Bridget M. O'Brien Cleveland Municipal Court

Candidate Details

Residence
Cleveland
Email
bmcobrien7@gmail.com
Website
bridgetobrienforjudge.com
Social Media
facebook.com/bridgetobrienforjudge
instagram.com/obiebridge
linkedin.com/in/bridget-m-o-brien-354657121
Age
49
Occupation
Attorney
Education
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; B.A. in International Studies; Minors: Economics and Spanish (1997)

Cleveland State University, College of Law, J.D. (2001)
Work Experience
Eighth District Court of Appeals, Cleveland, Ohio

Deputy Court Administrator, 2017 – present

● Provide direct support to the Court Administrator and Administrative Judge in all areas related to court administration and management, such as case management; court policy and adoption of local rules; human resources; facilities operations; grant management; contract negotiations; and budget.

● Collaborate with the Court Administrator to develop and implement programs and processes to improve overall performance of the court, including the efficiency of the court, employee satisfaction, and the allocation of resources.

● Assist the Court Administrator in responding to issues or concerns raised by any of the 12 judges of the court relating to their individual dockets or court-wide matters.

Staff Attorney, 2017 - 2018

● Conducted legal research and provide written recommendations on original actions, including writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, quo warranto, prohibition, and procedendo and applications to reopen direct appeals.

● Screened direct appeals for jurisdictional defects and compliance with local rules.

● Responded to inquiries from the public regarding appeal process and court procedures.

Judicial Attorney to the Honorable Mary Jane Boyle, 2008 - 2016

● Researched, analyzed, and interpreted state and federal law, statutes, and codes pertaining to criminal and civil matters.

● Recommended disposition of cases assigned to the judge and drafted legal opinions and legal memoranda pertaining to criminal and civil matters.

City of Cleveland Department of Law, Cleveland, Ohio

Asst. Director of Law, General Litigation Section, 2007 - 2008

● Provided civil-defense representation for the City, including claims brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, tort claims, and claims for injunctive relief.

● Challenged state laws under City’s constitutional home-rule powers, including firearm legislation.

Asst. Director of Law, Code Enforcement Section, 2005 - 2007

● Provided guidance and legal counsel to City Council Members and the Department of Building and Housing senior management on issues related to code enforcement.

● Prosecuted first-degree misdemeanor Building, Housing, and Zoning Code violations in Cleveland Municipal Court’s Housing Division.

● Represented the Department of Building and Housing on administrative appeals before the Board of Building Standards.

Eighth District Court of Appeals, Cleveland, Ohio

Judicial Attorney to The Honorable Colleen Conway-Cooney, 2003 - 2005

● Recommended disposition of cases assigned to the judge and drafted legal opinions and legal memoranda pertaining to criminal and civil matters.

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Cleveland, Ohio

Staff Attorney to The Honorable David Matia, 2002 - 2003

● Administered civil docket and provided recommendations for rulings on both substantive and procedural motions, which included drafting opinions and court orders.

● Conducted case management conferences and assisted with settlement conferences, final pre-trials, and managing attorney conflicts and discovery disputes.

Cleveland Municipal School District, Cleveland, Ohio

Legal Consultant and Law Clerk, 2000 - 2002

● Analyzed and reported on federal, state, and local requirements for securing federal E-Rate funding for telecommunications and technology in the District.

● Drafted legal memoranda related to labor, employment, and educational issues, including District’s responses to complaints filed with OCRC and EEOC.

● Drafted contracts between the District and various vendors.

Cleveland Legal Aid Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Law Clerk, 1999 - 2000

● Conducted client interviews and researched poverty, civil rights, and mental-health issues.

● Provided information as to rights under civil commitment proceedings.

Jesuit Volunteer Corp., Santa Rosa, California

Catholic Charities Citizenship Counselor, 1997 - 1998

● Interviewed clients in Spanish and English to explain citizenship eligibility.

● Presented monthly citizenship workshops.

● Trained employees and volunteers as to citizenship process.
Family
Married with three children
Affiliations
● Member of Ohio Supreme Court Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure

● Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association: (1) Contributor of articles to the Bar Journal, 2021, 2023; (2) Graduate of Leadership Academy, 2022; and (3) Three-time presenter of CLE programs, 2017, 2019, and 2021

● Ohio Association for Court Administration: Former Board Member as the Co-Chair of the Education Committee and Current Member of the Education Committee

● Cleveland State University, College of Law Alumni Association Member

● Cleveland State University, College of Law Mentor Program

● Life Member, Judicial Conference, Eighth District

● Democratic Ward Club 17 Member

● Cuyahoga County Democratic Women’s Caucus

● Cleveland Stonewall Democrats

● Former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Review Commission, 2020 and 2022

● Former Member of Campus International Parent Caring Organization and Room Parent and Classroom Volunteer, 2014-2020

● Jesuit Volunteer Corp. (Support Person, 2003-2004)

● St. Luke’s Parish
Endorsements
North Shore AFL-CIO Federation of Labor

AFSCME Power in Action

Cleveland Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 93

Pipefitters Local 120

Boilermakers Local 744

Building Laborers' Union Local 310

Plumbers Union Local 55

Insulators Local 3

UAW NEO CAP
Bar Association Ratings
https://www.judge4yourself.com/candidate/bridget-m-obrien/

Bridget M. O'Brien

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

This is my first time seeking judicial office.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

This is my first time seeking a judicial seat. I have not previously held judicial office.

