Articles - Sharon L. Kennedy

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon L. Kennedy was the featured speaker at the Howland Rotary Club meeting held on Monday, August 25, 2014, in Trumbull County.

In her keynote Justice Kennedy examined the parallels between the Rotarian code of ethics—known as the Four-Way Test—and the founding of America.

"The questions asked by the Four-Way Test are some of the same questions I believe our founding fathers were asking themselves when they took up the task of creating a new government," she said during her presentation.

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? Justice Kennedy demonstrated how American government fulfills these criteria, citing numerous examples, including the Bill of Rights.

"The limits placed on the government in the Bill of Rights are beneficial to all because they ensure that the majority of power remains in the hands of the people," she said.

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.