Honorable Judge Susan Baker Ross

Judge Susan Baker Ross graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management with a minor in English in 1988. She completed law school at the University of Akron School of Law in May, 1991and was admitted to the practice of law in the State of Ohio in November, 1991.

She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the bench. She worked for
• The City of Akron Law Department from 1989-1992 as a Legal Intern
• The Portage County Prosecutor’s Office from 1992-1997 and the Summit
County Prosecutor’s Office from 2001-2010 as an Assistant Prosecutor in the Civil Division
• The Akron Municipal Court from 2012-2019 as Judicial Attorney/Magistrate and then as Traffic Court Magistrate, and
• In private practice on and off throughout the years.

In November 2018, she was elected to a six year term on the Court of Common Pleas and her term began May 17, 2019. She currently serves on the Ohio Judicial Conference Judicial Advisory Group, Criminal Law and Procedure and Civil Law and Procedure committees. Additionally, she is a member of the Lawyer’s Assistance Committee of the Akron Bar Association, Leadership Akron Signature Class 35, ATHENA International, the League of Women Voters, and is a lifetime member of the NAACP.  Judge Baker Ross also provides Substance Abuse Education to the University of Akron Law School students every year.

Judge Baker Ross was honored to become the Presiding Judge over the Summit County Valor Court in August, 2022. Valor Court was established due to the recognition that many of our veterans return to civilian life with serious trauma, both physical and mental, which may lead to their involvement with the criminal justice system. By providing this court, veterans are given access to programs, treatment and interaction with mentors in a collaborative initiative to enhance chances of success.  For more information about Valor Court visit our website section regarding Specialty Courts.

Other honors she has received include: Freedom House for Women 2022 Leadership Award, Limitless Ambition 2020 Ladies of Legacy award, Outstanding Committee Chair Award  2019-2020 from the Akron Bar Association for her dedication as Co-Chair of the Lawyers Assistance Committee for over ten years, 2019 Celebration of Life Awardee with the Final Farewell Project, and 2019 Ohio Associations of Magistrates  Award.

She has previously served as a member of the Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board, Summit County Collaborative Against Human Trafficking, and the Women’s Network Board. On a community level she served the Girl Scouts as a Leader for 10 years, as District Coordinator, as District Cookie Chair and as a Cookie Cupboard for her community. Additionally, she was a devoted volunteer in the Mogadore community as a board member on the Youth Football, Athletic Boosters and Band Boosters; and the Village of Mogadore as a Councilwoman, on the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Judge Baker Ross is grateful to be in long term recovery since July 19, 1989. Having lived through some difficult circumstances in her lifetime, she is seeing how her experience, strength, and hope can benefit others.
 

Click here for Judge Baker Ross’s Criminal Case Management Guidelines