Lisa Forbes for 8th District Court of Appeals
Welcome again to our “Opposed Judicial Candidate Spotlight” section on getting to know our six endorsed judicial candidates running opposed on November's ballot.
This week, please welcome Lisa Forbes to the newsletter! Lisa is running for Ohio 8th District Court of Appeals this year.
What is the greatest problem facing the courts today?
The greatest issue the Court faces today is the deterioration of respect for the institution. If people do not trust the courts to dispense justice and to apply the law fairly in both criminal and civil matters, we risk a breakdown of orderly democratic society. The recent "Serial" podcast that focused on the Cuyahoga County Courts did nothing to help build community respect for the courts and decisions they render.
To restore/engender public trust and respect, it is critical that judges who serve on our courts are independent, beholden to no one. Above all else, the law, fairness and justice must guide each decision.
We must actively strive to live up to the ideal articulated by John Adams, that ours is a government of laws, not of men.
What changes would you pursue if elected to the bench?
If elected to the Court of Appeals, I would work to ensure that I and my fellow judges are actively involved in the community, including the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and other bar associations, and other philanthropic organizations. The purpose behind this community involvement would be to increase public confidence in the courts and Judges. Over the years, the Eighth District Court of Appeals has decreased the time from oral argument to decision, which is commendable. I would continue to work to ensure that decisions are rendered in an efficient and timely way. I plan to dedicate myself to writing opinions that address key legal issues efficiently and that offer a window into the analysis that led to a particular outcome, toward the goal of providing guidance to future litigants. Of course, fair and just application of the law would guide every decision.
Why should voters vote for you?
From day one, I will be able to do the job of judge and to do it well. My professional experience in the trial courts and courts of appeals, addressing a wide variety of legal issues, will give me the foundation to make the hard decisions and to write clear opinions. But, justice requires empathy and compassion, just as much as it demands intellectual integrity and fidelity to the law. I have the experience in our community to understand how the law impacts people, and vice versa, and that will guide me to be fair.
Be Sure to VOTE DOWN THE BALLOT for Your Entire Slate of
Opposed Democratic Judicial Candidates!
