Judge Natasha R. Kennedy has been appointed by the Supreme Court of Ohio to serve as Vice-Chair of the Commission on the Rules of Superintendence for Ohio Courts.
The Commission assists the Supreme Court in reviewing and recommending rules for Ohio courts.
It considers proposed rules and amendments, and submits recommendations for adoption to the Court.
The body is made up of 20 members appointed by the Supreme Court and operates under the authority of Article IV, Section 5(A) of the Ohio Constitution, which gives the Court general superintendence over all state courts.
Judge Kennedy was originally appointed to the Commission by Justice Patrick F. Fischer for a term beginning January 1, 2024.
She has now been elevated to Vice-Chair by Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy, with her Vice-Chair term set to commence January 1, 2026, and run through December 31, 2027.
Judge Kennedy serves as a Common Pleas Court judge with juvenile jurisdiction for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2028.
She was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to the Logan County Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division on July 16, 2021, and was then elected to the position in 2022.
Her current term expires January 1, 2029.
On her appointment, Judge Kennedy said:
“It does mean more work and more meetings. It also means that I have been entrusted to work collaboratively with a small group of other judicial officers and individuals in the justice system from around Ohio to effectuate meaningful change in the rules of court. We review the Rules of Superintendence for all Ohio courts based upon the needs of the justice system at the time and make recommendations to the Ohio Supreme Court for adoption. As you know, the law is always changing, and so it is important to ensure that the rules of superintendence for all Ohio courts are staying consistent with those changes and the modernization of the world we live in. A few examples of what the Ohio Rules of Superintendence encompass are Court Security Standards, Court Interpreter Standards, Guardian ad Litem Standards, and more. I am honored to be called to serve in this capacity.”
