Will Ireland

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Will Ireland

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

The Ohio State University, 1987

Law

Capital University Law School, 2003

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Years of service

1984 - 2013

Personal

Religion

Protestant

Profession

Solo practitioner

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Will Ireland (Nonpartisan, Republican Party) ran for election for judge of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division in Ohio. Ireland lost in the general election on November 8, 2022. He advanced from the Republican primary on May 3, 2022.

Ireland completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Will Ireland served in the U.S. Army from 1984 to 2013. He earned a bachelor's degree from the Ohio State University in 1987 and a J.D. from Capital University Law School in 2003. His career experience includes working as a solo practitioner and defense counsel.

Elections

2022

See also: Municipal elections in Franklin County, Ohio (2022)

General election

General election for Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division

Bill Sperlazza defeated Will Ireland in the general election for Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Sperlazza (Nonpartisan)	59.6	202,686
		Will Ireland (Nonpartisan)	40.4	137,181

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 339,867
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division

Bill Sperlazza advanced from the Democratic primary for Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division on May 3, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Sperlazza	100.0	62,717

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 62,717
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division

Will Ireland advanced from the Republican primary for Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division on May 3, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Will Ireland	100.0	53,277

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 53,277
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2021

See also: Municipal elections in Franklin County, Ohio (2021)

General election

General election for Franklin County Municipal Court

Bill Hedrick defeated Will Ireland in the general election for Franklin County Municipal Court on November 2, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Hedrick (Nonpartisan)	60.4	105,704
		Will Ireland (Nonpartisan)	39.6	69,353

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 175,057
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Don Kline (Nonpartisan)

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Will Ireland completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ireland's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Attorney Will Ireland was raised in Columbus, Ohio. Will earned his Baccalaureate Degree (BA) as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Ohio State University and his Juris Doctorate (JD) at Capital University Law School, night division.

Franklin Co. Common Pleas Court hired Will as a Probation Officer (P.O.) in 1994. He worked for numerous Judges while earning his J.D. at night law school and commanding Air Assault Companies in 137th Assault Helicopter Battalion. In 2013 Will retired from the U.S. Army with 30 years’ service to our Nation as an Aviator, Paratrooper and Combat Veteran. Will entered the practice of law as a solo practitioner in 2004; He tried nearly 50 or more jury and bench trials in Ohio’s courts. He defends Clients charged with major felony and misdemeanor offenses: Aggravated Murder to Operating Vehicle Impaired (OVI) & other traffic violations. Will represented Defendants unable to pay for an attorney for 17 years by court appointment & pro bono services. Will also litigated in Ohio’s Civil, Probate, Domestic and Juvenile Courts. Will is experienced in the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio and throughout Ohio’s County, Municipal and Mayors’ Courts including Ohio’s Appellate District Courts.

Will is an owner and operator of a substantial farm; he understands the demands our businesses and food producers achieve in creating successful Communities. Will & Wife, Carolyn, have treasured their lives together for 41 years.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Experience: Attorney Will Ireland has twenty-eight years experience in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. In 1994 he was hired as a Probation Officer while working his way through law school at night. Will began his law practice in 2004, he represented people who were unable to pay for an attorney for seventeen years and continues to provide pro bono services. Will has practiced throughout Ohio's courts and nearly every venue and area of the law, he presently focuses on defending his clients. Will is the owner and operator of a substantial farm, he understands businesses and food producers in our communities.
• Fair: Will Ireland is running in an unaffiliated race, he is fair and impartial. As a Judicial Candidate owes no allegiance to any endorsement.
• Veteran: Will Ireland enlisted in the United States Army in 1984, he retired in 2013 with thirty years’ service as an Aviator, Paratrooper and Combat Veteran. Will earned a lifetime of experience through his military service which gives him wisdom and insight to the challenges we overcome.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Will Ireland is a Judicial Candidate interested in access for all to our public courts, and a fair, unbiased justice system.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2021

Will Ireland completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ireland's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am an experienced Attorney and a skilled Practitioner with twenty-seven (27) years of courtroom experience, including ten (10) years as a Probation Officer and seventeen (17) years in General Practice: Criminal Defense, Civil, Probate, Juvenile & Domestic throughout Ohio's Federal District, State Appellate, County Common Pleas, Municipal and Mayors' Courts. I am a U.S. Army Aviator, Combat Veteran, Retired Major with thirty (30) years of military service. I served throughout the Continental United States, Central America (CA), Balkans, Southwest and Southeast Asia; in numerous hostile environments and combat missions: CA, Southern Republic of Korea, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• The Golden Rule applies in every aspect of Life.
• As a Veteran I am uniquely qualified to serve as the Veteran Court Judge- the last remaining Veteran is retiring.
• I committed my Life to selfless service, to our community and to justice in our legal system.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The United States Constitution is the principal authority governing our Republican-Democracy.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I most admire President Abraham Lincoln because he realized the necessity to right a profound wrong for the betterment of humanity.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The fair and impartial delivery of justice and services while being respectful to the participants' and improving their quality of life when possible.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

As a U.S Army Combat Veteran I am uniquely qualified to serve as the Veterans' Court Judge, the last Veteran on Franklin County Municipal Court will retire in 2021. Additionally while serving the Franklin Common Pleas Court as a Probation Officer I studied our Judges and the traits that distinguished them as good Judges.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Judges must be respectful and be empathetic to litigants, staff and the public while being committed to selfless service.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Civil War Trilogy by Jeff Shaara. The Civil War was the defining moment in American History. It defined America as a people who prize Liberty, Freedom and Justice above all.

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

Equality, Empathy and Caring.

Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?

Judge David L. Johnson

Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?

I discovered while practicing throughout Ohio the trait of "empathy" singularly distinguishes truly outstanding judges.

Have you ever been rated by a Bar Association? If so, what was the rating?

4 Stars

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I have sufficient experience to be fair, impartial and decide controversies without biased or prejudice.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for a judge to have previous experience in government or politics?

It could be but is not a determinant factor.

What is your primary concern about today's legal system in your state?

Ensure that cases are decided based on the attendant facts, by the rule of law as governed by the U.S. Constitution.

What do you consider the greatest opportunity for the legal system in your state?

The greatest challenge for the legal system today and in the future is the timely resolution of cases.

Would you be interested in serving on a higher court in the future? If so, which court appeals to you?

Yes

Do you believe that Bar Association ratings are an accurate reflection of a judge’s ability?

I am a first time candidate for judge and thus could not be rated as a judge.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2022 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Heart of the Primaries The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division

Website

Facebook

Footnotes

Ohio courts

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Federal courts:

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio

State courts:

Ohio Supreme Court • Ohio District Courts of Appeal • Ohio Courts of Common Pleas • Ohio County Courts • Ohio Municipal Courts • Ohio Court of Claims

State resources:

Courts in Ohio • Ohio judicial elections • Judicial selection in Ohio