---
title: "Kathryn Michael | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kathryn-michael"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-08"
---

# Kathryn Michael

Summit Co. Common Pleas Court · Common Pleas Judge

## Profile

- Court: Summit 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

- Specialized Court Leadership: Presiding Judge of the Family Intervention Court (9 years) Co‐Presiding Judge of the OVI Court Program Presiding Judge of the DVIC Program since 2019, restructuring it with risk assessment tools and specialized tracks
- Kathryn Michael is a judge of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas in Ohio, elected in 2018 and re‐elected in 2024, known for her leadership in domestic violence intervention programs and over 13 years as an Akron Municipal Court judge
- Administrative Judge for Summit County Common Pleas Court (2018, 2013, 2010)
- Akron Municipal Court Judge (2005–2018): Served 13 years, twice elected as Administrative/Presiding Judge of the entire court
- Attorney in the litigation section at Arter & Hadden, then in private practice from 1988 until her judicial election
- Law clerk for Summit County Common Pleas judges and for then‐Judge Judith Nicely

### Education



### Additional information

- General Division of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, a position she assumed after being elected in November 2018 to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon.
- Also the Presiding Judge of the Summit County Domestic Violence Intervention Court (DVIC), an Ohio Supreme Court–certified specialized docket for multiple domestic violence offenders
- Judge Michael’s career reflects a blend of legal expertise, specialized court leadership, and deep community engagement, with a focus on breaking the cycle of domestic violence and improving judicial processes