James J. Ong at a glance
- Current role
- County Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Ohio · State
- Judicial service
- Active
James J. Ong
County Court Judge · Tuscarawas County Court
Biography
Professional career
- Law Director for Uhrichsville (since 2018) WJER Radio
- The appointed County Court Judge for Tuscarawas County, Ohio, succeeding retired Judge Brad Hillyer, with the seat subject to a 2024 election to retain the position
- He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Brad Hillyer in January 2023 Court News Ohio
- Ohio county court judge for Tuscarawas County, appointed in 2023 to replace retired Judge Brad Hillyer, with a background in law, municipal legal service, and prior judicial roles
- Partner at the law firm Connolly, Hillyer, and Ong in Uhrichsville
- Acting judge for Tuscarawas County Court
- Seasoned attorney with municipal legal leadership experience, prior judicial service, and a strong local legal practice, now serving as Tuscarawas County’s county court judge
Education
- J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law and his B.A. from Hiram College
- Bachelor’s degree — Hiram College Court News Ohio+1
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) — University of Akron School of Law Court News Ohio+1
Additional information
- Ong’s appointment is temporary; he must win the November 2024 judicial election to retain the seat
- Appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to the Tuscarawas County Court in May 2023, taking office on May 29, 2023.
- after being appointed by Governor Mike DeWine following the retirement of Brad Hillyer in January 2023
- As a county court judge, Ong has jurisdiction over various civil and criminal matters in Tuscarawas County, Ohio
- Before becoming judge, Ong was
- As judge, he oversees traffic offenses, local ordinance violations, preliminary criminal hearings, issues search and arrest warrants, and handles sentencing in certain minor criminal cases
- James J. Ong serves as
- Village Solicitor for Dennison and TuscarawasCourt News Ohio+1
- In these roles, he reviewed charges, determined cases for trial, drafted and filed legal documents and warrants, prosecuted criminal charges, and provided sentencing recommendations
- He also earlier acted as
- Ong lives in Dennison, Ohio
- He has described the appointment as an honor and a meaningful opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his father-in-law, Hudson “Hud” Hillyer, and his late relative Brad Hillyer’s judicial legacy
- He has indicated an intention to run for reelection when the seat is up for vote
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
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.
Instructions for submitting exhibits or notifying the court of witnesses.Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings ↗
Statewide
Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance recommends advance ground rules for documents, exhibits, screen sharing, and pre-marking exhibits for remote hearings.
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 ↗
Statewide
Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance states that litigants, attorneys, and the public should be instructed not to record the hearing.
The court should instruct the litigants, attorneys, and the public to not record the hearing.Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings ↗
Sources
Identity source checked July 27, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 27, 2026.
Ohio Judicial Conference Directory official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View Ohio Judicial Conference Directory official judicial roster ↗Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings ↗