Meet Judge John J. Russo
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge John J. Russo, who has presided over thousands of complex civil and serious criminal cases since being elected to the Court in 2004, is widely regarded as one of Ohio’s most knowledgeable, effective, and experienced jurists. During his time on the bench his impartiality, exemplary judicial temperament, adherence to the highest ethical standards, and unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and the Constitution have earned the respect and admiration of his fellow judges, the legal community, and the public.
Judge Russo’s standing among his colleagues is reflected in the fact that they unanimously elected him to lead the Court as its Administrative and Presiding Judge from 2014 through 2019. In that important role he assumed responsibility for coordinating policy as well as overseeing the administration of the Court and the dockets of its 34 General Division Judges. Following six highly successful years in that position, he was selected to lead the innovative Veterans Treatment Court which provides services that enable troubled veterans entangled in the criminal justice system to live productive lives.
In 2023 legal professionals expressed their trust and confidence in Judge Russo by electing him president of the 4,700-member Cuyahoga County Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA), the first sitting jurist to hold the post. During his year in office, he focused on encouraging legal and business professionals to become “Fit to Practice,” by improving their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing and worked hard to highlight the many ways CMBA members enhance the quality of life in the community.
Judge Russo’s talent, insight, and leadership skills have also been recognized outside Cuyahoga County. In 2024 he began serving a two-year term as Chair of the Ohio Judicial Conference (OJC) which is comprised of the state’s 722 judicial officeholders. As Chair Judge Russo will lead the OJC’s efforts to provide insight into legislation that impacts the courts, enhance the quality and professionalism of the judicial system, preserve judicial independence, and promote public confidence in the law.
Before being named Chair of the OJC, Judge Russo served as the organization’s First Vice-Chair, Co-Chair of its Court Administration Committee, and Chair of the Judicial Education Committee. “The voices of judges should be taken into consideration when it comes to policy and progress,” Judge Russo upon taking office. “We have to be collaborative with legislative issues that affect the justice system and how judges manage their dockets and cases.
Judge Russo has also chaired or participated in numerous boards and committees during his distinguished career. He was appointed to the Ohio Supreme Court’s (OSC) Public Health, Death Penalty and Bail Reform task forces by former Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, was appointed to and chaired the OSC’s Lawyers Fund for Client Protection, and from 2016 to 2019 served as president of the National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers (NAPCO) a national organization committed to enhancing the effective administration of justice, strengthening leadership, and promoting public accountability. He now chairs NAPCO’s Board of Directors.
A native and lifelong resident of Lakewood, Ohio, Judge Russo is one of nine children who learned the value of hard work and giving back to the community from his parents and siblings. After graduating from St. Edward High School, he considered three career options: lawyer, teacher or priest. The third was eliminated when he met and fell in love with his spouse, Karen. He ultimately chose to pursue a legal career. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from John Carroll University, he attended Cleveland State University College of Law and received his Juris Doctorate in 1992.
Following law school, he established a successful private practice as a civil and criminal litigator he decided to run for the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in 2004. He won and was reelected in 2010 and 2016. “After a good career as an attorney, I still felt a spiritual calling to serve people, and being a judge was a way I could do that,” Judge Russo explained when asked why he decided to enter politics.
Judge Russo is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Bar Association, Westshore Bar Association, and Cleveland Marshall Law Alumni Association. He is a Past President, Legal Eagles St. Edward High School Community and was inducted into the CSU School of Law Hall of Fame in 2018.
He and his spouse Karen have been married for more than 30 years and have three children, JJ, Jacob, and Abigail.