Pat DeWine
For Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio
Full Term Beginning 1/2/2023
*Top Vote-Getter in General Election
Candidate Details
- Residence
Columbus - Email
justicepatdewine@gmail.com - Website
patdewine.com - Social Media
facebook.com/JusticePatDeWine
twitter.com/patdewine - Age
54 - Occupation
Supreme Court Justice - Education
Miami University, B.A., B.S., Summa Cum Laude
University of Michigan Law School J.D., Order of Coif (top 10% of class) - Work Experience
June 1995-June 1996: Law clerk, The Honorable David A. Nelson, United States Court of
Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Cincinnati Ohio
Nov. 1994-June 1995; June 1996-Jan. 2008: Attorney, KMK Law
Dec. 1999-Jan. 2005: Councilmember, City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Ohio
Jan. 2005-Jan. 2009: Member, Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, Cincinnati Ohio
Jan. 2009-Mar. 2013: Judge, Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Cincinnati Ohio
Mar. 2013-January 1, 2017: Judge, First District Court of Appeals, Cincinnati Ohio
Sept. 2014-Present: Adjunct Professor, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Ohio
January 2, 2017–Present: Justice, Ohio Supreme Court - Family
I have three children. - Affiliations
Cincinnati Bar Association, 1995-present
Ohio State Bar Association, 1995-present (various years)
NAACP, 2012-2016
United Way, Board Member, 2005-2009
Cincinnati Special Improvement District, Board Member, 2005-2009
Talbert House, Board Member, 1997-1999
Mt. Lookout Civic Club, Board Member, 1997-1999
Over the Rhine Foundation, Board Member, 1997-1999
Founder, Build Cincinnati Charter Reform Effort, effort successfully amended City Charter to
provide for direct election of mayor and other reforms, 1997-1999. - Endorsements
Ohio Fraternal Order of Police
Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association
Toledo Police Command Officers' Association
Ohio Chamber of Commerce
National Federation of Independent Businesses
Cleveland Building & Construction Trades
Ohio State Medical Association
Ohio Manufacturing Association
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
International Union of Operating Engineers
Buckeye Firearms
Ohio Right to Life
Ohio Business Roundtable
Ohio Farm Bureau’s Agriculture for Good Government PAC
Cleveland American Middle Eastern Organization
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Local 105
The Leadership Fund (Toledo Chamber of Commerce PAC)
Ohio Society of CPAs
Tri-State Building Trades Union
Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association, Local 886
Toledo Police Patrolman's Association
- Bar Association Ratings
This year, the Ohio State Bar Association chose not to rate statewide candidates. Pat’s rated
Good by regional bar associations like the Asian American Bar Association of Ohio, Cleveland
Metropolitan Bar Association and the Norman S. Minor Bar Association.
Pat DeWine
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Jan. 2009-Mar. 2013: Judge, Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Cincinnati Ohio
Mar. 2013-January 1, 2017: Judge, First District Court of Appeals, Cincinnati Ohio
January 2, 2017–Present: Justice, Ohio Supreme Court
Jan. 2009-Mar. 2013: Judge, Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Cincinnati Ohio
Mar. 2013-January 1, 2017: Judge, First District Court of Appeals, Cincinnati Ohio
January 2, 2017–Present: Justice, Ohio Supreme Court
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I bring a unique perspective to the Ohio Supreme Court because of my service in other branches
of government and every level of Ohio courts. As a Cincinnati City Councilmember, I dealt with
some very difficult issues involving our legal system and the community. I served as Chair of the
Law Committee immediately following the riots in Cincinnati and was deeply involved in a
collaborative process that made significant and sustained improvements in police-community
relations. My service on City Council and the County Commission has given me a keen
understanding of the role of the other branches of government and the impact of our judicial
system on these branches.
I have also served as a judge at all three levels of Ohio’s courts, something very few judges can
say. This has helped me understand how the supreme court can work with and improve judicial
functions across every court in Ohio.
I bring a unique perspective to the Ohio Supreme Court because of my service in other branches
of government and every level of Ohio courts. As a Cincinnati City Councilmember, I dealt with
some very difficult issues involving our legal system and the community. I served as Chair of the
Law Committee immediately following the riots in Cincinnati and was deeply involved in a
collaborative process that made significant and sustained improvements in police-community
relations. My service on City Council and the County Commission has given me a keen
understanding of the role of the other branches of government and the impact of our judicial
system on these branches.
I have also served as a judge at all three levels of Ohio’s courts, something very few judges can
say. This has helped me understand how the supreme court can work with and improve judicial
functions across every court in Ohio.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I care deeply about this state and its legal system. If we are going to prosper as a state, we need
communities where people feel safe. Without safe communities, people will not want to live,
invest or create jobs in our state. As Justice, I can plan an important role in making sure that the
rule of law is protected in Ohio.
I also believe strongly that a stable and predictable legal environment is critical to our economy.
Judges should strictly apply the law as it is written. We may not impose our own personal
viewpoints but must adhere strictly to the law and the constitution. When we act in the manner
we ensure fairness and equal treatment because the same rules apply to everyone. We also create
a stable and predictable legal environment that encourages people to want to live and create jobs
in this State.
I care deeply about this state and its legal system. If we are going to prosper as a state, we need
communities where people feel safe. Without safe communities, people will not want to live,
invest or create jobs in our state. As Justice, I can plan an important role in making sure that the
rule of law is protected in Ohio.
I also believe strongly that a stable and predictable legal environment is critical to our economy.
Judges should strictly apply the law as it is written. We may not impose our own personal
viewpoints but must adhere strictly to the law and the constitution. When we act in the manner
we ensure fairness and equal treatment because the same rules apply to everyone. We also create
a stable and predictable legal environment that encourages people to want to live and create jobs
in this State.