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Judge Jennifer Kinsley outlines First District Court of Appeals role, caseload and public programs
Summary
Judge Jennifer Kinsley, administrative and presiding judge of the First District Court of Appeals, told the St. Bernard council the court is seeing rising appeals, offers free mediation resolving about 60% of referred civil matters, and runs a Help Center and internship programs to help litigants and students.
Judge Jennifer Kinsley, administrative and presiding judge of the First District Court of Appeals, spoke to the St. Bernard council on March 26 about how the appellate court operates and what services it offers to the community.
"We like to say we're the last stop for justice," Kinsley said, describing the court's role reviewing trial-court records and issuing written decisions in every case. She said panels of three judges are randomly assigned from the court's six judges to consider appeals from Hamilton County trial courts.
Kinsley outlined programs intended to help litigants and the public. She said the court offers a free mediation program that resolves outcomes in more than 60% of the civil cases where a trained mediator assists parties. The court also partners with a Help Center — a collaboration between the clerk of courts and the University of Cincinnati College of Law — which assisted 44 people at the appellate level last year by helping them file appeals and navigate procedural requirements.
On capacity, Kinsley said the court's caseload has risen in recent years. "When I started at the court in 2023, we averaged just under 700 appeals a year," she said. She reported 742 cases in 2024 and said first-quarter 2026 figures point toward an increase that is "inching up to 800." She added the court's most recent clearance rate was about 103%, and the court tracks an overage rate it seeks to keep below 30%.
Kinsley also provided per-case cost figures. She said operating costs amounted to roughly $153 per appeal and salary costs about $3,194 per case, both below comparable averages she cited for other districts. She described staff resources (judges, staff attorneys and administrative personnel) and noted educational outreach including internships and free attorney training.
The judge invited residents to visit the court, noting hearings are livestreamed at firstdistcoa.org and that the court hosts tours and community groups. After her presentation she answered council questions and thanked members for their time.
The presentation was informational; no council action followed.
