The Honorable

Lynne S. Callahan

Judge Lynne Callahan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Akron, where she was named “Outstanding Senior Woman” in 1979. She earned her Juris Doctorate degree from The University of Akron School of Law in 1984 and was thereafter admitted to the Ohio Bar. After law school Judge Callahan chose a unique career path and joined the Akron Police Department where she served the community as a police officer and narcotics detective. In 1989 she joined the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney where she prosecuted major felonies. Judge Callahan also worked in the private sector.

Judge Callahan was appointed to the Akron Municipal Court on May 1, 1997, elected in November 1997 and re-elected in November 2003.  While in the Akron Municipal Court, she was twice elected by her fellow judges to serve as Presiding Judge.

Judge Callahan was instrumental in the creation of the Akron Municipal Court’s Family Violence Court and presided over the Court from April 1998 until she was elected to the Common Pleas Court in 2009. Family Violence Court is an innovative domestic violence diversion program, which targets first time domestic violence offenders. During Judge Callahan’s tenure, the Family Violence Court received the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director’s Award for Excellence in Community Justice and the American Corrections Association National Exemplary Offender Award.

Judge Callahan was elected to the Summit County Court of Common Pleas in November 2008 for the term beginning January 3, 2009. She was recently honored to be named by Chief Justice Thomas Moyer to serve on the Ohio Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence.

Judge Callahan has been active in the community and has been the recipient of several awards recognizing her community involvement, including the Urban Light Award. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Community Health Center Foundation and is a member of the County of Summit Criminal Justice Advisory Board. She has taught at The University of Akron and at the Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College.

Judge Callahan is a lifelong resident of Summit County.  She is married and the mother of three children.