Three Democrats seek to replace Betleski on Common Pleas Court

Melissa Kobasher Age: 35 Party: Democratic Education: Law degree with specialized certificate in criminal law from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law; associate degree of applied science in criminal justice from Lorain County Community College; bachelor's degrees in political science and American studies, Miami University (Ohio); Wellington High School Family: Husband, Nick; two children, ages 8 and 4. Job history: Magistrate for Lorain County Common Pleas Judge Christopher Rothgery since 2017; magistrate, Lorain County Domestic Relations Court, 2016; criminal defense and family law attorney in private practice; assistant prosecutor, Wellington. Website: KobasherForJudge.com Kim Meyers Age: 65 Party: Democratic Education: Law degree, University of Dayton; bachelor's degree, Arizona State University Family: Wife, Molly; three adult children Job history: Magistrate and staff attorney for Lorain County Common Pleas Judge Mark Betleski for 11 years; practicing attorney for 37 years including partner in the law firm of McCray, Muzilla, Smith, & Meyers Co. LPA in Elyria for more than 20 years. Website: MeyersForJudge.com Zachary Simonoff Age: 56 Party: Democratic Education: Law degree, Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, 1998; bachelor's degree in history, George Washington University, Washington D.C., 1987 Family: Wife, Lisa Swenski, a Lorain County Domestic Relations/Juvenile Court judge Job history: Attorney in private practice, Zachary B. Simonoff Co. LPA formerly Simonoff & Swenski Co. LPA, 2000 to present; prosecutor, city of Lorain, 1999; law clerk, Masters & Associates, 1998-99; U.S. Army National Guard, 1988-2000; full-time law student, 1995-98; logistics management specialist, Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command, 1989-95. Website: SimonoffForJudge.com Three experienced attorneys are squaring off to be the Democratic candidate to replace retiring Lorain County Common Pleas Judge Mark Betleski on the General Division bench. Attorneys Melissa Kobasher, Kim Meyers and Zachary Simonoff will face each other in the May 3 primary. The winner will take on Avon Lake Municipal Judge Darrel Bilancini, a Republican, in the November general election. What makes you the best candidate for the position? KOBASHER: I am already a judicial officer currently responsible for handling hearings and motions and engaging with attorneys and litigants in the court. With Judge Rothgery, I manage the most efficient civil docket in our division and have the experience to appreciate the court's function when cases go to trial, having presided as a judicial officer over a jury trial myself. I was ranked highest amongst the Democratic candidates by my peers, and I take pride in having an unmatched work ethic, firm knowledge of the law, and ability to make unbiased decisions that bring positive changes in the community. MEYERS: My qualifications and experience are the reasons why voters should elect me as judge. I have been practicing law for 37 years, and for the past 11 years, I have worked as a magistrate, one position below the judge. I have more legal experience individually than all other Democrat candidates combined. I am the only candidate who is the recipient of the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating -- one of the highest ratings an attorney can receive for legal ability and ethical standards. As a judge, I will timely resolve cases and serve everyone with honesty, integrity, respect and fairness. SIMONOFF: Having practiced law for 23 years, I am the most experienced handling criminal trial matters, which must be personally handled by a common pleas judge. I have personally handled over 900 felony matters in the court I am running for, far above any other candidate in this race. I started my career as a prosecutor, then for over two decades I have been in private practice focusing on criminal defense, consumer law, and foreclosure cases representing Lorain County residents. I know how judges' decisions impact peoples' lives. This broad experience has prepared me to be a good judge. What is the biggest challenge facing the courts and how would you address it? KOBASHER: There is a lack of confidence in the judicial system, whether it be related to politics, the lack of diverse representation in the courts, inefficiently managed dockets, or fair outcomes. To instill confidence in the judicial system, my focus will be on fairly and efficiently addressing cases and I would work to assure a strong and independent court focused on serving the public. Our courts must be understandable, accessible, and affordable with the use of technology and an engaged court. If elected judge, I bring diversity to the bench and I am experienced in running a fair and efficient docket. MEYERS: The biggest challenge currently facing the court is optimizing the technology that is available and planning for new technology to come. Zoom, Skype, and new teleconferencing technology have been a great benefit to the courts for conducting arraignments, pretrials, conferences, hearings, and presenting live witnesses and experts for court proceedings during the coronavirus pandemic. However, the court needs to optimize the technology to improve convenience and efficiency for the staff, attorneys, and the public. I would develop a committee with staff members and the best information technologists to help us update the online platforms and provide advanced training to users. SIMONOFF: Justice should be timely and many local cases have lingered on the docket without resolution. As judge, I will provide well-researched judgments in a reasonable time frame. Further, many times the jury pool does not represent the diversity of our community. I will work to educate residents about the importance of a representative jury and their role in protecting fairness. I will work to define and implement a consistent policy for virtual court appearances to ensure equal access to the justice system for people who cannot appear in person due to lack of childcare, transportation or other reasons. -- Dave O'Brien