Oct. 26, 2010
Governor Appoints Jill T. Leatherman
to Van Wert Municipal Court
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland today appoined Jill T. Leatherman to the Van Wert Municipal Court. She will begin her duties on Nov. 8.
Leatherman, 39, of Van Wert, fills the vacancy on the bench after the resignation of Judge Phil W. Campbell on July 15. To retain the seat, she must run in the November 2011 general election.
Leatherman is currently a senior claims attorney for Central Mutual Insurance Company. Before that, she served as Van Wert’s law director from 2003 to 2006. In that role, her responsibilities were to serve as the chief legal counsel for the city, as a prosecutor before the Van Wert Municipal Court, and to draft legislation and legal opinions for the Van Wert City Council. Leatherman was an attorney in private practice from 2002 to 2003.
Leatherman serves on the board of directors for the YWCA of Van Wert County and was honored as a YWCA Woman of Achievement. She was also an advisory board member with the children’s charity Starr Commonwealth from 2009 to 2010, and formerly served on the boards of trustees for the United Way of Van Wert County and the Community Health Professionals and Hospice – The Caring Way. She is a member of the Ohio State and Van Wert County bar associations.
Leatherman received a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in 1999 and a law degree from Ohio Northern University in 2002.
“Jill’s professional background in private practice and serving the public as the Van Wert city law director have provided her diverse and challenging experiences that make her an ideal appointment to the Van Wert Municipal Court,” Gov. Strickland said. “I hope she serves as an example for other young Ohioans that they can build their careers right here in Ohio and use their talents to serve the people of our great state.”
“I’m truly honored by Gov. Strickland’s appointment, and I look forward to serving my community,” Leatherman said.