In The News
CMLAA Alumni of the Year recipient Judge John J. Russo ’92 comes from a large, close-knit family where he was one of nine children. Having learned the importance of hard work, giving back family from their parents, all nine siblings went on to unique career paths, with John choosing a career in law. After 12 years in private practice as a civil and criminal litigator, he was elected to the Court of Common Pleas Bench in 2005. Since 2013, he has been Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Court, having been unanimously elected by his colleagues each year to serve in that capacity.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge John J. Russo has been sworn-in for a two-year term, beginning October 1, as Chair of the Ohio Judicial Conference (OJC). The OJC is a statutory agency within the judicial branch of Ohio government, charged with the responsibility to engage all of the state’s 722 judges. Judge Russo will help lead the work of committees that are active in areas of judicial ethics, public confidence, and community outreach.
Our President Judge John J. Russo has worked passionately over the past months to help you to continue to be Fit to Practice. In his final message as President, Judge Russo expresses his gratitude and expresses why you have helped him to grow in leadership.
Judge John J. Russo looks back on his six years as Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. He served as AJ/PJ from January 2014 to December 2019.