Judge James Brown

After 32 years in private practice, James W. Brown saw an opportunity to run for judge, took that opportunity and ran a successful campaign, winning and taking the bench on December 1, 2014. 

It was not until Judge Brown took the bench that he began to realize his full potential and understood the power of his position to effectuate change and help others. In addition to his work on the bench, Judge Brown now works diligently to address the issues of domestic violence and abuse.   

Since taking the bench, the Judge has been appointed to and/or volunteered to serve on various committees. 

• Since 2017, Judge Brown has served by appointment of then Chief Justice Maureen O’Conner to the Supreme Court of Ohio Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence, now serving as Chairman. 

• Sits on the Board of Directors of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges as well as on the Family Court Judges Family Violence and Domestic Relations Advisory Committee. 

• Judicial Engagement Network Fellowship Program (JEN) based in New York City.  Selected to be a fellow in the 1st class of the Fellowship Program.  The nationally recognized program allows judges to enhance their skills as judicial leaders within the court and in their communities around domestic violence and sexual assault and also allowing them to serve as mentors to new judges. 

• By invitation of President Biden, attended at the White House the Ceremony celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women’s Act. 

•  President elect on the Board of the Ohio Association of Domestic Relations Judges (OADRJ).  

• Member of the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Judicial Conference 

• Former member to the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Judicial College. 

• A participant in the Blueprint For Safety a coordinated response among justice and community-based agencies that handle domestic violence cases. 

• A participant in Firearm Technical Assistance Project (FTAP) which is a federal grant-assisted program with a goal to help enforce domestic violence-related gun laws. 

• Presentations at local, statewide and national judicial conferences and seminars. 

Judge Brown was also 2021 Recipient of the George E. Tyack Award for Judicial Excellence for Outstanding Jurisprudence and Service presented by the Central Ohio Association for Justice 

It is the issue of domestic violence that has allowed Judge Brown to take a leadership role locally, statewide and nationally.  Upon taking the bench, Judge Brown recognized the issue and the need that was not being met, services for the victims of domestic violence. Judge Brown further recognized that the need could be better addressed with the creation of a center to specifically handle the cases requiring Civil Protection Orders. (Orders between family members and other related individuals)