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Ballotpedia, Robert G. Montgomery (Ohio)

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Robert is from McComb, Ohio. He earned his bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University and his law degree from Capital University Law School. He lives with his wife, Kim, and their 2 children in Blue Rock.

Robert currently works as a managing member of Hydro Carbon Investment Group and as the owner of Montgomery Farms. He previously worked as an attorney at Robert G. Montgomery Law Offices and founded a wireless cable company, the president of Midwest Satellite & Cable, and as an assistant solicitor for Village of Hartford Solicitor's Office.

Robert G. Montgomery previously served as a Court of Common Pleas Judge in Franklin County for 2 terms from 2011 to 2021. He ran for reelection in 2020, but did not win. He also served as Franklin County Recorder from 2000 to 2010.

Candidate website

As Probate Judge, implemented a plan for split-shift remote work to keep the Probate Court open and serving the public while ensuring safety measures were in place.

As Probate Judge, implemented a plan for split-shift remote work to keep the Probate Court open and ensuring safety during the pandemic

As a Judge, created the Limited Guardianship for Mental Health Care Purposes and the Outpatient Commitment Court to support those receiving mental health treatment.

- As Probate Judge, implemented a plan for split-shift remote work to keep the Probate Court open and ensuring safety during the pandemic
- As a Judge, created the Limited Guardianship for Mental Health Care Purposes and the Outpatient Commitment Court to support those receiving mental health treatment.

Judicial Administration

Believes in "judicial restraint" and "interpreting the law not making the law."

Believes an important quality for a judge is "judicial restraint." 

Said, "My judicial philosophy revolves around interpreting the law not making the law."

- Believes an important quality for a judge is "judicial restraint." 
- Said, "My judicial philosophy revolves around interpreting the law not making the law."

Judicial Philosophy

As Probate Judge, issued 82,698 marriage licenses and presided over 168,971 individual cases.

- As Probate Judge, issued 82,698 marriage licenses and presided over 168,971 individual cases.

Legal Experience

As of August 7, 2024, Robert G. Montgomery’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Robert G. Montgomery

Robert G. Montgomery grew up in McComb, Ohio, and briefly lived in Houston during middle school. He graduated from McComb High School in 1984 and received his Bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University in 1989. He has been married to his wife Kim since August 30, 1997, and they have two sons, Jacob and Jesse.

Robert G. Montgomery served as the Franklin County Probate Judge from January 2010 to December 2021. He previously worked as the County Recorder and had a private law practice. He also founded a wireless cable company and operated a title company.

Robert G. Montgomery began his public service in 1998 after winning election to the Republican State Central Committee for the Ohio 3rd Senate District. He won his first countywide race as Recorder in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004 and 2008. He served as Franklin County Probate Judge from January 2010 to December 2021.

Believes appellate courts should review trial court procedures and decisions to ensure fairness and proper law application.

As a judge, created the first Court Legal Resource Center, providing free legal assistance for probate matters.

As a judge, created the first public guardian in Ohio, the Franklin County Guardianship Services Board, which became a model program for other counties in Ohio.

As a judge, created the first Limited Guardianship for Mental Health Care Purposes.

As a judge, created the first Outpatient Commitment Court to support people receiving mental health treatment in the community.

As a judge, developed a business continuity plan to keep the Probate Court open during the pandemic.

As Probate Judge, managed 8 full-time magistrates, 2 part-time job sharing magistrates, 4 special magistrates, and approximately 50 probate clerks.

Believes having judicial experience is important.

Believes serving as a judge in the 5th District Court of Appeals is crucial for upholding state laws.

Believes in a conservative judicial philosophy of "interpreting the law not making it."

Believes that their extensive judicial experience makes them uniquely qualified to serve as a judge on Ohio's 5th District Court of Appeals.

As a judge, received multiple awards for innovative judicial solutions, including the Judicial Excellence Award in 2019 and the Public Elected Official of the Year award in 2016.

Believes his 10 years as a Common Pleas Judge qualifies him to review lower court judges as an Appellate Court Judge.

As a judge, initiated a nationally recognized guardianship program that has been adopted as a model by other judges in Ohio.

As a judge, received the Judicial Excellence Award in 2019 and the Charleta Tavares Champion Award in 2016 for creating the first Outpatient Commitment Court program in Franklin County.

Believes private sector business experience is important for judicial candidates.

Believes in having a diverse background that includes judicial, administrative, and private sector business experience.

Said, "As the only candidate in this race with judicial experience, I will bring to the court a seasoned perspective on the legal processes."

Believes judicial officers should "treat others how they would want to be treated" and conduct themselves to "reflect positively on the judicial process."

Values community involvement and has a deep appreciation for the private sector and its challenges.

As a business owner, grew the company to 12 offices in 5 states and the Virgin Islands, employing 230 people and averaging $5- $8 million in annual gross sales.

- 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. 

Criminal Justice

Ohio

Court of Appeals Judge

As Probate Judge, managed about 14 magistrates, and approximately 50 probate clerks.