James J. Costello
Cleveland Heights Municipal Court
Full Term Commencing Jan. 1, 2024
*Top Vote-Getter in General Election
Candidate Details
- Residence
Cleveland Heights - Website
judgecostello.com - Social Media
facebook.com/JudgeJJCostello
instagram.com/costello4judge - Age
44 - Occupation
Judge - Education
CWRU School of Law - 2002 to 2005 - Juris Doctor
Miami University - 1997 to 2001 - BS in Business
- Work Experience
Judge - Cleveland Heights Municipal Court - 01/2018 to Present
Acting Judge - Cleveland Heights Municipal Court - 10/2015 to 12/2017
Attorney - Powers Friedman Linn, PLL - 7/2006 to 12/2017
Attorney - Solo Practitioner - 11/2005 to 7/2006 - Family
Married with Two Children - Affiliations
I am currently serving on the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Commission on Technology and the Courts and on the Ohio Judicial Conference Civil Law and Procedure Committee and Legislative Committee. I was elected by my peers to serve as a Trustee to the Association of Municipal and County Judges of Ohio as well as Secretary of the Northern Ohio Municipal Judges Association. Since taking the bench, I have given lectures on a variety of topics to the International Municipal Lawyers Association, the Strategic Code Enforcement Management Academy, the City Club of Cleveland, and others. I also routinely meet with our students to do things like discussing what it takes to be a leader to sixth graders or reading a book to first graders.
James J. Costello
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
I have been a municipal court judge for the last six years, and before that I was an acting judge for two years.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersI have been a municipal court judge for the last six years, and before that I was an acting judge for two years.
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
As an attorney, I represented clients in criminal and civil matters before numerous municipal courts throughout Ohio.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersAs an attorney, I represented clients in criminal and civil matters before numerous municipal courts throughout Ohio.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am running for re-election because I want to continue to serve and give back to this great community.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersI am running for re-election because I want to continue to serve and give back to this great community.