Lorain County Probate Judge James Walther named president of National College of Probate Judges

Lorain County Probate Judge James Walther was sworn in as president of the National College of Probate Judges during the organization's 2023 fall conference in Tampa, Florida, on Friday. Dianne Yamin, the outgoing NCPJ president and a retired probate judge in Danbury, Connecticut, conducted the swearing-in ceremony. Yamin also presented Walther with the ceremonial gavel of NCPJ president. Walther's term as president is for one year. Yamin commended Walther's passion and potential for the job. She also expressed confidence in his role as ambassador for the organization, according to a news release. Walther said he appreciated Yamin's "exemplary" leadership and highlighted her commitment to the NCPJ's mission. Walther emphasized his commitment to mentorship within the judicial community, urging fellow judges to guide and support new members during remarks to his fellow judges at the conference. "NCPJ has been instrumental in my development as a judge, and I firmly believe that continuous growth is essential throughout one's career," Walther said. He then ended his remarks with the signature call-and-response "O-H" and received "a resounding 'I-O' from the audience," according to a news release. Walther is the third NCPJ president from Ohio. Judges George Demis and R.R. Denny Clunk also hailed from Ohio. NCPJ is the exclusive national organization dedicated to enhancing probate law and probate courts, and aims to foster efficient, fair and just judicial administration in probate courts while providing ongoing education opportunities for judges and related personnel. It is headquartered in Williamsburg, Virginia. Walther assumed the presidency of the Ohio Association of Probate Judges earlier this year, with Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy administering the oath. He also serves on the board of the Ohio Judicial College, and has presided over the Lorain County Probate Court since 2009. He also has overseen the Lorain County Veterans Treatment Court since May 2014. At the conference's reception, retired Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice James Hardesty received the Treat Award for his outstanding contribution to probate law and judicial administration, particularly for spearheading the comprehensive reform of the guardianship system in Nevada.