Oct. 5, 2009
Justices O'Connor, Lanzinger Discuss Probate Cases
Supreme Court of Ohio Justices Maureen O’Connor and Judith Ann Lanzinger spoke Friday at an annual education program for professionals who work in the probate field.
Trumbull County Probate Court Judge Thomas A. Swift invited Justices O’Connor and Lanzinger to discuss recent Supreme Court decisions impacting guardianship, health care and other issues related to adults during the 29th annual Probate Practice Seminar. The 500 people in attendance included attorneys, judges, mental health clinicians, social workers, counselors, nurses, pharmacists, law enforcement, paralegals and legal secretaries.
“I appreciated the opportunity to provide an update for those who practice in this area of the law,” Justice O’Connor said.
“Judge Swift should be commended for annually organizing this informative and insightful look at an ever evolving field,” Justice Lanzinger said.
As the sixth woman and 148th Justice to serve on the Supreme Court, Justice O’Connor was elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2008. She has experience as a practicing attorney, magistrate, common pleas judge, and prosecuting attorney. In 1998, she was elected as lieutenant governor and was the governor’s chief advisor on criminal justice issues, serving as director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and as chair of Ohio’s Security Task Force and the State Building Security Review Committee.
Justice Lanzinger is the only person ever elected to every level of Ohio’s judiciary. The 150th Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, she previously served on the 6th District Court of Appeals for Ohio, the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas and the Toledo Municipal Court. Her varied judicial experience allows her a unique perspective of the state court system. She currently chairs the Supreme Court’s Commission on Superintendence, which recommends rules for all Ohio courts.
For a high-resolution, print-quality photo of Justice O’Connor, http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/PIO/news/images/justices/oconnor_highres.zip.
For a high-resolution, print-quality photo of Justice Lanzinger, visit: http://www.supremecourtofohio.gov/PIO/news/images/justices/lanzinger_highres.zip.
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.