MiddletownJournal.com

MIDDLETOWN — Faces are changing on the 12th District Court of Appeals, where Judge James Walsh will hang up his robe next month after 18 years on the bench.

But the two new justices — Robert Hendrickson of Monroe and Robert Ringland of Clermont County — have many combined years of legal-decision.

Walsh, a former Fairfield police officer and assistant Butler County prosecutor, was first elected to the appeals court in 1990 from the Fairfield Municipal Court bench. He ran again in 1996 when he was 69 1/2, six months short of the age limitation for judges.

"I just made it," Walsh said with a chuckle. He added he believes 70 is a "reasonable" age limit for judges to run for election, but at 75 he doesn't feel "old."

The Middletown-based court that serves Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Madison, Preble and Warren counties.

The court hears oral arguments on some cases, but for the most part, decisions are made after reviewing case transcripts and 20-page arguments from both sides.

"There's a lot of reading," Walsh said. He added the appeals court has a more internal feel. Oral arguments are heard two days a week and are usually attended only by the attorney who are there to make their cases.

Walsh will officially retire on Feb. 8, when Hendrickson will take his seat, but he will work to finish cases already before him until at least March. Walsh will also continue to serve as a visiting judge in the area.

Walsh said he is also considering learning Spanish and serving as a volunteer interpreter in the court system.

"It is real problem right now. It think it would be interesting and challenging for me and helpful to he court system," Walsh said.

Hendrickson, the son of retired court of appeals judge William Hendrickson, is busy wrapping up a 23-year law practice. He has attending one week of the required new judges school and will go back for another week in March.

The Lemon-Monroe High School graduate served as Butler County Area III judge from 1997 until last year, when he resigned to run for appellate judge. He said his time in the "trenches" of the lower court — as well as his private practice — is a good preparation for his new job.

"I have a broad range of experience in the justice system that has prepared me," Hendrickson said. He said he believes the biggest adjustment to the appeals court will be the lack of public interaction.

"I am used to being around people, both in my private practice and in area court," Hendrickson. "It will be an adjustment."

Ringland is already on the job as the new fifth judge, helping with the expanding caseload that has increased with the population.

"It's fascinating," Ringland said. He was served as Clermont County Common Pleas judge since 1983 and prior to that was a defense attorney and assistant prosecutor.

He, too, has been to judge school and is ready to get to work speeding up the appeals process.

Ringland will continue to live in Clermont County and is warming up to his one hour commute to Middletown.

"I am learning all the routes and I am getting into books on tape," he said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.