Judge Walther appointed to Board of Trustees of Ohio Supreme Court Judicial College

Lorain County Probate Judge James Walther has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College. The appointment was made by Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor for a three-year term, beginning Jan. 1 and ending Dec. 31, 2022. Walther was nominated for the appointment by Judge Richard Carey, president of the Ohio Association of Probate Judges. "I have been working on Judicial College planning for several years and have been teaching New Judges Orientation for Ohio Probate Judges since 2011," Walther said. "I am grateful for the trust Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor has placed in me and I am excited to get started." Walther is replacing Probate Judge Beverly McGookey of Erie County, whose term expires Dec. 31. The Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College provides continuing legal and professional education for judges, magistrates, acting judges, and non-judicial court personnel to ensure the effective administration of justice for all Ohioans. In addition, the Judicial College offers education opportunities for guardians ad litem and guardians of adults. Working in partnership with all state judicial associations, the Judicial College provides continuing legal education for their members. The Judicial College receives advice from and provides support to its oversight body – the Board of Trustees of the Judicial College. The Board of Trustees consists of 10 members plus Chief Justice O'Connor, who serves ex officio. The membership consists of seven judges appointed by the various judicial associations, one magistrate appointed by the Ohio Association of Magistrates and two judges appointed by the chief justice. "The Judicial College performs a vital service to Ohio's judiciary through its education of judges, magistrates, and court personnel," O'Connor said. "I look forward to working with you on Judicial College matters" she wrote to Walther. Walther has received multiple Meritorious Service Awards from the state Association of Probate Judges. Earlier this year, he was named to the American Bar Association Senior Lawyers Division Opioid Initiative Task Force. He previously was an attorney in private practice and assistant law director for the city of Lorain before being elected to the probate bench in 2008, where he oversees matters of probate law and the county's Veterans Treatment Court.