---
title: "Christen Finley | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christen-finley"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Christen Finley

Lawrence Co. Common Pleas Court · Common Pleas Judge

## Profile

- Court: Lawrence Co. Common Pleas Court
- State: Ohio
- Role: Common Pleas Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-27

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote hearing exhibits

Scope: statewide

Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance tells courts to include instructions for submitting exhibits or notifying the court of witnesses when remote-hearing information is sent to participants.

Evidence excerpt: Instructions for submitting exhibits or notifying the court of witnesses.

[Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote hearing ground rules

Scope: statewide

Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance recommends advance ground rules for documents, exhibits, screen sharing, and pre-marking exhibits for remote hearings.

Evidence excerpt: Documents: Share any documents/exhibits that will be reviewed in advance. Use the share screen function while documents are being discussed during the hearing. Request that the documents are pre-marked for exhibit purposes.

[Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote recording

Scope: statewide

Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance states that litigants, attorneys, and the public should be instructed not to record the hearing.

Evidence excerpt: The court should instruct the litigants, attorneys, and the public to not record the hearing.

[Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.ohiojudges.org/directory/ojc-directory/)
- [Official roster](https://www.ohiojudges.org/directory/ojc-directory/)
- [Ohio Judicial Conference Directory official judicial roster](https://www.ohiojudges.org/directory/ojc-directory/)
- [Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- The first female judge elected to the Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas General Division, serving since 2018, and is known for her work in community corrections, the Re‐Entry Court, and expanding court services
- In 2018, Judge Finley was chosen as the first woman judge in the Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas General Division
- Judge Finley is a native of Burlington, Ohio, graduating from Chesapeake High School in 1999

### Education

- Bachelor’s degree in business administration (Economics) from Marshall University in 2002, followed by her Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School in 2005.

### Additional information

- Before joining the bench, she practiced law in southern Ohio and became a certified court mediator and guardian ad litem
- She also serves on the Ohio Judicial Conference’s Community Corrections Committee, is a member of the Ohio Judicial College Board of Trustees, and participates in various subcommittees through the Ohio Judicial Conference, Common Pleas Judges Association, and the Supreme Court of Ohio
- Judge Finley is active in local and statewide judicial organizations, including the Lawrence County and Ohio State Bar Associations.