American judge
Judith L. “Judi” French (born August 22, 1962) is an American jurist. She was appointed to the Ohio Supreme Court by Governor John Kasich, to replace Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, who resigned. A graduate of The Ohio State University, she previously served as a judge of the Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals. She lost re-election in 2020 to Democratic appeals court judge Jennifer Brunner.
Education.
French graduated from Ohio State University in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in political science. In 1988 she earned a master's degree in history (Military History &amp; Strategic Studies) from the same university, and Juris Doctor, cum laude, from The Ohio State University College of Law, now known as the Moritz College of Law.
Supreme Court of Ohio service.
In May, 2012, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton announced she would retire at the end of 2012. On December 20, 2012, Ohio Governor John Kasich appointed French to Stratton's unexpired term, which ran through January 1, 2015, effective January 1, 2013. No replacement was announced that day for French on the appeals court. French ran for election in 2014. During a campaign rally, French stated that she would serve as a "backstop" to the decisions of GOP officeholders. French later defended her remarks, arguing that they did not violate the Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct, which states that judicial candidates have a special obligation to ensure that the judicial system is viewed as nonpartisan.
Ohio Insurance Director tenure.
French was appointed to be Director of the Ohio Department of Insurance by Governor Mike DeWine following the expiration of her term as a Supreme Court Justice.
Personal.
Judith L. French is a Republican, and 50 years old at the time of her appointment. She is a resident of Grandview Heights, Ohio, and is a native of Sebring, Ohio. She is married to Franklin County Common Pleas Magistrate Ed Skeens, and has two children.
Notes.
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