Jennifer earned a bachelor's degree in history from Wheeling Jesuit College and a law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law.

Jennifer worked as a court administrator and magistrate at the Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court prior to her appointment. She held various roles at the Montgomery County Juvenile Court from 1997 to 2015, including chief deputy clerk.

Jennifer A. Petrella is a county common pleas judge in Montgomery County. She was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine in 2024. 

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As a part-time law clerk, assisted the Director of Court Services in managing over 40 staff members and 2 supervisors.

Serves in the Domestic Relations Court, which handles cases involving divorce, child custody, and child support.

As a judge of the Domestic Relations Court, handles cases involving divorce, child custody, and child support.

Assisted in Child Protection Mediation, Community Courts, and Drug Court.

- As a part-time law clerk, assisted the Director of Court Services in managing over 40 staff members and 2 supervisors.
- As a judge of the Domestic Relations Court, handles cases involving divorce, child custody, and child support.
- Assisted in Child Protection Mediation, Community Courts, and Drug Court.

Legal Experience

Supports technological advancements in judicial administration, including eFiling and online development.

Believes in effective judicial administration by managing the court’s budget, security, payroll, communications, grants, public relations, and human resources.

- Supports technological advancements in judicial administration, including eFiling and online development.
- Believes in effective judicial administration by managing the court’s budget, security, payroll, communications, grants, public relations, and human resources.

Judicial Administration

As of August 23, 2024, Jennifer A. Petrella’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Served as a volunteer mediator for the City of Dayton.

Served as a member of the Coordinated Community Response to Domestic Violence, and previously held the position of co-chair.

Served as treasurer of Miami Valley Crime Stoppers, a non-profit organization that allows people to anonymously report criminal activity.

Served as a trustee for the Juvenile Court Foundation, which supports the juvenile court system through fundraising and community outreach.

Trained as a Bridges Out of Poverty trainer, which focuses on educating communities about the challenges and barriers faced by individuals living in poverty.

- Served as a volunteer mediator for the City of Dayton.
- Served as a member of the Coordinated Community Response to Domestic Violence, and previously held the position of co-chair.
- Served as treasurer of Miami Valley Crime Stoppers, a non-profit organization that allows people to anonymously report criminal activity.
- Served as a trustee for the Juvenile Court Foundation, which supports the juvenile court system through fundraising and community outreach.
- Trained as a Bridges Out of Poverty trainer, which focuses on educating communities about the challenges and barriers faced by individuals living in poverty.

Community Involvement

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Jennifer A. Petrella

As of September 4, 2024, Jennifer A. Petrella’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jennifer A. Petrella currently serves as a Judge at the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. She previously worked as a Court Administrator and Magistrate at the Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court from 2015 to the present day and held various roles at the Montgomery County Juvenile Court from 1997 to 2015, including Chief Deputy Clerk.

Jennifer A. Petrella was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine and took the bench as a Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Judge on June 3, 2024. She previously won the primary with over 69% of the vote.

Member of the Ohio State Bar Association.

Has experience as an administrator supervising 5 managers and 6 staff.

Served as Chief Deputy Clerk for 14 years.

Served on the Montgomery County Juvenile Court from 1997 to 2015.

Supports the Ohio Association of Court Administrators.

As a member of the Juvenile Court Clerks Committee, contributed to improving judicial administration by establishing best practices and time guidelines for case management.

Served as a court administrator and magistrate.

Believes working in the court system is an honor as it helps individuals during "some of the most difficult times in their lives."

Serves as a judge in the Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court since 2015.

Promises to provide justice to the best of his abilities.

Endorsed by the Dayton Firefighters, IAFF Local 136.

Believes in community involvement, as demonstrated by his role as Chief of Police in Vandalia, where he engaged with local residents and businesses to build trust and foster positive relationships.

Believes in giving back to the community through involvement in local organizations and events.

Served as a board member for Overlook Mutual Homes, Inc.

Lists involvement in the following organizations: 
- 2020 Census Complete Count Committee
- American Legion Auxiliary
- Boy Scouts of America
- Chamber of Commerce
- City of Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Board
- Fort Wayne Sister Cities
- Fort Wayne Urban Enterprise Association
- Fort Wayne Youth Services
- Indiana Association of Cities and Towns
- Indiana League of Municipalities
- Kiwanis Club
- Leadership Fort Wayne
- National League of Cities
- Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
- Rotary Club
- United Way of Allen County

- The Court of Common Pleas handles criminal felony cases and civil cases where more than $5,000 is at stake.
- The courts are divided into four divisions: general, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile. Each specializes in different types of cases, such as civil and criminal trials, divorces and child custody matters, inheritances and adoptions, and juvenile offenses.
- Ohio has a court of common pleas in each of its 88 counties.
- Common pleas judges are elected to six-year terms in nonpartisan elections.
- Common pleas judges earn $163,792 annually.