Longtime local attorney Scot Stevenson took the bench in Summit County Common Pleas Court this week after an appointment to a judgeship by Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
Stevenson of Barberton took office on Wednesday. His predecessor, Judge Tom Parker, resigned in March to become a magistrate in U.S. District Court in Cleveland. Judge Judy Hunter was appointed to preside in the meantime.
Stevenson, a Republican who has practiced law in the area for 23 years, said the appointment to judge has been an aspiration of his for some time.
“It’s something I’ve been working toward for a while,” he said. “I’m glad to be here.”
He’ll run in the November election to retain his seat for the remainder of Parker’s expired term, which ends in 2021. His Democratic challenger will be Akron Municipal Judge Joy Malek Oldfield.
Stevenson said he “has concerns” with Oldfield’s ethical history regarding an incident in 2012 for which she was reprimanded by the Ohio Supreme Court, but declined to say more.
“I’d rather focus on my appointment right now,” he said. “We’ll have time later in the campaign to talk more about that.”
Contacted Friday, Oldfield, who has been on the bench for five years, wished Stevenson well in his campaign.
“There’s no animosity between us,” she said. “But I do hope the voters will see who’s the more qualified candidate.”
Over the course of his career, Stevenson has worked as a magistrate, a private attorney, a Bureau of Motor Vehicles hearing officer and law director for Twinsburg Township. In his career, he’s handled domestic, criminal and civil cases.
“It works with Common Pleas Court because you’re kind of a jack of all trades,” he said.
As a common pleas judge, he oversees civil and criminal cases. His first trial as judge is expected to begin Monday.
Stevenson, who obtained his law degree from the University of Akron in 1992, is married to Diana Stevenson, the Barberton clerk of courts and a candidate for the 9th District Court of Appeals. They have two sons, 18-year-old Joshua and 15-year-old Alex.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ.