Articles - Sharon L. Kennedy

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon L. Kennedy addressed members of the Athens Rotary Club on Monday, August 4, 2014.

She spoke about the Rotary Four-Way Test—the code of ethics used by Rotarians world-wide to guide both personal and professional relationships. Originally developed by Herbert J. Taylor in 1932 to save a company from collapsing, the Four-Way Test asks the questions: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? And will it be beneficial to all concerned? These questions, Justice Kennedy pointed out, are reminiscent of the founding principles of America.

"When I think about Rotary and think about the Four-Way Test, I immediately think of the birth of this nation," Justice Kennedy said. "The principles described there are the same principles I believe the founding fathers were thinking of when they established our system of government."

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.