Articles - Sharon L. Kennedy

Speaking about her past experiences, Justice Sharon L. Kennedy gave the keynote address at the Ohio Chapter of FBI National Academy Associates annual meeting on October 1.

The FBI NAA is an international organization of more than 18,000 senior law enforcement professionals who completed the FBI's National Academy program. The members help improve law enforcement standards throughout the world by providing specialized training. The conference is an opportunity for law enforcement officials to share ideas, techniques, and experiences.

Justice Kennedy talked to the members about her unique path to the Ohio Supreme Court, from her time as a police officer, to a judge on the Butler County Domestic Relations Court, and to the state's highest court.

"The experience of working a city beat alone taught me self reliance and determination, and they have been my steady guide throughout all of the new paths of my career," Justice Kennedy said. "Working in law enforcement gave me an opportunity to see the real workings of the justice system and all the players in it."

Justice Kennedy said being a police officer gave her strength to achieve her goals of becoming a judge, and she said her life ambitions were realized because she first wore the uniform as a patrol officer.

"When others said I would fail, that I could not succeed in becoming a judge or even justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, the grit and determination I learned while being a police officer, made me work harder," Justice Kennedy said.

Justice Kennedy thanked the officers for their service to a difficult and often thankless job.

Justice Kennedy is serving her first term on the Supreme Court of Ohio. Prior to joining the Supreme Court, Justice Kennedy served on the Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division from 1999 to 2012. Justice Kennedy served as the administrative judge there from 2005 until December 2012. Justice Kennedy began her career in the justice system as a police officer in Hamilton, Ohio. She received her law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.