James Walther

Candidate for Domestic Relations Judge Democrat www.jimwaltherforjudge.com jtwlaw@centurytel.net (440) 960-2525
Employment:
1987 - 2008 James T. Walther Co., L.P.A., Lorain, Attorney at Law Private practice Areas of practice: Personal Injury, Contract, Family, Sexual Harassment, Litigation, Probate and Employment Law. 01/01/2005-present City of Lorain, OH Assistant Law Director/Prosecutor - Draft and review municipal ordinances - Represent City of Lorain in litigation - Provide legal opinions for City officials - Criminal Prosecution - Registered Sex Offender litigation 2001-2/2004 Acting Judge and Magistrate of Lorain Municipal Court - Preside over Lorain Municipal Court criminal and traffic dockets of Judge Gustalo Nunez, Judge Mark Mihok and Judge Thomas Elwell. - Preside over the Lorain Municipal Court civil docket, adjudicate motions, hearings and small claim trials 1989-2000 Lorain County Court of Common Pleas Staff Attorney for Judge Edward M. Zaleski - Areas of Practice: Business, Real Estate, Criminal, Personal Injury, Complex Litigation, Worker's Comp., Municipal and Employment Law.
Education:
1984-1987 Cleveland Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, OH Juris Doctorate -Top 25% of class 1981-1984 Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH B.B.A. Economics 1978-1981 Lorain County Community College, Elyria, OH A.A. Business/General Studies 1978 Graduate of Brookside High School - National Honor Society - Top 10% of class
Community Involvement:
Boy Scouts of America, Troop 409, Vermilion, OH-Asst. Scoutmaster Friends of Scouting-Chairman, Great Frontier District, Lorain County Lorain Youth Baseball, Lorain, OH Knights of Columbus, Lorain, OH Lorain County Port Authority-member 1/2005-present Port Foundation of Lorain, Lorain, OH member 1/2007-present Lorain-Medina Community Based Correctional Facility Citizen Advisory - Committee-member 1996-2006 Lorain-Medina Community Based Correctional Facility Governance Board - member 2006 - August 2007 LCADA Judicial Advisory Board-past member Yellowstone Association, West Yellowstone, MT Friends of the Metroparks, Lorain County Trinity Evangelical Free Church, Amherst, OH-member Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, Vermilion, OH, 6/2005-present Open Door Christian School, past volunteer Hopewood Retreat Ministries, Inc. - Board of Directors-member Sons of Amvets, Post 47, Lorain, Ohio-member Coalition for Hispanic/Latino Issues and Progress (CHIPS)-member Avon Democratic Club-Associate member
Family:
Wife, Dawn G. Walther, married 4/28/1990 Son, Matthew Walther, age 15 Daughter, Hayley Walther, age 13 Daughter, Rose Walther, age 11 Father, Thomas C. Walther, Chief of Police, Sheffield Lake, OH-retired Mother, Lea R. Walther, grandmother extraordinaire
Why would you like to be elected?
I have previously worked for the Common Pleas Court in Elyria. I enjoyed the idea that the work that I performed made a profound difference in the lives of many people. I also enjoyed the intellectual aspect of solving complex legal issues. I believe that my experience, integrity and compassion makes me the best candidate for the job.
What would you like to accomplish if elected?
I understand that the Lorain County budget is under a financial constraint. I believe that it is incumbent upon elected office holders to accomplish more with less. I would like to examine the use of court personnel to see if there could be cost savings with the sharing of job responsibilities, while not reducing services.
How do you think Internet technology will impact government services?
Government services have already been impacted by Internet technology. Fifteen years ago virtually no Lorain County offices had Internet accessibility. Now, information that used to be accessible only by physically going to the office is now routinely available through Internet access. Routine forms and notices can be placed on the Internet for parties to fill out and return. Video and internet conferencing between opposing parties and the Court can save time and travel expenses.
What one bit of information do people not normally know about you?
I enjoy the outdoors. Even though my work with the Boy Scouts provides me the satisfaction of working with youth, I like the fact that it gets me outdoors. It seems that technology, i.e. video games, television, the Internet, etc., forces us inside our homes. I like being outside. My daughters' involvement with horse shows in 4-H is another example of my getting enjoyment out of working with youth and getting me in the great outdoors.