Skip Menu
Pat  DeWine

Pat DeWine

For Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio
Full Term Beginning 1/2/2023

*Top Vote-Getter in General Election

Candidate Details

  • Residence
    Columbus
  • Email
    justicepatdewine@gmail.com
  • Website
    patdewine.com
  • Social Media
    facebook.com/JusticePatDeWine
    twitter.com/patdewine
  • Age
    54
  • Occupation
    Supreme Court Justice
  • Education

    Miami University, B.A., B.S., Summa Cum Laude
    University of Michigan Law School J.D., Order of Coif (top 10% of class)

  • Work Experience

    June 1995-June 1996: Law clerk, The Honorable David A. Nelson, United States Court of
    Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Cincinnati Ohio
    Nov. 1994-June 1995; June 1996-Jan. 2008: Attorney, KMK Law
    Dec. 1999-Jan. 2005: Councilmember, City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Ohio
    Jan. 2005-Jan. 2009: Member, Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, Cincinnati Ohio
    Jan. 2009-Mar. 2013: Judge, Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Cincinnati Ohio
    Mar. 2013-January 1, 2017: Judge, First District Court of Appeals, Cincinnati Ohio
    Sept. 2014-Present: Adjunct Professor, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Ohio
    January 2, 2017–Present: Justice, Ohio Supreme Court

  • Family
    I have three children.
  • Affiliations

    Cincinnati Bar Association, 1995-present
    Ohio State Bar Association, 1995-present (various years)
    NAACP, 2012-2016
    United Way, Board Member, 2005-2009
    Cincinnati Special Improvement District, Board Member, 2005-2009
    Talbert House, Board Member, 1997-1999
    Mt. Lookout Civic Club, Board Member, 1997-1999
    Over the Rhine Foundation, Board Member, 1997-1999
    Founder, Build Cincinnati Charter Reform Effort, effort successfully amended City Charter to
    provide for direct election of mayor and other reforms, 1997-1999.

  • Endorsements

    Ohio Fraternal Order of Police

    Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association

    Toledo Police Command Officers' Association 

    Ohio Chamber of Commerce

    National Federation of Independent Businesses

    Cleveland Building & Construction Trades

    Ohio State Medical Association

    Ohio Manufacturing Association

    International Brotherhood of Teamsters

    International Union of Operating Engineers

    Buckeye Firearms

    Ohio Right to Life

    Ohio Business Roundtable

    Ohio Farm Bureau’s Agriculture for Good Government PAC

    Cleveland American Middle Eastern Organization

    International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Local 105

    The Leadership Fund (Toledo Chamber of Commerce PAC)

    Ohio Society of CPAs

    Tri-State Building Trades Union

    Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association, Local 886

    Toledo Police Patrolman's Association 

  • Bar Association Ratings

    This year, the Ohio State Bar Association chose not to rate statewide candidates. Pat’s rated
    Good by regional bar associations like the Asian American Bar Association of Ohio, Cleveland
    Metropolitan Bar Association and the Norman S. Minor Bar Association.

Photo of Pat  DeWine Pat DeWine

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

Jan. 2009-Mar. 2013: Judge, Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Cincinnati Ohio
Mar. 2013-January 1, 2017: Judge, First District Court of Appeals, Cincinnati Ohio
January 2, 2017–Present: Justice, Ohio Supreme Court

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

Jan. 2009-Mar. 2013: Judge, Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Cincinnati Ohio
Mar. 2013-January 1, 2017: Judge, First District Court of Appeals, Cincinnati Ohio
January 2, 2017–Present: Justice, Ohio Supreme Court


Question 2

What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?

I bring a unique perspective to the Ohio Supreme Court because of my service in other branches
of government and every level of Ohio courts. As a Cincinnati City Councilmember, I dealt with
some very difficult issues involving our legal system and the community. I served as Chair of the
Law Committee immediately following the riots in Cincinnati and was deeply involved in a
collaborative process that made significant and sustained improvements in police-community
relations. My service on City Council and the County Commission has given me a keen
understanding of the role of the other branches of government and the impact of our judicial
system on these branches.


I have also served as a judge at all three levels of Ohio’s courts, something very few judges can
say. This has helped me understand how the supreme court can work with and improve judicial
functions across every court in Ohio.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

I bring a unique perspective to the Ohio Supreme Court because of my service in other branches
of government and every level of Ohio courts. As a Cincinnati City Councilmember, I dealt with
some very difficult issues involving our legal system and the community. I served as Chair of the
Law Committee immediately following the riots in Cincinnati and was deeply involved in a
collaborative process that made significant and sustained improvements in police-community
relations. My service on City Council and the County Commission has given me a keen
understanding of the role of the other branches of government and the impact of our judicial
system on these branches.


I have also served as a judge at all three levels of Ohio’s courts, something very few judges can
say. This has helped me understand how the supreme court can work with and improve judicial
functions across every court in Ohio.


Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I care deeply about this state and its legal system. If we are going to prosper as a state, we need
communities where people feel safe. Without safe communities, people will not want to live,
invest or create jobs in our state. As Justice, I can plan an important role in making sure that the
rule of law is protected in Ohio.


I also believe strongly that a stable and predictable legal environment is critical to our economy.
Judges should strictly apply the law as it is written. We may not impose our own personal
viewpoints but must adhere strictly to the law and the constitution. When we act in the manner
we ensure fairness and equal treatment because the same rules apply to everyone. We also create
a stable and predictable legal environment that encourages people to want to live and create jobs
in this State.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

I care deeply about this state and its legal system. If we are going to prosper as a state, we need
communities where people feel safe. Without safe communities, people will not want to live,
invest or create jobs in our state. As Justice, I can plan an important role in making sure that the
rule of law is protected in Ohio.


I also believe strongly that a stable and predictable legal environment is critical to our economy.
Judges should strictly apply the law as it is written. We may not impose our own personal
viewpoints but must adhere strictly to the law and the constitution. When we act in the manner
we ensure fairness and equal treatment because the same rules apply to everyone. We also create
a stable and predictable legal environment that encourages people to want to live and create jobs
in this State.