Jill Worthington

Professional career

• Judge Jill T. Worthington has held the role of the judge of Van Wert Municipal Court in Ohio since November 5, 2010, and is the second female judge elected in Van Wert County at age 39
• She pioneered the Van Wert Veterans Court, a specialized docket certified by the Ohio Supreme Court in 2021, aimed at reducing stigma and improving outcomes for veterans in the justice system.
• She later held the role of Van Wert City Law Director and prosecutor in Van Wert Municipal Court (2003–2006), and as a Senior Claims Attorney at Central Mutual Insurance Co. (2007–2010)
• Joined the bench in 2010 after a long legal career that began in 2002 as a public defender attorney at the Law Offices of Steven L. Diller.

Education

Additional information

• In 2025, Judge Worthington appeared before the Van Wert City Council to explain a five percent raise request for municipal court employees, citing staff retention challenges and pay disparities with other municipal courts in the region
• She has served on the YWCA of Van Wert County Board of Directors for six years, was named a YWCA Woman of Achievement in 2004, and is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Van Wert
• She is admitted to practice in the U.S. Federal District Court (Northern District of Ohio) and the U.S. Supreme Court
• Judge Worthington is active in numerous organizations, including the Van Wert Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, and the American Judges Association.