Summit County council consents to appointment of Janet Ellige as justice court judge

The Summit County Council consented to a recommendation to appoint Janet Ellige as a justice court judge, the council chair announced, and members approved the appointment by voice vote.

The nomination was presented to the council after Judge Shawna Kerr announced her impending retirement. Shane Scott introduced the process the nominating committee used: the vacancy was advertised, several applications were received, a nominating committee selected three finalists and forwarded them for further vetting, and the manager forwarded Janet Ellige for the council’s consent. Council members said any of the three finalists would have served well and praised Ellige’s qualifications.

A council member moved to consent to the county manager’s appointment; the motion was seconded and the chair called for a voice vote, which passed. During the meeting the nominee spoke, thanking Shane Scott, the Summit County Judicial Nominating Committee and colleagues for their support. "There are so many people to thank... I am so thrilled to have been selected," she said, adding that the role is a long-held professional goal after a legal career that began in 1993.

Council members and staff congratulated Ellige and acknowledged Judge Shawna Kerr’s years of service to Summit County. One council member jokingly warned the new judge about an immediate caseload backlog, and attendees closed the meeting with procedural adjournment.

The council adjourned after the consent vote and brief remarks; no additional motions or formal votes on other items were recorded in the transcript.