Marisa L. Cornachio

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

January 2018- Current- Judge, Willoughby Municipal Court

Judge Cornachio serves as the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Willoughby Municipal Court. She administers one of the busiest single-judge court dockets in Ohio. Duties include presiding over civil and criminal cases; felony preliminary hearings; setting felony and misdemeanor bonds; conducting bench and jury trials; sentencing and probation violation hearings. Judge Cornachio established and presides over the Willoughby Veterans Treatment Court, Lake County’s first specialized docket for veterans.

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Question 2

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

CornachioLaw, LLC | Willoughby, OH | Managing Member
2008 - 2018

Provided counsel to closely held family businesses on a wide range of
organizational and operational issues

Appeared in small claims court to resolve contract disputes

Extensive experience representing court-appointed receivers in all facets of
the receivership, including disposition of commercial property

Represented buyers, sellers, and developers in all aspects of commercial
and residential property acquisition and sale

Represented landlords in landlord/tenant disputes

Served as Special Prosecutor by the request of the Lake County
Prosecuting Attorney, Charles E. Coulson, and by appointment of the Lake
County Court of Common Pleas

Prosecuted felony offenses and juvenile delinquencies on behalf of the
State of Ohio and child support and abuse/neglect cases for the Lake
County Department of Job and Family Services

Evaluated cases and made charging determinations

Presented cases to grand jury for indictment

Conducted arraignment and bond proceedings

Facilitated pre-trial conference and/or plea agreements

Litigated felonies at trial by jury

Lakeland Community College | Kirtland, OH | Adjunct Professor, Business Division
2010 - 2016

Provided classroom and online instruction in a variety of Paralegal Studies courses, including Criminal Law, Legal Research and Writing, Investigative Fact Finding, and Legal Internship Seminars I and II

Assisted paralegal students in obtaining internships in a legal setting

Instructed paralegal students on rules of ethics and professionalism in the workplace

Lake County Prosecutor’s Office | Painesville, OH
2003 - 2008

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Felony Division, 2005-2008
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Juvenile Division, 2004
Law Clerk / Certified Legal Intern, 2003-2004

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Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Lake County for the last six years. I am a life-long resident of Lake County. I live in Willoughby with my husband of nineteen years, Michael, and our three children. Just like every wife and mother, I care deeply about the community my family calls home.  I have dedicated much of my career to serving the citizens of Lake County. Prior to taking the bench, I worked on behalf of the people of Lake County as an Assistant Lake County Prosecuting Attorney. I served in both the juvenile and felony divisions under Lake County Prosecuting Attorney Charles Coulson. While raising my family and in private law practice, I served as a Special Lake County Prosecutor, by appointment of the Lake County Court of Common Pleas judges. I am a former adjunct professor at Lakeland Community College.  I have been active in my community and our children’s schools.

I understand that strong communities depend on strong judges who are ready to make difficult decisions when necessary. In looking at my character, background and my commitment and passion for our community, the choice should be clear. I seek this office to positively impact our community and uphold the rule of law.  I will continue to work each and every day to administer justice and maintain the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.  I hope I have earned your confidence during my first term as your judge and that you will re-elect me on Election Day.