Kathleen Rodenberg

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Kathleen M. Rodenberg

Clermont County Court of Common Pleas

Tenure

Present officeholder

Term ends

2023

Report an officeholder change

Education

Bachelor's

University of Cincinnati, 1979

Law

University of Cincinnati, 1982

Kathleen M. Rodenberg is the Domestic Relations Division judge on the Clermont County Court of Common Pleas in Batavia, Ohio. She was re-elected to a full six-year term on November 8, 2016.

Biography

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Rodenberg received her undergraduate degree in 1979 and her J.D. in 1982 from the University of Cincinnati. Before her election to the court, Rodenberg served as a magistrate for both the Clermont County Domestic Relations Court and the Clermont County Municipal Court. She also worked in private practice in both Batavia and Cincinnati, Ohio.

Elections

2016

See also: Ohio local trial court judicial elections, 2016

Ohio held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. A primary election took place on March 15, 2016. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 16, 2015.

General election

Incumbent Kathleen Rodenberg ran unopposed in the general election.

Clermont County Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations Division), General Election, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Kathleen Rodenberg Incumbent (unopposed)	100.00%	64,199
Total Votes		64,199
Source: Clermont County, Ohio, "Unofficial Election Results: November 8, 2016," accessed November 9, 2016

Primary election

Incumbent Kathleen Rodenberg ran unopposed in the Clermont County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division Republican primary election.

Clermont County Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations Division), Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Kathleen Rodenberg Incumbent (unopposed)	100.00%	28,719
Total Votes		28,719
Source: Clermont County, Ohio, "Primary Election," March 15, 2016

Selection method

See also: Nonpartisan election of judges

The 391 judges of the Ohio Courts of Common Pleas are all selected in an identical manner. Qualified individuals wishing to join the bench must participate in partisan primary elections followed by nonpartisan general elections.

The chief judges of the Ohio Courts of Common Pleas are chosen by peer vote and serve for one year.

Qualifications
To serve on an appellate or general jurisdiction court, a judge must be:

• a district or county resident (for court of appeals and common pleas judges);
• at least six years practiced in law; and
• under the age of 70.

Under the Ohio Constitution, a judge who reaches 70 years of age may be assigned by the chief justice to active duty, receiving payment on a per-day basis in addition to whatever retirement benefits he or she is entitled to.

2010

See also: Ohio Court of Common Pleas judicial elections, 2010 (A-F)

Rodenberg was elected to the Clermont County Domestic Relations Court after running unopposed.

Approach to the law

Responses to Clermont County Republican Party Screening Committee, 2015

Rodenberg responded to questions from the Clermont County Republican Party Screening Committee when she asked for the party's endorsement for her 2016 re-election bid. The selected answers below outline some of her judicial philosophy. (The committee's questions have been placed in bold.) Rodenberg's full responses can be read here.

“	1. Do you agree with the Clermont County Republican Party’s “Principles and Values Statement” (available at ClermontGOP.com)? Is there anything in our Principles and Values Statement with which you disagree? As a judge, I must comply with the Ohio Judicial Conduct Rules. One of those rules discourages judges from taking public stands on issues that are likely to be brought before the court. In your Principles and Values Statements, you define a traditional marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Although I agree that your definition is the traditional definition, the US Supreme Court has mandated that all states recognize same sex marriages as legal marriages. If a same sex couple living in Clermont County seeks a divorce, they do so through the court in which I sit as a judge. Any statements I make about same sex marriage could be grounds for disqualifying me from such cases. If I am disqualified, the proceedings would be delayed. The Supreme Court would have to appoint a visiting judge at an additional expense. Therefore, I decline to state whether I personally agree or disagree that marriage is limited to a union between a man and a woman. Otherwise, however, I agree with the Principles and Values Statements. 2. In what ways do you consider yourself to be a conservative? I strongly believe in personal responsibility and individual freedom. ... 4. What have you done that demonstrates your commitment to conservative values? I have actively participated in community agencies that provide support without relying on government funding, such as CASA for Clermont Kids. I have actively campaigned on behalf of conservative candidates. My husband and I have also given financial support to conservative candidates. As a judge, I give the parties who appear before me every opportunity to work out their issues by agreement. I believe that parents are in the best position to determine what will work for their children. Since I took over as judge, I have instituted several programs at no cost to the tax payers. These programs assist litigants in exploring their options. The programs allow the parties to meet informally, discuss their options, and work towards an agreement. I have made staff changes and redistributed the workload so that all employees are working to their full capacity. Our oldest son followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the US Marines. I supported his decision to dedicate five years of his life to defend our country. ... 7. Why are you running for this office? I am running for re-election as the Domestic Relations Court Judge because I know I make a positive difference for the families going through a divorce in Clermont County. ... 15. What is the proper role of government? Government should ensure the safety of its citizens and provide a structure in which people can live, work, and flourish. 16. Where do our rights come from? All of our rights ultimately come from our creator. Our rights and responsibilities come from our ability to think and reason. 17. Do you think government regulations have become too onerous? If so, how? Government regulations can become onerous when they are used to control private actions that have no impact on the common good. For example, the federal tax code is impossible to understand, even with a CPA. The Affordable Care Act is likewise unworkable. 18. What is your interpretation of the 2nd Amendment? The Second Amendment allows citizens to keep and bear arms without onerous government regulation, interference, or restriction. ... 19. In what ways is the court able to protect citizens’ property rights? If a citizen is improperly losing his/her property he/she can pursue his/her rights through a law suit. 20.What existing laws or regulations provide the most challenges for our judges and why? My jurisdiction is limited to divorce and civil domestic violence. Generally, I have found that poorly worded legislation, at times hastily passed to address the complaint of a limited group of constituents, can present serious challenges and unintended consequences. 21. Please rate your judicial philosophy regarding the U.S. Constitution on a scale of 1-10 with “living/evolving document” being 1 and “strict constructionist” being a 10: Ten 22. What is justice? In my court, justice means that both sides had the opportunity to present all relevant evidence and argument and that the decision was based solely on the facts as applied to the law. It also means that, although the parties may not be happy with the decision, they understand it and feel they were heard. 23. In what ways can judges protect the rights of the individual while upholding laws enacted to protect the common good of the population? My decisions affect individuals, not the common good of the population. 24. How should emotion affect/not affect a judge’s ruling on a case? Emotion should not affect a judge’s ruling on a case.	”
—Kathleen Rodenberg (November 5, 2015)

2012 interview

Tanya Roemerman, "Judge Rodenberg Domestic Court," December 5, 2012

Awards and associations

• 2011: OAM Judicial Award, Ohio Association of Magistrates

See also

• Clermont County, Ohio
• Ohio local trial court judicial elections, 2016
• Ohio Courts of Common Pleas
• Judicial selection in Ohio

External links

• Clermont County, Ohio, Domestic Relations Court
• Clermont County, Ohio Domestic Relations Court: Judge Kathleen M. Rodenberg Biography