Skip Menu
Kenneth R Callahan

Kenneth R Callahan

For Judge of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division
Unexpired Term Ending 1/3/2027

Candidate Details

  • Residence
    University Heights
  • Email
    keepjudgecallahan@gmail.com
  • Website
    keepjudgecallahan.com
  • Social Media
    facebook.com/KeepJudgeCallahan
    instagram.com/keepjudgecallahan
  • Age
    67
  • Occupation
    Judge
  • Education

    Saint Ignatius High School
    John Carroll University
    Trinity College of Dublin
    Cleveland Marshall College of Law

  • Work Experience

    Over three decades of legal experience as a public defender, a judge and an attorney.


    Chief Public Defender, Geauga County, 1984-1990; l
    Lawyer, Laurie Hull and Doyle, 1983-1993
    Judge, Common Pleas Court 1993-2009. Elected three times.
    Partner, Buckley King LPA, 2009-2017
    Partner, Collins Scanlon LPA 2017-2020
    Mansuer Gavin LPA 2020-2021
    Judge, Common Pleas Court 2021-present

  • Family
    Married to high school prom date Martha. 3 adult sons: Kenneth III, Owen & Cameron Patrick
  • Affiliations

    Board, Past President, Manos Inn of Court
    Board, Past President, Catholic Lawyers Guild
    Member, Cuyahoga  County Charter Review Commission
    Past Member, Federal Judicial Advisory Commission
    Former Vice Chair Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Judicial Selection Committee
    Former Board Member, Cuyahoga Law Library
    Past President, Cleveland Civil War Roundtable
    Baseball Coach, 2002-2012
    Arrupe Board, St. Ignatius High School
    Alumni of the Year, Cleveland Marshall Law
    Cardinal Bellarmine Award, St. Ignatius High
    Justice Rehnquist Award

  • Endorsements

    Cleveland Plain Dealer

    Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association
    Laborers Local 310
    International Longshoremen Association 1317
    Iron Workers Local 17
    CAMEO

     

  • Bar Association Ratings

    November 8, 2022 General Election Judicial Candidate Ratings | Cuyahoga County (judge4yourself.com)

    Norman S. Minor - Excellent 

    Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association - Excellent

    Cuyahoga County Defense Lawyers Association - Excellent

    Ohio Women's Bar Association - Good

    Asian American Bar Association - Excellent

Photo of Kenneth R Callahan Kenneth R Callahan

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

Judge Cuyahoga County Common Pleas


1993 - 2008, 2021-current. Nearly 20 years of experience.


Question 2

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

My work experience prior to becoming a Common Pleas Judge I worked as a Public Defender. As you may know Public Defenders often are tasked with providing legal representation to the indigent. Eligibility for citizens to be represented by a Public Defender is based upon income. Put simply, public defenders often legally represent underserved and needy populations who without proper representation could possibly unjustly lose their ability to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

In private practice, I handled a wide array of cases including but not limited to large Commercial Foreclosure and Receivership, Family Law, Business Litigation, General Civil Litigation, Real Estate Litigation and Federal Criminal Defense. 

Lastly, as a husband of 35 years and the father of three, I have learned to respect women and raise a family.


Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I have had the opportunity of a lifetime to serve on the Cuyahoga Common Pleas for nearly 20 years over the past three decades. I have the experience, temperament and knowledge to handle the complex and challenging cases that come before the court. I presided over the Cleveland Browns case and approved a settlement whereby the Browns name and colors would stay in Cleveland and play in a new stadium. I believe I have made a significant impact by advocating for common sense reforms such as decreasing the incarceration rates and trying to improve prison conditions. Furthermore I understand the importance of making sure that I am staying up to date on cases in my docket. A commitment I have made since taking the oath of office is ensuring justice and fairness for all - this is an oath I take very seriously and will continue to do so if elected for another 4 year unexpired term.


As you can see in my experience mentioned above I have had the honor of receiving "excellent" ratings from most of the major bar associations. In my downtime I have had the privilege of serving on the: Federal Judicial Advisory Commission, Catholic Lawyers Guild Board, Cuyahoga Law Library Board, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Judicial Selection Committee and many other positions. I would be honored if you considered me for another 4 year unexpired term to serve on the Cuyahoga Common Pleas.