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Donna J. Carr

Donna J. Carr

For Judge of the Ninth District Court of Appeals
Full Term Beginning 2/10/2023

*Top Vote-Getter in General Election

Candidate Q&A

Candidate Details

  • Residence
    Akron
  • Email
    judgedonnacarr@gmail.com
  • Social Media
  • Age
    62
  • Occupation
    Judge, 9th District Court of Appeals
  • Education

    Kent State University 1981

    University of Akron School of Law 1984

  • Work Experience

    Assistant Prosecutor for Summit County from 1984-1993

    Chief Counsel-Civil Division from 1993-1995

    Interim Summit County Prosecutor January 1995 

  • Family
    I have 3 grown sons and a daughter- in-law with my 1st grandchild on the way!
  • Affiliations

    I have served in various ways over the past 27 years as a judge and community leader:

    Chief Judge, Ohio Court of Appeals Judges Association (2017)

    Member, Summit, Lorain, Medina, and Wayne County Bar Associations 

    Member, Ohio State Bar Association 

    Interpreter Services Subcommittee of the Supreme Court's Racial Fairness Implementation Task Force

    Chair,  Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Interpreter Services

    Instructor, Continuing Legal Education classes

    Instructor Ohio Judicial College

    Ohio Judicial Conference Education Committee  

    Judicial Mentor, Judicial College Mentorship program

    Assisted in starting and developing Courtroom in the Classroom for 9th District 

    Commission for the Rules of Superintendence of the Ohio Supreme Court 


    Montrose Zion United Methodist Church 

    Choir 

    Sunday School teacher 

    Boy Scouts of America Advancement Chair 

    Revere High School PTSA President 

    Love Akron

    Judge Brenda Burnham Unruh Servant Leadership Award - Love Akron 2021

    Akron Leaders Prayer Luncheon Steering Committee 

    Christian Business Women's Connection

  • Endorsements

    Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association

    Former Summit County Sheriff Drew Alexander

    Former Summit County Sheriff Steve Barry

    and various other community leaders 

  • Bar Association Ratings

    Excellent Rating by Commission on Judicial Candidates Akron Bar Association 2022

Photo of Donna J. Carr Donna J. Carr

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

I have served for over 24 years as your Judge on the 9th District Court of Appeals, for Summit, Lorain, Medina, and Wayne counties. As an appellate judge I have authored over 2400 appellate decisions and participated in around 7,500 appellate decisions. I have served as presiding and administrative judge on the court many times over the years.

I have also served as a visiting judge with the Ohio Supreme Court on at least 9 occasions, including January 29, 2020, April 4, 2017, January 9, 2008, November 28, 2006, September 14, 2004, March 12, 2003, March 11, 2003, November 13, 2001, and December 1, 1999.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

I have served for over 24 years as your Judge on the 9th District Court of Appeals, for Summit, Lorain, Medina, and Wayne counties. As an appellate judge I have authored over 2400 appellate decisions and participated in around 7,500 appellate decisions. I have served as presiding and administrative judge on the court many times over the years.

I have also served as a visiting judge with the Ohio Supreme Court on at least 9 occasions, including January 29, 2020, April 4, 2017, January 9, 2008, November 28, 2006, September 14, 2004, March 12, 2003, March 11, 2003, November 13, 2001, and December 1, 1999.

Question 2

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

I served as an Assistant Prosecutor for Summit County from 1984-1993 and Chief Counsel of the Civil Division from 1993-1995. I was also appointed as the Interim Summit County Prosecutor - January 1995. This experience at the prosecutor's office provided me with invaluable experience in almost every area of the law, including civil and criminal. 

Besides serving as a county prosecutor, I also practiced law as a private attorney representing clients in federal, state and local courts.

This experience in both the public sector and private sector laid a solid foundation for my role as a judge. 

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

I served as an Assistant Prosecutor for Summit County from 1984-1993 and Chief Counsel of the Civil Division from 1993-1995. I was also appointed as the Interim Summit County Prosecutor - January 1995. 

 

Besides serving as a county prosecutor, I also practiced law as a private attorney representing clients in federal, state and local courts.

 

Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I have been on the 9th District Court of Appeals for over 24 years and still am passionate about the work I do. I am experienced and have demonstrated my fairness, integrity, impartiality, and judicial ability over these years. I would be honored to continue to serve on the court.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

I have been on the 9th District Court of Appeals for over 24 years and still am passionate about the work I do. I am experienced and have demonstrated my fairness, integrity, impartiality, and judicial ability over these years. I would be honored to continue to serve on the court.