On The Record: The Podcast of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court

Judge Brendan Sheehan served as the Court's Administrative and Presiding Judge from 2020 - 2025. As his third and final two-year term ended, he spoke with Darren Toms about the job and what he accomplished

Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold was a true trail blazer. Judge Saffold joined our Bench in 1995. After Judge Lillian Greene, Judge Saffold was the second Black female elected to our Bench, and was the longest serving. Her son, Jeffrey Saffold, is now a Common Pleas Judge and her daughter, Sydney Saffold, sits on the Cleveland Municipal Bench where her mom began her Judicial career

Judge John Sutula retired in January 2025 after serving on the Bench since 2001. He started his legal career as a domestic relations attorney, where he learned the negotiating skills he attributes to his long career as a Judge.

Judge Kathleen Ann Sutula served on the Bench from 1991 to January 2025. Judge Sutula came to the Common Pleas Court from the federal courts, and brought with her a dedication to timeliness and fairness. 

Judge Daniel Gaul retired in January 2025 after serving on the Bench since 1991. He is a graduate of Cathedral Latin High School and Cleveland State University. Judge Gaul attended law school at Capital University and joined the bar in 1981.

Judge Frank D. Celebrezze is a third generation Judge. He served on the Common Pleas Court General Division starting in 1992 and was reelected in 1998. In 2000, he was elected to the Eight District Court of Appeals where he served until his retirement at the end of 2024.

Judge Nancy Margaret Russo discusses the Re-Entry Court she has presided over for 15 years. The interview with Public Information Officer Darren Toms is part of the Court's Second Chance Month celebration.

As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, the Court is shining a spotlight on two veteran Judges who will be retiring at the end of the year. Judge Kathleen A. Sutula and Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold met in law school, and have been friends ever since. Each has worn a judicial robe for more than 30 years. The two Judges sat down for a conversation about women in the law, the value of...

At the end of 2024, Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold will retire after 29 years on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Bench.  Two of her children are also Judges. Judge Jeffrey Saffold is on our Bench and Judge Sydney Saffold is with the Cleveland Municipal Court. This is the first time all three have sat down together to discuss the Saffold family legacy.  They talked with Court Public Inform...

After 30 years on the Bench, Judge Brian Corrigan retires in January of 2023. Along with host Darren Toms, Judge Corrigan looks back at his career and how the judiciary has evolved in the last three decades.

After 17 years on the Bench, Judge Dick Ambrose is retiring. He talks with Darren Toms about his time with the Court, playing for the Cleveland Browns, and what led him to a career in law after the NFL.

Former Eighth District Court of Appeals Judge Patricia A. Blackmon was the first African American woman elected to that Bench. Judge Blackmon was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1976. She helped organize the first law firm in the state comprised of African American women – Johnson, Keenan, and Blackmon. She also served as the chief prosecutor for the city of Cleveland. On her last day in office, Febru...

Judge Brendan Sheehan began a two-year term as the Court's Administrative Judge in January 2020. Judge Sheehan talks with host Darren Toms about his career, his thoughts on the Court, and what the future could hold.

Judge John J. Russo looks back on his six years as Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. He served as AJ/PJ from January 2014 to December 2019.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court is developing a pilot Domestic Violence Docket designed to help both the victim and defendant avoid potential future incidents. Judge Sherrie Miday and host Darren Toms discuss the docket, how the funding was obtained, and what the Judge hopes will be a model for other courts.

The Pro Bono Project provides legal advice on civil matters to people who are also dealing with criminal cases. In many instances, a person with a criminal case faces issues such as eviction, child custody, and even driving privileges. Judge Joan Synenberg, who presides over our Recovery Court, was instrumental in getting the Pro Bono Project started when she noticed some of the civil issues her d...

Judge Joan Synenberg talks with host Darren Toms about Recovery Court, a specialty docket that treats people with a dual diagnosis of addiction and related trauma.

Cuyahoga County Adult Probation Training Specialist Brad Schleter looks at how the probation department has changed over the years. What was once a program designed to punish people, probation has evolved into a method of helping people overcome their mistakes and become productive members of society. Community Control Sanctions, as probation is now known, uses evidence-based practices to find the...

Judge Michael E. Jackson retired in early January, 2019, after six years on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Bench. He spoke with host Darren Toms about his education, military and law careers and time on the bench. Judge Jackson also talks about Veterans Treatment Court, the docket he helped create and was appointed to preside over.

Judge Stuart Friedman retired in early January, 2019, after three decades on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Bench. He spoke with host Darren Toms about his education, law career and time on the bench. Judge Friedman also discussed the two things he's most proud of during his time as a Judge.

Judge Carolyn Friedland retired in January of 2019, and looked back on what she calls "a great job." Judge Friedland  spent 30 years on the Bench, and she speaks with host Darren Toms about her education, career, and why she became a Judge.

After nearly three decades on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court bench, Judge Janet Burnside retired at the end of 2018. Judge Burnside discusses her career, the justice system, and what advice she has for young attorneys.

CCS Executive Director Paul Klodor discusses how the non-profit organization helps clients perform their court-ordered community service.

Judge Michael E. Jackson talks with host Darren Toms about the Veterans Treatment Court, which strives to successfully rehabilitate veterans by diverting them from the traditional criminal justice system and providing them with the unique tools they need to lead a more productive and law-abiding life.

It's the jobs of our dedicated staff of court reporters to maintain an accurate record of every hearing that takes place. Head Court Reporter Bruce Bishilany talks with host Darren Toms about the role of the court reporters, the training they need, and why their job is so important.