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Susan K Steinhauer

Susan K Steinhauer

For Judge of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division
Full Term Beginning 1/6/2023

Candidate Q&A

Candidate Details

  • Residence
    Stow
  • Email
    contact@judgesusanohio.com
  • Website
    judgesusanohio.com
  • Social Media
    facebook.com/judgesusansteinhauer
  • Age
    49
  • Occupation
    Judge, Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division
  • Education

    Firestone HS Honors graduate 1991

    Miami University, BS in business, marketing major, MIS minor 1995

    Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis, JD 1998

    Mini MBA Miami University 2021

  • Work Experience

    Judge Summit County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division 4/2/21-present (appointed 4/2/21, officially took the bench 4/26/21)

    Attorney, Law Offices of John S. Steinhauer 2011-2021

    Chief Legal Officer, White Hat Management, 2008-2011

    Judicial Attorney/Magistrate on an as needed basis, Summit County Court of Common Pleas General Division 2001-2008

    Assistant Summit County Prosecutor, Child Support and Dependency, Neglect and Abuse divisions, 1999-2001

  • Family
    Mother of 2 girls with long time partner of over 20 years
  • Affiliations

    First United Methodist Church, Cuyahoga Falls

    PEO (philanthropic education organization)

    Summit County Racism is a Public Health Crisis, Domestic Relations Division representative

    Riverview Elementary PTA

    Stow Council PTA

    Lakeview Elementary School PTA

    Center Stage Dance Studio Parent Association

    All About Dance Competition Booster Club, originating member through 6/30/19

    Project ECHO through the Ohio Supreme Court

    Through the Ohio Judicial Conference, member of the Domestic Relations Judges Committee, the Technology Committee and the Legislative Committee

    Akron Bar Association

    Kappa Delta Sorority

    Wilkie Inn of Courts

    Summit County Republican Precinct Committee Person through 3/31/21

  • Bar Association Ratings

    Rated "Excellent" by the Akron Bar Association 2022

Photo of Susan K Steinhauer Susan K Steinhauer

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

Magistrate on as needed basis Summit County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, 2004-2008

Judge Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division 2021-present

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

Magistrate on as needed basis Summit County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, 2004-2008

Judge Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division 2021-present

Question 2

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

I have an extensive background in numerous areas of law.  As a judge, I am required to deal with complex litigation, division of assets, debts as well as companies, stocks, bonds and real estate.  I also analyze the overarching circumstances to determine what is in the best interest of children in dealing with custody issues.  My business degree and mini MBA as well as my position as Chief Legal Officer (responsible for all legal matters for the company) make me uniquely qualified as I understand the nuances and intricacies present.  As the Chief Legal Officer, I also worked with non-profit entities, dealt with human resources matters including EEO investigations, created policies and procedures, drafted proposed legislation, coordinated all aspects of litigation, analyzed new legislation and contracts, maintained compliance with applicable state and federal laws, engaged in contract negotiations and litigation settlements and collaborated with various stakeholders.   My experience as an assistant prosecutor prepared me for the complexities present in child support calculations as well as how to protect the best interests of children during extremely difficult and emotional circumstances.  During my time as a judicial attorney and magistrate I drafted orders, decisions, civil and criminal jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms and ghost wrote opinions on a regular basis concerning a multitude of areas of law including a specialization in foreclosures, asbestos cases and high profile cases or highly complex litigation.  I mediated settlements in cases, heard emergency motions, presided over numerous motions including preliminary injunction hearings.  Additionally, I presided over a vast majority of the civil protection stalking cases from 2004-2008.  I also served successfully as a bailiff and judicial attorney while preforming my magistrate duties.  All of these positions gave me experience and perspective that I bring to the bench and help me in successfully executing the responsibilities of my job as Judge. 

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

As a judge, I deal with complex litigation, division of assets, debts, companies, stocks, bonds and real estate.  I also analyze the overarching circumstances to determine what is in the best interest of children.  My business degree and mini MBA as well as my position as Chief Legal Officer make me uniquely qualified as I understand the nuances and intricacies present.  As the CLO, I also worked with non-profit entities, dealt with human resources matters including EEO investigations, created policies and procedures, drafted proposed legislation,   coordinated all aspects of litigation, analyzed new legislation and contracts, maintained compliance with applicable state and federal laws, engaged in contract negotiations and litigation settlements and collaborated with various stakeholders.   My experience as an assistant prosecutor prepared me for the complexities present in child support calculations as well as how to protect the best interests of children during extremely difficult and emotional circumstances.  During my time as a judicial attorney and magistrate I drafted orders, decisions, civil and criminal jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms and ghost wrote opinions on a regular basis concerning numerous areas of law including a specialization in foreclosures, asbestos cases and high profile cases or highly complex litigation. Additionally, I presided over a vast majority of the civil protection stalking cases from 2004-2008.  All of these positions gave me experience and perspective that I bring to the bench and help me in successfully executing the responsibilities of my job as Judge.

Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I am running to retain my current seat as a Judge on the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division because I understand the importance of guiding people through the process of divorce, dissolution and a variety of child custody and child support matters while maintaining dignity, having compassion and empathy, and reaching what is the most equitable decision given the set of circumstances.  I also strongly believe in protecting our children and ensuring that any decision is in the best interest of the children so that the children feel loved, have parenting time with both parents when appropriate and are able to grow into successful adults. 

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

I am running to retain my current seat as a Judge on the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division because I understand the importance of guiding people through the process of divorce, dissolution and a variety of child custody and child support matters while maintaining dignity, having compassion and empathy, and reaching what is the most equitable decision given the set of circumstances.  I also strongly believe in protecting our children and ensuring that any decision is in the best interest of the children so that the children feel loved, have parenting time with both parents when appropriate and are able to grow into successful adults.