Wooster native is appointed judge in Summit County
Bt Kyle Valentini
May 8, 2011
361
Summary: Wooster native, Tamara OBrien has been appointed to judge in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas by Governor John Kasich. In order to retain the seat, OBrien will have to run for election in 2012. OBrien lives in Bath with her two sons and can usually be seen at their baseball games when she is not on the bench.
Akron attorney Tamara A. OBrien took the bench as a judge in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, after her appointment April 1 by Governor John R. Kasich. OBrien, who took office on April 1, 2011, must run in November 2012 in order to serve out the remainder of the term ending Jan. 1, 2015. She replaces Judge Brenda Burnham Unruh, who retired on Feb. 28, 2011 and died about two weeks later, on March 13, 2011.
When I was informed I got the appointment I had four days to close my practice, said OBrien. Like any new job, I have spent much of my time in orientation. Its been so busy I havent even had time to set up my computer or voicemail, OBrien laughs.
Raised in Wooster, OBrien earned her bachelors degree from the University of Akron and her Juris Doctor from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University. She has been admitted to practice law in Ohio, the U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Since 2000, OBrien has been a partner at Roderick Linton Belfance, LLP in Akron. Prior to joining this firm, she was an associate attorney at the Akron firm of Scanlon & Gearinger Co., LPA, as well as a judicial clerk and staff attorney for the Ninth Appellate District Court of Appeals and an adjunct law professor at the University of Akrons School of Law.
Every day is different. One day its a low level drug case and the next day it might be a rape defendant case. As a judge I will see all different areas of law. It is very mentally and intellectually stimulating, said OBrien.
OBrien will spend four days a week on the bench with one of those days being for pre-trials hearings. Thursday is criminal call day where she addresses 40-50 cases that do not require trials.
It was no secret I was interested in the position, said OBrien. The local political party made a recommendation and I submitted a letter of interest. I have been politically involved since 2004 when I ran for Summit County Fiscal Officer.
I hope to be able to help people, said OBrien. Many crimes stem from substance abuse and economics. Our budget affects the resources we have, but with alternative sentencing and other programs we can make a difference in the lives of people.
As a judge you cant ignore your compassion and the fact there are folks whose lives are in your hands, said OBrien. It a duty of a judge to help protect society. When it comes to sentencing, there is a big difference between 1-5 years. Laws are written to help guide judges in their decisions. These decisions affect real lives. You cant ignore that.
OBrien is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Akron Bar Association and the Ohio Womens Bar Association, and was recognized as a Super Lawyer/Rising Star in Cincinnati Magazines 2005/2006 list of top lawyers in Ohio under 40. OBrien is active in her community, currently serving on the Board of Trustees for the Summit County Chapter of the American Red Cross. She also is a past Board of Trustees member for H.M. Housing, Inc.s Multi-State Low Income Housing Program.
OBrien lives in Bath with her two sons. I have always worked full time so the boys and I are used to the balancing act required to work and be a parent. It helps that I have a good support unit. I have a relatively normal schedule, most of the time. I am realizing the realities of being in an elected position. As a working mother having a plan A and B will usually work, but sometimes it is good to have a plan C and D, said OBrien.