Question 2

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

Cleveland Municipal Court handles thousands of cases every year—ranging from traffic, misdemeanors, civil cases up to $15,000, and small claims. My diverse legal experience here in Cleveland for over 20 years have uniquely prepared me to handle these cases fairly and efficiently and to serve the Cleveland community well.

Legal experience: Prior to joining the legal field, I volunteered and worked with marginalized populations. I appreciate the distinct challenges less-advantaged people sometimes have to securing equal access to justice. As an attorney, I have worked both as a housing-court prosecutor and a litigator for the city of Cleveland, practicing in municipal court, common pleas court, and the court of appeals as well as federal district court. I understand the challenges clients face and attorneys have advocating on their behalf, navigating the court system. I have also served the courts in several capacities, including as a judicial attorney working on hundreds of appeals, including complex criminal and civil matters in cases from trial courts across the County (including the Cleveland Municipal Court). I know how to apply the law and clearly communicate it. I am also a Certified Court Manager, licensed through the National Center of State Courts, and currently serve as the Deputy Court Administrator for the Eighth District Court of Appeals, where I help manage court operations and court personnel as well as recommend court policy. My skills in leadership, management, and problem solving are unique to the court system and give me the tools and perspective to:

· Efficiently manage a docket to ensure cases are timely and fairly decided;

· Promote greater access to justice through (1) clear and plain language in court entries, (2) flexible scheduling for hearings; and (3) continued utilization of technology for remote hearings;

· Collaborate with court judges and leaders to continue and improve solution-based programs at the Court as well as establish a Help Center for court users; and

· Work diligently to serve the community with competency and humility.

Temperament and Diligence: I have earned a reputation for being open-minded, respectful, and even-tempered throughout my legal career. I listen and strongly believe that justice requires that people be treated with respect and given the opportunity to be heard. Additionally, I have a proven track record for diligence: I work hard to understand and properly apply the law.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

My extensive and diverse legal experience as well as my demeanor/temperment qualify me to be a good and fair judge. As a former housing-court prosecutor and a litigator for the city of Cleveland, I practiced in municipal court, common pleas court, and the court of appeals as well as federal district court. I understand the challenges clients face and attorneys have advocating on their behalf, navigating the court system. I have also served the courts in several capacities, including as a judicial attorney working on hundreds of appeals, including complex criminal and civil matters in cases from trial courts across the County (including the Cleveland Municipal Court). I know how to apply the law and clearly communicate it. I am also a Certified Court Manager and currently serve as the Deputy Court Administrator for the Eighth District Court of Appeals, where I help manage court operations, court personnel, and court policy. My skills in leadership, management, and problem solving give me the tools and perspective to:

· Efficiently manage a docket to ensure cases are timely and fairly decided;

· Promote greater access to justice through (1) clear and plain language in court entries, (2) flexible scheduling for hearings; and (3) continued utilization of technology for remote hearings;

· Collaborate with court judges and leaders to continue and improve solution-based programs at the Court and establish a Help Center for court users; and

· Work diligently to serve the community with competency and humility.

Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I want to be a judge in the Cleveland Municipal Court because this court is one where I can make a positive impact on my community and individuals’ lives. I am a firm believer that addressing the root cause of criminal behavior is the key to reducing recidivism and preventing escalation to more serious behavior. Cleveland Municipal Court is aligned with this goal. It is a problem-solving court with specialized dockets, resources, and programming to directly address the root cause of behavior to promote productive members of our community. I welcome the opportunity to do this work and to join this problem-solving court. I am confident that my extensive and diverse legal experience has prepared me well to handle the high-volume of traffic, misdemeanor, and civil cases, to fairly administer justice, and to keep our community safe. I am also eager to bring my unique and specialized experience to collaborate with the judges of this court to better serve Cleveland in three distinct ways: (1) Establish a Help Center to help the many self-represented litigants that appear in this court; (2) Expand the CMC’s educational outreach efforts into the Cleveland schools to increase student awareness on the judicial system process, the court’s jurisdiction and programming, and the importance of the rule of law in their own lives; and (3) Update the type/format of the journal entry utilized in an effort to create clarity and uniformity.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers