Visiting Judges

Purpose

The Visiting Judge (VJ) Program for the Court of Common Pleas provides coverage for cases in those instances when the Assigned Judge is unable to hear a case that is ready to proceed to trial, or requires coverage due to an extended leave of absence.

General Guidelines

  • The VJ will hear only civil trials, as approved by the Administrative Judge.
  • The order of case assignment to the VJ(s) will be on a 1st come 1st serve basis, unless a case has been assigned in advance.
  • Trials must go forward immediately, upon assignment to the Visiting Judge.
  • Oral arguments and decisions on pending civil motions (summary judgment, motion in limine, discovery matters, etc.) can be heard by a VJ.
  • No request for a continuance is to be granted by the VJ without the approval of the Assigned Judge.
  • Any exceptions to these guidelines must be specifically approved by the Administrative Judge.

Visiting Judges

The following list of Visiting Judges is approved to serve in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court - General Division. Please note attorneys are not permitted to request a specific Visiting Judge. Case assignment is made by the Court.

Honorable David E. Cain

  • Retired Judge from Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County, Ohio (1987-2018)
  • Private Law Practice (1974-1986)
  • Member of Columbus City Council (1980-1983)
  • Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch (1967-1977)
  • Junior High School Teacher, Southwestern City Schools (1967-1969)

Honorable Dale A. Crawford

  • Retired Judge from the Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County, Ohio (1982 to 2006)
  • Municipal Court Judge, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio (1979 to 1982)
  • The Ohio and National Judicial College Speaker
  • Arbitrator and Mediator

Honorable Richard A. Frye

  • Retired Judge from the Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County, Ohi0 (2005-2023)
  • Private Practice (1975-2005)
  • Member, Ohio Supreme Court Commission on Rules of Practice and Procedure
  • Member, Judicial Independence Committee of the America College of Trial Lawyers
  • Recipient of the Judge William K. Thomas judicial excellence award in 2013
  • Recipient “2012-Liberty Bell Award” from the Columbus Bar Assoc. as chair of the judge’s committee that oversaw the design and construction of the new Courthouse.

Honorable Daniel Hogan

  • Retired Assistant Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney (2015 to 2017)
  • Retired Judge from the Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County, Ohio (1997 to 2014)
  • Assistant Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney (1980 to 1996)
  • Assistant Columbus City Prosecuting Attorney (1978 to 1980)

Honorable Guy L. Reece II

  • Retired Judge from the Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County, Ohio (1992-1995) (2003-2019)
  • Director of the Franklin County Board of Elections (1999-2003)
  • Municipal Court Judge, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio (1990-1992)
  • Assistant Columbus City Attorney (1980-1990)
  • Colonel U.S. Army (Retired)

Honorable William H. Woods

  • Retired Judge from the Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County, Ohio (2015 to 2020)
  • Civil trial attorney in private practice for 41 years, handling cases in state and federal courts
  • Maintained an AV Martindale Hubbell peer rating
  • Honor Graduate of The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law