Court. This court helps clients who are charged in criminal cases(s) and suffer from substance abuse disorder and trauma. This court has successfully graduated over 100 clients who are now living a sober life.
Four years ago, I began a Pro Bono Collaborative to provide legal services for the underserved in civil areas of the law. This collaborative meets once a month with clients and volunteer lawyers. Our efforts resulted in the court receiving a grant from the Nord Family Foundation to fund a full time employee devoted to the success of this effort. I am personally responsible for this program and oversee it on a daily basis. The Collaborative has served hundreds of people in need with the services of hundreds of volunteer lawyers.
Abbreviated Candidate Answers
Public service is a passion. I wish to continue the work I have begun. In addition to my regular docket as a judge, I have been the Presiding Judge for over 7 years in the first Supreme Court certified dual diagnosis Recovery Court. This court helps clients who are charged in criminal cases(s) and suffer from substance abuse disorder and trauma. This court has successfully graduated over 100 clients who are now living a sober life.
Four years ago, I began a Pro Bono Collaborative to provide legal services for the underserved in civil areas of the law. This collaborative meets once a month with clients and volunteer lawyers. Our efforts resulted in the court receiving a grant from the Nord Family Foundation to fund a full time employee devoted to the success of this effort. I am personally responsible for this program and oversee it on a daily basis. The Collaborative has served hundreds of people in need with the services of hundreds of volunteer lawyers.