Ohio Third District Court of Appeals, John R. Willamowski

Marion Star, John R. Willamowski named Ohio Third District Court of Appeals presiding judge in 2024

John is from South Bend, Indiana. He has a bachelors degree in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from Ohio Northern University. John and his wife Mona have four children. 

Prior to becoming a judge, John worked in private practice law.

John R. Willamowski is currently serving as a Judge in the Ohio Court of Appeals Division 3. He was first elected in 2006 and is serving his 3rd term. He has been chosen to serve as the presiding judge of the Ohio Third District Court of Appeals in 2024. John also served 5 terms in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1997-2006, where he was the chair of the Judiciary Committee, Civil and Commercial Law Committee, Municipal Government and Urban Revitalization Committee, and Correctional Institution Inspection Committee. 

As of August 7, 2024, John R. Willamowski did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

As a Court of Appeals Judge, he ensures the law has been applied correctly in state criminal and civil cases, exercises the authority to correct procedural errors or misinterpretations of fact or law by lower appeals and trial courts, and hears.

In private practice, John  researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

- As a Court of Appeals Judge, he ensures the law has been applied correctly in state criminal and civil cases, exercises the authority to correct procedural errors or misinterpretations of fact or law by lower appeals and trial courts, and hears.
- In private practice, John  researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Serves as a member of the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal.

Acts as co-chair of the Legislative Committee of the Ohio Judicial Conference and sits on its Executive Committee.

Is a member of the Allen County and Ohio State Bar Associations.

- Serves as a member of the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal.
- Acts as co-chair of the Legislative Committee of the Ohio Judicial Conference and sits on its Executive Committee.
- Is a member of the Allen County and Ohio State Bar Associations.

Community Involvement

John R. Willamowski

- Each Ohio district has 4 to 12 Court of Appeals judges, depending on case volume.
- Any three judges from a district form a court to review appeals from lower courts, checking for legal errors. The 10th district (Franklin County) also reviews cases from the Ohio Court of Claims, which handles civil suits against the state.
- This court is the only appellate court before the Ohio Supreme Court and can issue orders like writs of habeas corpus, which forces a jail to justify holding someone, or writs of mandamus, which directs a government official to perform a mandatory duty.
- Judges serve a 6-year term, are elected in partisan elections, and earn a salary of $178,100.
- To qualify, judges must have been practicing law in Ohio for at least one year and have six years of experience as a lawyer or judge in any U.S. court. 