YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Gov. John R. Kasich has appointed attorney Shirley J. Christian of New Springfield to serve as a judge on the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas. Kasich’s office announced the appointment Wednesday.

Christian assumes office Oct. 2. To retain the seat, she must run in November 2016 for the full term commencing Jan. 1, 2017. Christian, with the firm of Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, will succeed Judge James C. Evans, who retires Oct. 1.

“We are very proud of our colleague and very pleased that a highly experienced, talented, conscientious and fair candidate secured this appointment,” said Kevin P. Murphy, chair of Harrington, Hoppe’s management committee, in a prepared statement.

“With her 28 years of excellent work in the courts, thorough trial experience and long-standing track record for community service, particularly with work related to ethics and compliance, Shirley Christian is very well prepared to be an excellent judge.”

Christian earned her baccalaureate and master’s degree in education from Edinboro University and her juris doctorate with distinction at Ohio Northern University.

She has practiced law in Ohio since 1986 with a focus on medical malpractice defense and labor and employment law.

Christian is a trustee and past president of the Mahoning County Bar Association, a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and served on its board of governors. She also serves as secretary to the board secretary of Catholic Charities Housing Opportunities Board.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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