Candidate Details
- Residence
Cincinnati - Email
judgemarilynzayas@gmail.com - Website
judgemarilynzayas.com - Social Media
facebook.com/Vote4JudgeZ
twitter.com/vote4JudgeZayas - Age
59 - Occupation
Judge, Hamilton County's Court of Appeals - Education
University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D.
CUNY, The City College of New York, B.S. in Computer Science.
Graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy.
- Work Experience
● Judge at Ohio’s First District Court of Appeals. Decided over 1400 appellate cases throughout Ohio. 2016 – Present.
● Judge by special assignment at Ohio’s Second, Sixth, Tenth, and Eighth District Courts of Appeals.
● Selected by Ohio Supreme Court’s Chief Justice to serve by special assignment on a case at Ohio’s Supreme Court.
● Ohio Supreme Court Board on Character & Fitness, Commissioner. December 2018-February 2022.
● MZD Law, Attorney, Founder. 2000-2016. ● University of Cincinnati College of Law, Adjunct Professor. 1998-2001.
● Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office, Trial Counsel. 1998-2001.
● Holland & Hart LLP, Intellectual Property Litigator and Labor & Employment Law. 1997-1998.
● G.E. Aircraft Engines, Summer Associate. Summer 1996.
● Judge Ann Marie Tracey, Judicial Extern. Fall 1996.
● The Procter & Gamble Co., IT Manager. 1988-1994.
- Family
Mother of three adult children and Grandmimi of two rescue doggies. - Affiliations
● Created "Educating Tomorrow's Leader's". A program for students to understand our justice system, learn from judges & attorneys, and inspire them to dream big. Good Morning America recognized me for my student work.
● Created "Girls In Law" in partnership with the Cincinnati Public Schools. A multi-week program open to Juniors and Seniors throughout CPS. Students receive an in-depth understanding of the judicial system, are provided networking opportunities, and are encouraged to overcome obstacles that they face.
● Ohio and Hamilton County Bar Associations.
● Ohio Court of Appeals Judges Association.
● U.C. College of Law Dean’s Advisory Board.
● Board member of Beech Acres Parenting Center.
● Past Board member of Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio.
● Past Board member of Cincinnati Ballet Board.
- Bar Association Ratings
In 2022, I earned an excellent, the highest judicial rating, from the Cleveland Metropolitan and Norman S. Minor Bar Associations.
Marilyn Zayas
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Hamilton County’s First District Court of Appeals (2016 – Present). Decided over 1400 cases.
It has been a great honor to serve you as an appellate judge on Hamilton County’s First District Court of Appeals. When I was first elected in 2016, I was a political outsider. It was my first campaign, and I ran against an incumbent appointed by the governor. I am the first Latina elected to any Ohio appellate court. In 2018, I was re-elected by an overwhelming majority of over 60% of the voters. I am currently the most experienced appellate judge serving on Hamilton County’s First District Court of Appeals.
The Ohio Supreme Court’s Chief Justice appointed me to serve as a commissioner on the Board of Character and Fitness where we conduct hearings to ensure that applicants possess the necessary character and moral qualifications to practice law as an attorney in Ohio. I have also been honored to be appointed by Ohio’s Chief Justice to serve on a case as a visiting judge on the Ohio Supreme Court and the Second, Sixth, Eighth, and Tenth District Courts of Appeals.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersHamilton County’s First District Court of Appeals (2016 – Present). Decided over 1400 cases.
It has been a great honor to serve you as an appellate judge on Hamilton County’s First District Court of Appeals. When I was first elected in 2016, I was a political outsider. It was my first campaign, and I ran against an incumbent appointed by the governor. I am the first Latina elected to any Ohio appellate court. In 2018, I was re-elected by an overwhelming majority of over 60% of the voters. I am currently the most experienced appellate judge serving on Hamilton County’s First District Court of Appeals.
The Ohio Supreme Court’s Chief Justice appointed me to serve as a commissioner on the Board of Character and Fitness where we conduct hearings to ensure that applicants possess the necessary character and moral qualifications to practice law as an attorney in Ohio. I have also been honored to be appointed by Ohio’s Chief Justice to serve on a case as a visiting judge on the Ohio Supreme Court and the Second, Sixth, Eighth, and Tenth District Courts of Appeals.
