Marilyn Zayas
1st District Court of Appeals
Full Term Commencing Feb. 10, 2025
*Top Vote-Getter in General Election
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.
- Endorsements
Hamilton County Democratic Party
Retired Court of Appeals Judge Mark Painter (Republican)
Cincinnati Women’s Political Caucus
Ohio Environmental Council
Cincinnati Firefighters Local 48
Greater Cincinnati United Autio Workers CAP Council
Greater Cincinnati AFL-CIO
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Ohio Council 8 and Retiree Chapter 1184
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 75
- 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 1600 cases.
It has been an honor to serve you for almost eight years. When I was first elected in 2016, I was a political outsider. 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. I have earned an excellent, the highest judicial rating, from Bar Associations.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersHamilton County’s First District Court of Appeals (2016 – Present). Decided over 1600 cases.
It has been an honor to serve you for almost eight years. When I was first elected in 2016, I was a political outsider. 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. I have earned an excellent, the highest judicial rating, from Bar Associations.
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 top 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 and unbiased decision based on a thorough review of the facts of the case and applying the law and Constitution. I take an independent approach to each case, with the courage and integrity to faithfully follow the law, unaffected by outside influence or partisan pressure.
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 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 top 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 and unbiased decision based on a thorough review of the facts of the case and applying the law and Constitution. I take an independent approach to each case, with the courage and integrity to faithfully follow the law, unaffected by outside influence or partisan pressure.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
1) Public Trust and Confidence in Our Courts. I am vehemently committed to faithfully apply the law and our constitution equally to all, regardless of political influence or pressure. I will also continue to champion initiatives that increase accountability and transparency. I spearheaded our court holding proceedings in community forums.
2) Ensuring that All Ohioans Have Access to Our Courts: Access to courts by those who have limited resources, providing helpful information. I spearheaded the creation of helpful resources for those who cannot afford to hire an attorney and for new attorneys coming to our court of appeals. I will continue to be a champion of initiative/projects that increase access to our court.
3) Inspiring Our Youth: Since my election I created Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders, an educational and inspirational program for High School, Undergraduate and Law Students to learn about Ohio’s courts, engage with judges, and be inspired to dream big and believe that they can overcome any obstacle. Additionally, for Hispanic Heritage Month and Black History Month, I work with students and put together student programs. ABC’s Good Morning America awarded me a special recognition as a Latina making history for my work with students.
It would be an honor to continue serving you.
Abbreviated Candidate Answers1) Public Trust and Confidence in Our Courts. I am vehemently committed to faithfully apply the law and our constitution equally to all, regardless of political influence or pressure. I will also continue to champion initiatives that increase accountability and transparency. I spearheaded our court holding proceedings in community forums.
2) Ensuring that All Ohioans Have Access to Our Courts: Access to courts by those who have limited resources, providing helpful information. I spearheaded the creation of helpful resources for those who cannot afford to hire an attorney and for new attorneys coming to our court of appeals. I will continue to be a champion of initiative/projects that increase access to our court.
3) Inspiring Our Youth: Since my election I created Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders, an educational and inspirational program for High School, Undergraduate and Law Students to learn about Ohio’s courts, engage with judges, and be inspired to dream big and believe that they can overcome any obstacle. Additionally, for Hispanic Heritage Month and Black History Month, I work with students and put together student programs. ABC’s Good Morning America awarded me a special recognition as a Latina making history for my work with students.
It would be an honor to continue serving you.