Questionnaire Responses

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JUDGE OF COMMON PLEAS COURT (GENERAL)

Candidate Name as it appears on the ballot:

Occupation:

Website (if applicable):

Education:

Work Experience:

Judicial Experience (courts and years):

What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

Prosecutor/Attorney

Ron Graham

Youngstown State University B.A. 1984; Cleveland State University, J.D. 1987

Lake County Sheriff Prosecutor 2004-present;

Leroy Township Solicitor 2016-present;

Eastlake Port Authority legal counsel 2022-present;

Acting Judge Mentor Municipal Court 2021- present;

Acting Judge Painesville Municipal Court 1997-2004;

Madison Township Solicitor 2001-2014;

Mentor City Prosecutor 1991-2003

Assistant Lake County Prosecutor Felony Division 1987-1991

Painesville City Council 1988-1996Council 1988-1996

Acting Judge Painesville Municipal Court 1997-2004;

Acting Judge Mentor Municipal Court 2020-present

My career as career prosecutor has allowed me to handle hundreds of criminal cases. I have tried 138 Jury Trials, had over 50 cases before the court of appeals and argued twice before the Ohio Supreme Court. My extensive knowledge of criminal law makes well suited to handle the cases that comes before the common pleas court.

I took my oath as an attorney-at-law. In taking that oath, I promised to support our constitution and faithfully follow the law. As a prosecutor, I work in the trenches of our criminal justice system and work closely with victims and the police to make sure justice prevails. I would be honored to serve my community as a judge and preserving a fair and impartial judicial system.

Jeff Ruple

Common Pleas Judge, Lake County, Ohio

Youngstown State University B.A. 1984; Cleveland State University, J.D. 1987

September 2014-2023, Partner/Founder Cardenas Ruple & Kurt, LLC fka Deacon, Cardenas & Ruple, LLC;

Primarily litigation oriented firm incuding toxic tort litigation, premises liability, product liability, litigate business disputes, including contractual, insurance coverage, intellectual property, landlord/tenant, and complex commercial disputes. Also represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases;

June 2002 – Sept. 2014, Partner, Buckley King LPA, Cleveland, Ohio;

Extensive experience in insurance coverage, insurance agent errors and omissions, product liability, premises liability, environmental, toxic tort, commercial and complex civil litigation;

January 2001-June 2002, Baughman & Associates Co., L.P.A., Cleveland, Ohio;

Associate and national defense counsel
for major U.S. Corporation involving defense of complex and mass tort litigation, primarily in area of product liability. Lead counsel in Ohio, Chicago, Illinois and Northern Michigan with direct supervision of local counsel in litigation activities. Also gained experience in admiralty cases;

August 1999-January 2001, Associate, Murphy & Lyons, P.S.C., Covington, Kentucky;

Associate for commercial/business
litigation firm. Experience also included product liability and entertainment law;

November 1997-August 1999, Associate,
Falke & Dunphe, LLC, Dayton, Ohio;

Associate for general practice firm. Experience in civil litigation, medical malpractice, criminal, civil rights, employment and personal injury law;

1989-1994, PREP Asphalt & Sealcoating,
Cleveland, Ohio;

Owned and operated local seasonal business with 350 clients, $80,000 in sales, 45 local and national suppliers, and managed up to twelve employees.

Recruited, organized and trained sales team, promoted advertising campaign through direct mail, newspaper and magazine advertisements. Maintained truck fleet and machinery and supervised and coordinated work crews;

April 2023-Present, Lake County Common Pleas Judge;

As a Lake County Common Pleas Judge, I have presided over 9 felony jury trials and sentenced approximately 200 defendants for crimes including murder, kidnapping, gross sexual imposition, burglary, robbery, drug-related offenses, felonious assault and countless other felonies. I also have an active civil docket where I become actively involved in the resolution of those civil cases in an attempt to bring those disputes to an economical and timely conclusion.

Judge Lake County Court of Common Pleas (April 2023-Present)

I believe that a good judge must first be a good listener. It is essential to listen to the lawyers who present their cases because they know their clients and issues intimately. By listening, judges ensure that everyone feels heard, fostering trust and confidence in the judicial system. With over 27 years of legal experience across more than 30 Ohio Common Pleas Courts, multiple federal courts, and various state courts, I have witnessed firsthand the value of a judge who listens and understands that, to each litigant or defendant, their case is the most important one that day.

This extensive experience has been invaluable as I have presided over several felony trials and sentenced over 200 defendants charged with felonies in the past year and a half. My legal background spans a broad range of civil matters, including personal injury, construction, commercial litigation, contract disputes, landlord/tenant issues, intellectual property, insurance disputes, toxic torts, product liability, wrongful death, and medical malpractice, in addition to my criminal law experience.

In the Lake County community, I have
served not only on the Kirtland City
Council, where my peers elected me
as President, but also on various nonprofit boards, as listed on this site. My
commitment to public service and legal
expertise positions me to ensure that
every voice is heard and every case is
treated with the respect it deserves.

I have lived in Lake County for nearly my entire life, with deep roots and strong family ties to the community. Serving the people of Lake County in such an important role is a privilege I
hold dearly, and I work diligently every day to ensure that I am doing my very best to serve our community. I believe my temperament and approach are well-suited to the responsibilities of the court, particularly in criminal cases. I am committed to exploring every available opportunity through community resources to rehabilitate those struggling with mental health and addiction, helping them to stop committing crimes and become productive members of society.

However, when a defendant cannot be rehabilitated despite the efforts of the Court, the probation department, and community resources, I take my duty to protect the public seriously by issuing sentences that are appropriate to the criminal conduct. My extensive experience in civil cases is also a significant asset to the Court, having briefed and argued hundreds of motions, tried cases, and participated in dozens of mediations throughout my career. These skills have been invaluable in assisting litigants with resolving their cases through settlement conferences, motion practice, and trial.