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
My personal and professional experiences have provided the bedrock foundation of who I am as a judge. Growing up in a crime-ridden neighborhood and difficult family circumstances, all I wanted was a fair chance in life. Through hard work and education, I am serving our community in ways that I never dreamt possible as a little Latina girl growing up in New York City.
Professionally, prior to joining the court, I advocated for my clients for nearly 20 years, litigating in both state and federal courts. I represented clients from all over the world and all walks of life. Some were millionaires, some were impoverished. I treated them all with the utmost dignity and respect. My extensive legal background includes experience in business and family immigration law, intellectual property, labor and employment, criminal, delinquency, custody, and adoptions. I also partnered with various law enforcement agencies to improve victims’ access to courts.
As a judge, my priority is to ensure that the law is applied fairly and consistently and with integrity, independence, and common sense to all. My vast and varied legal and life experiences enable me to fully understand the complex legal issues we are currently facing. Every day I go to court recognizing that it is my duty to provide to all that come before me a fair chance by rendering decisions based on a thorough review of facts of the case and applying the law and Constitution equally with no favoritism or outside agendas.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersMy personal and professional experiences have provided the bedrock foundation of who I am as a judge. Growing up in a crime-ridden neighborhood and difficult family circumstances, all I wanted was a fair chance in life. Through hard work and education, I am serving our community in ways that I never dreamt possible as a little girl growing up.
Professionally, prior to joining the court, I advocated for my clients for nearly 20 years, in both state and federal courts. I represented clients from all over the world and all walks of life. Some were millionaires, some were impoverished. I treated them all with the utmost dignity and respect. My extensive legal background includes experience in business and family immigration law, intellectual property, labor and employment, criminal, delinquency, custody, and adoptions. I also partnered with various law enforcement agencies to improve victims’ access to courts.
As a judge, my priority is to ensure that the law is applied fairly and consistently and with integrity, independence, and common sense to all. My vast and varied legal and life experiences enable me to fully understand the complex legal issues we are currently facing. Every day I go to court recognizing that it is my duty to provide to all that come before me a fair chance by rendering decisions based on a thorough review of facts of the case and applying the law and Constitution equally with no favoritism or outside agendas.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I bring a unique perspective to the court with my nearly 8 years of experience as an appellate judge, my 20 years of legal experience as an advocate for my clients, my experience at Procter & Gamble as an IT Manager, and my underprivileged background. Since joining the court, I have decided over 1,400 appeals throughout Ohio. I was appointed by Ohio’s Chief Justice by special assignment to sit for a case at the Ohio Supreme Court and to sit on the Second, Sixth, Eighth, and Tenth District Courts of Appeals.
Each case in the court of appeals is decided by a panel of three judges who work together, respect each other, and learn from each other. It is important to have judges with a variety of backgrounds and perspectives to ensure that each case is carefully and completely reviewed.
I am vehemently committed to faithfully apply the law and our constitution equally to all, regardless of political influence or pressure. I am running for re-election to Hamiton County’s First District Court of Appeals because our county deserves a judge from a background and circumstances that represent many of the Ohioans the court serves, and who has the courage to take on challenging issues with an independent and common-sense approach focused on maintaining the integrity of our judiciary.
It would be an honor to continue serving you.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersI bring a unique perspective to the court with my nearly 8 years of experience as an appellate judge, my 20 years of legal experience as an advocate for my clients, my experience at Procter & Gamble as an IT Manager, and my underprivileged background. Since joining the court, I have decided over 1,400 appeals throughout Ohio. I was appointed by Ohio’s Chief Justice by special assignment to sit for a case at the Ohio Supreme Court and to sit on the Second, Sixth, Eighth, and Tenth District Courts of Appeals.
Each case in the court of appeals is decided by a panel of three judges who work together, respect each other, and learn from each other. It is important to have judges with a variety of backgrounds and perspectives to ensure that each case is carefully and completely reviewed.
I am vehemently committed to faithfully apply the law and our constitution equally to all, regardless of political influence or pressure. I am running for re-election to Hamiton County’s First District Court of Appeals because our county deserves a judge from a background and circumstances that represent many of the Ohioans the court serves, and who has the courage to take on challenging issues with an independent and common-sense approach focused on maintaining the integrity of our judiciary.
It would be an honor to continue serving you.