Articles - Sharon L. Kennedy

Justice Sharon L. Kennedy recently discussed the new configuration of the Ohio Supreme Court at the February 6 Ohio State Medical Association Alliance board meeting.

"A rare change occurred at the Ohio Supreme Court in 2012, as three new justices took the bench," Justice Kennedy said. "This marks the largest turnover since 1934."

Justices Kennedy and William O'Neill were both elected in November 2012. In December 2012, Justice Judith L. French was appointed to the Ohio Supreme Court to fill the retirement vacancy of Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton.

"Despite this transition, the role of a justice remains the same," Justice Kennedy said. "Justices of the Ohio Supreme Court take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America and the state of Ohio. As justices, we are required to faithfully, fairly, and impartially uphold the law as written. We do not re-write it or legislate from the bench."

The OSMA Alliance is a group of physician spouses dedicated to promoting goals of OSMA and the American Medical Association. OSMA Alliance has been active since 1940, and it has local alliances representing 18 counties in Ohio.

Justice Kennedy is serving her first term on the Supreme Court of Ohio. Prior to joining the Supreme Court, Justice Kennedy served at the Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division since 1999. 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.