Administrative Judge, Butler County Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations Division

Judge Sharon L. Kennedy was sworn in for her third term as Judge of the Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, in 2010.  First elected in November 1998, Kennedy has served as Administrative Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division since 2005.

As Administrative Judge, Kennedy has improved the court’s case management system to ensure the timely resolution of cases for families and children.  Working with state legislators she championed a “common sense” family law initiative to reduce multiple forum litigation for Butler County families.

Facing Butler County’s economic crisis head-on, Kennedy organized concerned elected officials in a county-wide Budget Work Group.  Seeing the need to bring private sector financial know-how to the government, she worked to create the Advisory Committee to the Budget Work Group.  Serving as the facilitator, Kennedy led discussions between county officials and private sector leaders to analyze county finances, study and implement cost saving measures, and present business driven fiscal policy to the County Commissioners.

Beginning her legal career as a solo practitioner with a small business of her own, Kennedy is no stranger to hard work and fiscal responsibility.  While in private practice she served the legal needs of families, juveniles, and the less fortunate.  As Special Counsel for Attorney General Betty D. Montgomery, Kennedy fought on behalf of Ohio’s taxpayers to collect monies due the State of Ohio.  As a part-time Magistrate in the Butler County Area Courts Kennedy presided over a wide-array of civil litigation and assisted law enforcement officers and private citizens seeking the issuance of criminal warrants for arrest.

Beginning her justice system career as a police officer, Kennedy was assigned to a rotating shift single officer road patrol unit working to protect and serve the citizens of City of Hamilton.  From the routine, to the heart pounding, to the heart breaking she has seen it all.  During her career at the Hamilton Police Department Kennedy also worked undercover operations, implemented crime prevention programs, and later, as a civil assistant, assisted in drafting police policy and procedure for the Accreditation Program.  

Throughout her career Kennedy has served on numerous boards, developed and facilitated programs to address the needs of young people, and worked with judges across the state.  As a dedicated jurist she has received numerous awards of recognition including, The Furtherance of Justice Award, in 2001; Above the Fold Award, in 2002; Judge of the Year, in 2006; and Excellence in Public Service, in June 2009.

Born in Hamilton County, Kennedy graduated from the University of Cincinnati, School of Social Work, in 1984 and the University of Cincinnati College of Law, in 1991.  Today,  Kennedy, 49, lives in Liberty Township, Ohio.