Candidate Details
- Residence
Avon Lake - Email
grsmith@elyrialaw.com - Website
smithforavonlake.com - Social Media
facebook/GeoffSmithforJudge - Age
64 - Occupation
Attorney - Education
Saint Ignatius High School, Undergraduate B.A. degree from The University of Southern California, and Graduate J.D. degree from Case Western Reserve University
- Work Experience
I am a lifelong resident of the court district and bring over 40 years of experience practicing law to the bench. I served my community as Law Director of the City of Avon Lake, including supervising the Prosecutor and prosecuting cases. My work continued as an assistant law director and prosecutor for the City of Lorain. I was also the Administrative Legal Counsel to Mayor Holly Brinda of Elyria. I have more than 20 years of public service.
During this time I was in private practice for over 40 years. I began as a law clerk and after passing the Ohio Bar Examination in 1983 I became an associate at Smith and Smith in Avon Lake. Eventually, I became the managing partner of the 12-attorney firm until leaving to start my own firm in Elyria in 2004. I have represented individuals in the Municipals Courts throughout Ohio, including the Avon Lake Municipal Court in evictions, collections, and other misdemeanor traffic and criminal case.
- Family
Proud father of two children and one granddaughter - Affiliations
I was actively involved in the Avon/Avon Lake Chamber of Commerce as a member of its Board of Trustees and helping to see it transform into the North Coast Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years, along with being instrumental in the Chamber’s creation of the scholarship program for Avon, Avon Lake, and Brookside students headed to college.
My activities over the years have included coaching and mentoring youth through the Avon Lake youth sports programming including baseball and basketball. This included being very active in St. Joseph parish as a member and in coaching various CYO activities, both boys and girls, including baseball, basketball, and various fundraising activities. During that time I was also a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County.
I continue to remain active at St. Thomas Parish attending mass and as a member of their finance committee.
Currently, I am Chairman of the Board of Primary Purpose Center Inc. Primary provides local supportive residential recovery housing and has presently beds for over 100 people. It serves residents of the Avon Lake Municipal Court District, both men and women. They are a 501(C)(3) non-profit corporation.
- Endorsements
Geoffrey R Smith
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I have represented individuals in the Municipals Courts throughout Ohio, including the Avon Lake Municipal Court in evictions, collections, and other misdemeanor traffic and criminal case. I have been a court-appointed arbitrator and mediator. I have defended, prosecuted, and represented Plaintiffs and Defendants in all cases before a Municipal Court Judge. My experience is by far the most well-rounded of any of the candidates for this position.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am running for this position because I believe in giving back to the community that helped raise me and my family. I now wish to continue my public service by serving as the local municipal court judge.
As a lifelong resident, I have seen the growth first-hand in Avon, Avon Lake, and Sheffield Village leading to more cases handled by the court. I understand deeply the legal and safety challenges affecting our families and neighborhoods that come with this rapid growth. I also understand that whenever residents interact with the court, their experience should be efficient and exceptional.
In order to make that happen, I will bring my 40 years of experience to the job on day one.
I have a strong work ethic and commitment to service and, last but not least, I will do a great job as the next Avon Lake Municipal Court Judge.