Melissa Kobasher
For Judge of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas General Division
Full Term Beginning 1/3/2023
*Top Vote-Getter in General Election
Candidate Details
- Residence
Lorain - Email
kobasherforjudge@gmail.com - Website
kobasherforjudge.com - Social Media
facebook.com/KobasherforJudge
instagram.com/kobasherforjudge/?hl=en - Age
35 - Occupation
Magistrate - Education
Lorain County Community College, Associate of Applied Science- Criminal Justice and Police Science
Miami University, Bachelors of Arts- American Studies and Political Science
Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law- Juris Doctor with specialized certificate in Criminal Law
- Work Experience
Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, General Division- Magistrate and Staff Attorney
Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division- Magistrate
Kobasher Law, LLC- Private practitioner with experience as an assistant prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and family law attorney
- Family
Married with 2 Children - Affiliations
Lorain Lions Club, Member
Lorain County Urban League, Board Member
Lorain County Bar Association Executive Committee, Member
Lorain County Bar Association Legal Grievance and Ethics Committee, Secretary and Investigator
HandsOn NEO/Lorain County Volunteer Connection, Volunteer for various community service agencies
St. Peter Parish of Lorain, Parishioner
- Bar Association Ratings
Lorain County Bar Association, Recommended
Melissa Kobasher
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Lorain County Common Pleas Court, General Division, Magistrate- 2017 - Current
Lorain County Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations Division, Magistrate- 2016 - 2017
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersLorain County Common Pleas Court, General Division, Magistrate- 2017 - Current
Lorain County Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations Division, Magistrate- 2016 - 2017
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I have worked in Lorain County for over a decade as a licensed attorney, practicing both family and criminal law, and currently serve as a Lorain County Court of Common Pleas Magistrate. I have a passion for justice and the safety of our community and take pride in having an unmatched work ethic, firm knowledge of the law, and ability to make unbiased decisions that bring positive changes in the community.
In private practice, I worked diligently to help my clients resolve family law matters, civil disputes, and criminal cases efficiently and with the best outcomes possible. Early on, I also worked as an assistant to the Wellington Prosecutor. I saw firsthand how my work and the judicial system impact the community at large.
I've experienced how difficult it is to navigate a case through our courts and am keenly aware of the need to work in conjunction with the many agencies in our communities that are involved in the judicial process.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersI have worked in Lorain County for over a decade as a licensed attorney, practicing both family and criminal law, and currently serve as a Lorain County Court of Common Pleas Magistrate. I have a passion for justice and the safety of our community and take pride in having an unmatched work ethic, firm knowledge of the law, and ability to make unbiased decisions that bring positive changes in the community.
In private practice, I worked diligently to help my clients resolve family law matters, civil disputes, and criminal cases efficiently and with the best outcomes possible. Early on, I also worked as an assistant to the Wellington Prosecutor. I saw firsthand how my work and the judicial system impact the community at large.
I've experienced how difficult it is to navigate a case through our courts and am keenly aware of the need to work in conjunction with the many agencies in our communities that are involved in the judicial process.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I have a passion for the law and our community and have developed the skills and knowledge as a magistrate in the division of the court that I am running for to best serve our community as judge. As a magistrate, I am responsible for maintaining the most efficient civil docket in the General Division in the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, as well as having first-hand experience as a judicial officer presiding over the types of issues and cases that I would be handling as judge.
If elected, I will become the sole female on the bench of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. It is important that our citizens have not just a knowledgeable and experienced candidate to vote for, but also someone who can bring diversity to the bench. Having different perspectives in making important decisions that impact our community daily should be a priority.
I will make the courtroom a place to connect with litigants and the community, maintain an efficient docket aimed at resolving cases in a timely and fair manner, and openly collaborate with agencies and programs to make a difference in our criminal justice process in Lorain County.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersI have a passion for the law and our community and have developed the skills and knowledge as a magistrate in the division of the court that I am running for to best serve our community as judge. As a magistrate, I am responsible for maintaining the most efficient civil docket in the General Division in the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, as well as having first-hand experience as a judicial officer presiding over the types of issues and cases that I would be handling as judge.
If elected, I will become the sole female on the bench of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. It is important that our citizens have not just a knowledgeable and experienced candidate to vote for, but also someone who can bring diversity to the bench. Having different perspectives in making important decisions that impact our community daily should be a priority.
I will make the courtroom a place to connect with litigants and the community, maintain an efficient docket aimed at resolving cases in a timely and fair manner, and openly collaborate with agencies and programs to make a difference in our criminal justice process in Lorain County.