Judge Monica Hawkins strives to establish and maintain the highest level of professionalism, while practicing these main principles: clear and present opportunity to be heard, fairness to all parties, reduce countless/needless continuances, and to give you YOUR day in Court.
Judge Monica Hawkins was elected Judge of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations, and Juvenile Branch in 2018, bringing over 23 years of public service experience working with families in our community.
On January 1, 2024, Judge Monica Hawkins assumed the role of Administrative Judge over the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch.
Since taking the bench, Judge Hawkins has presided over more than 16,000 cases involving juvenile delinquency, abuse, neglect and dependency, permanent court custody matters, divorces and dissolutions, custody, visitation, and child support cases.
Judge Hawkins graduated from The Ohio State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. She subsequently attended The University of Dayton and received a Master of Science Degree in Education. Fulfilling a life-long dream, Judge Hawkins graduated from Capital University Law School and received a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2000 and was licensed to practice law in Ohio the same year.
Dedicated to family law and children’s welfare, Judge Hawkins was a Child Welfare Caseworker with Franklin County Children Services working directly with the diverse population of Franklin County. She continues that dedication from the bench assisting families, children’s issues that plague our community including drug addiction, domestic violence, abuse, neglect and dependency, juvenile issues and providing a myriad of services and resources to families in crisis.
As a Court Liaison for Franklin County Children Services, Judge Hawkins served as a catalyst to improve communications and relationships between the Agency, the Court, the Prosecutor’s Office, and court staff.
Prior to joining the bench, Judge Hawkins worked as a clerk for a Domestic Relations attorney, was a drug and alcohol counselor for Children’s Hospital and in the Federal Public Defender’s Office, as an Investigator. It was there, while servicing death row inmates and their families, that Judge Hawkins had an epiphany and realized the epidemic and titled “from the cradle to the grave,” that most inmates were introduced into the court involvement as Abused, Neglected, or Dependent children. She also worked for City Attorney Zach Klein as an attorney, further diversifying her skill and experience.
As a senior trial attorney, Judge Hawkins represented Franklin County Children Services in the broad variety of cases she now presides over as Judge. Among the cases most significant to her, were and remain, the highly sensitive termination of parental right cases. Judge Hawkins has overseen hundreds of cases, and also prepared pleadings and argued before the 10th District Court of Appeals in Franklin County.
Judge Hawkins is currently a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Ohio Judicial Conference, Ohio Association of Domestic Relations Judges, The Ohio Association of Juvenile Court Judges, Association of Family & Conciliation Courts, National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges, Women Lawyers of Franklin County, John Mercer Langston Bar Association, Franklin County Democratic Party’s Lawyer Club, Franklin County Democratic Party Women’s Club, and the NAACP. She also serves on numerous panels, community discussions, participates in Moot Court competitions, speaks at various schools, forums, and is actively engaged in our community. Judge Hawkins is a long-time member of Rhema Christian Center.
Judge Hawkins oversees the Juvenile Intervention Center Community Garden, the A/N/D Consortium. She serves on the Community Advisory Board for My Brother’s Keeper Violence Prevention, JJCPI/JDAI Executive Committee, the JDAI DSI/Warrant Committee, the Criminal Justice, and Community Correction Planning Board. Judge Hawkins is a board member on the Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation Board of Directors. She also serves as executive member on Look Ma’ No Hands Organization Board. Judge Hawkins is a past Board President and long-time board member on Gentry Landings Condominium Association, she also was a Big Sister with Big Brother/Big Sister Organization and Volunteer for Franklin County Children Services Malika Program. Judge Hawkins is committed to the welfare of our community, and she dedicates time to ensure safety and well-being.
Most recently The Supreme Court of Ohio appointed Judge Hawkins to the Commission on the Rules of Superintendence for Ohio Courts, to serve as a Domestic Relations Judge member for a partial term ending December 31, 2024.
Most recently The Supreme Court of Ohio appointed Judge Hawkins to the Commission on the Rules of Superintendence for Ohio Courts, to serve as a Domestic Relations Judge member for a partial term ending December 31, 2024.
Judge Hawkins is also committed to diversity. During Black History Month, she involved the entire staff in celebration by sharing a daily email on the accomplishments of individuals throughout Black history who have attributed to the infrastructure, development, and advancement in this Country. This event concluded with an all-staff Black History Mixer catered by a Black caterer, and it was a tremendous success. She plans to continue this celebration and encourages an expansion of celebration of all our populations.
Judge Monica Hawkins is the proud mother of Dionte’ J. Johnson, former Ohio State University football captain, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He and his wife, Jessica, are the parents of Judge Hawkins’ beautiful grandchildren.