---
title: "Sharon L. Kennedy | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sharon-l-kennedy"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-22"
---

# Sharon L. Kennedy

Supreme Court of Ohio · Chief Justice

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of Ohio
- State: Ohio
- Role: Chief Justice
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- The 11th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, elected in 2022 and serving since January 1, 2023, after a career that includes decades as a judge, attorney, and public servant in Ohio’s judicial system
- Judge, Ohio Supreme Court, 2012-present
- Kennedy became Chief Justice in November 2022, defeating Jennifer L. Brunner in the general election
- Butler County Court of Common Pleas (1999–2012): held the role of a judge in the Domestic Relations Division and as administrative judge from 2005 to 2012, improving case management and championing family law reforms

### Education

- She graduated from Northwest High School (1980), obtained a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Cincinnati (1984), and a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law (1991)

### Additional information

- Practitioner, 2011-2011
- Date of birth: 1962-01-01
- Kennedy is recognized for her work in family law reform, budget management in Butler County, and her leadership in the Ohio judicial system.
- Birth place: Hamilton County

## 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.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/judicial-system/supreme-court-of-ohio/justices-overview/)
- [Official roster](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/judicial-system/supreme-court-of-ohio/justices-overview/)
- [Supreme Court of Ohio official judicial roster](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/judicial-system/supreme-court-of-ohio/justices-overview/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5374/sharon-l-kennedy/)
- [Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5374/sharon-l-kennedy/)
- [Wikidata: Sharon L. Kennedy](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7490123)

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