Welcome to the Task Force On Judicial Excellence

Publicly launched in June 2010, the Task Force On Judicial Exellence is an initiative of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA).  It is comprised of experienced local attorneys representing a wide spectrum of practices that will study the strengths and weaknesses of the system through which Ohioans elect their judges, and then recommend improvements.  In addition, in October of this year, the chairs of both the Cuyahoga County Democratic and Republican parties accepted invitations to join the Task Force.

Although the CMBA has long been involved with voter education, the mission of the Task Force goes beyond educating voters; the group is tasked with finding innovative ways the county can attract, elect, and train a highly qualified judiciary.

The Task Force's initial efforts will be directed at gathering information and ideas.  Bimonthly public forums will explore current electoral practices and procedures and elicit suggestions on how we can improve on them.  In addition, the Task Force will review articles and studies examining state models for judicial elections from across the country and interview academic, statehouse, and civic leaders who have crafted and participated in judicial election models in other states.  After collecting as many perspectives as possible, the Task Force will present recommendations for ensuring the ongoing quality and stability of this critical third branch of government.

The Task Force Members

Co-chaired by Judge Timothy E. McMonagle of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas and James D. Robenalt of Thompson Hine LLP, the task force includes:

• Ahmed A. Abonamah (Clerk) - Cleveland Metropolitan School District
• Evan T. Byron (Clerk) - Chernett Wasserman Yarger, LLC
• A. Steven Dever - A. Steven Dever Co., L.P.A.
• Robert S. Frost - Tucker Ellis & West LLP
• Stuart I. Garson - Seaman Garson LLC
• Kerin L. Kaminski - Giffen & Kaminski, LLC
• Irene C. Keyse-Walker - Tucker Ellis & West LLP
• Barbara A. Lum (Clerk) - Thompson Hine LLP
• Judge Timothy E. McMonagle (Co-Chair) - Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
• David M. Paris - Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy
• James D. Robenalt (Co-Chair) - Thompson Hine LLP
• Jan L. Roller - Davis & Young LPA
• Barbara K. Roman - Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis
• Mark A. Stanton - Short, Shepherd & Stanton
• Carter E. Strang - Tucker Ellis & West LLP
• Roger M. Synenberg - Synenberg & Associates, LLC
• Taras G. Szmagala - Eaton Corporation
• Russell W. Tye - Tye & Associates, L.P.A.
• Michael N. Ungar - Ulmer Berne LLP
• David R. Watson - Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
• Robin G. Weaver - Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP