Julie A. Schafer

Professional career

• Administrative Judge of the Medina County Domestic Relations Court, a position she assumed in August 2022 and later won in the November 2024 general election for the full term
• Medina County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division — Appointed July 15, 2022 by Governor Mike DeWine to complete Judge Kovack’s term; elected in 2024 for the full six years
• The Administrative Judge of the Medina County Domestic Relations Court in Ohio, elected in 2024 to a full six‐year term after being appointed in 2022
• Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals — Elected in 2014, served six years (2014–2021), also serving by assignment as a visiting judge in the Ohio Supreme Court and other appellate districts
• A 1975 graduate of Medina High School, Schafer spent 11 years in Los Angeles in costuming and wardrobe work, including for Lucasfilm’s Star Wars, before returning to Ohio in 1988 with her daughter, now an Assistant U.S. Attorney.
• Official site: Medina County Domestic Relations Court – Judge Schafer
• She also held the role of a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), guardian ad litem, and arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau

Education

Additional information

• Before joining the bench, Schafer practiced law for over 11 years in Northeast Ohio
• focusing on domestic relations, juvenile, and probate matters.
• Her work included divorce, custody, child support, post‐decree issues, civil protection orders, dependency/neglect/abuse cases, and probate representation.