The Ohio Supreme Court imposed a two-year suspension with one year conditionally stayed on Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze following violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Rules of Professional Conduct. The court issued its decision Jan. 13, 2026, in a disciplinary proceeding that arose from Celebrezze's conduct while serving on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division.
Celebrezze, who was admitted to practice law in Ohio in 1999, served as a judge on the multijudge domestic relations court until her resignation on Dec. 22, 2025. The disciplinary case, designated as No. 2025-1005, was submitted to the Supreme Court on Sept. 16, 2025, and decided on a certified report from the Board of Professional Conduct.
Chief Justice Kennedy authored the court's opinion, which was joined by Justices Fischer, Deters, Hawkins, and Shanahan. Justices DeWine and Brunner did not participate in the decision. The case originated as Board of Professional Conduct matter No. 2024-024 before being certified to the Supreme Court for final determination.
The court's opinion emphasized the importance of random case assignment in maintaining public confidence in the judicial system. "The purpose of random assignment or reassignment of cases is not only to avoid judge-shopping and to distribute cases equitably among judges, see Sup.R. 36.011 commentary, but also to maintain public confidence in the judicial system," the court wrote.
This statement suggests that Celebrezze's misconduct may have involved improper case assignment practices or related procedural violations that threatened the integrity of the court's operations. The domestic relations division handles sensitive family law matters including divorce, child custody, and domestic violence cases, where impartial case assignment is particularly critical to ensuring fair proceedings.
The two-year suspension with one year conditionally stayed means Celebrezze will serve an actual suspension of one year, with the second year held in abeyance contingent on her compliance with the terms of the disciplinary order. This type of conditional suspension is typically imposed when the court seeks to impose meaningful discipline while providing incentive for rehabilitation and future compliance with ethical rules.
Judicial discipline cases in Ohio follow a structured process beginning with investigation by disciplinary counsel, proceeding through the Board of Professional Conduct, and culminating in final determination by the Supreme Court. The Board of Professional Conduct, which consists of judges, attorneys, and public members, reviews evidence and makes recommendations to the Supreme Court regarding appropriate sanctions.
Violations of both the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Rules of Professional Conduct indicate that Celebrezze's misconduct encompassed both her judicial duties and her role as a licensed attorney. The Code of Judicial Conduct governs judicial behavior including impartiality, propriety, and competence, while the Rules of Professional Conduct address attorney obligations including integrity, confidentiality, and proper client relations.
The timing of Celebrezze's resignation on Dec. 22, 2025, just weeks before the Supreme Court's disciplinary decision, suggests she may have sought to conclude her judicial service before facing potential removal from the bench. However, resignation does not eliminate the court's authority to impose disciplinary sanctions that can affect future eligibility for judicial service or law practice.
Disciplinary sanctions against judges serve multiple purposes including protecting the public, maintaining confidence in the judicial system, and deterring similar misconduct by other judicial officers. The Supreme Court's decision sends a message that violations of judicial ethics will result in significant consequences even for experienced jurists.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining judicial integrity and public confidence in court proceedings. Domestic relations courts, in particular, face scrutiny given the emotional and financial stakes involved in family law matters. Proper case assignment procedures help ensure that parties receive fair treatment regardless of which judge hears their case.
Celebrezze's attorney registration number 0071679 reflects her admission to practice in 1999, indicating she had more than 25 years of legal experience before facing disciplinary action. Her service on the domestic relations bench involved handling complex family law matters that significantly impact the lives of Ohio families.
The conditional nature of part of the suspension suggests the court recognized factors that warranted some mitigation while still imposing substantial discipline. The specific terms of the conditional suspension, including any requirements for continuing education, monitoring, or other remedial measures, would typically be detailed in the complete disciplinary order.
This disciplinary action adds to the record of judicial accountability measures in Ohio, where the Supreme Court regularly addresses misconduct cases to maintain professional standards. The decision reinforces the principle that judges are held to the highest ethical standards given their critical role in administering justice and maintaining public confidence in the legal system.