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David Lombardi named new Akron Muni judge
TRACEY BLAIR
Legal News Reporter
Published: May 20, 2015
David G. Lombardi has had aspirations to become a judge for as long as he can remember.
After applying for three previous judgeships that opened up, the 52-year-old Akron resident’s persistence has paid off.
Lombardi, a Republican, has been serving since April 1 as the newest Akron Municipal Court judge. He was appointed by Gov. John Kasich to replace former Judge Julie A. Schafer, who left the bench after being elected to the Ninth District Court of Appeals in November.
Judge Lombardi was in private practice for more than two decades as a criminal defense attorney. He also handled traffic, estate and domestic relations cases.
“I loved being an advocate for my clients, but so far, I really like being a judge,” he said. “It’s an interesting new challenge. There’s more to it than just the facts and a rap sheet. It’s a different hat, but I’ve been doing stuff in this court and in Common Pleas Court for 26 years.”
Judge Lombardi said having a prior good relationship with the staff at the courthouse has made for a smooth transition.
“I was respected as a trial attorney,” he said. “I know all the people over here. I believe I have patience and a good demeanor to make well-reasoned decisions.”
Judge Lombardi received his bachelor’s degree from Miami University in business administration and finance and his law degree from the University of Akron School of Law. He is currently a board member on the Summit County Law Library Association.
He’s also been a mentor for the Broken Chains Prison Ministry, counseled inmates in the Summit County Jail Bible Study Program, been a pro bono probate guardian for two mentally handicapped men and an elder at Summit Christian Church.
“As a Christian, you have to support your community,” he said.
The only downside about becoming a judge is that he had to resign his seat on the Akron School Board he’d held since November 2013.
“The School Board was great. I miss it,” he said. “I’m impressed with the leadership.”
A lot has changed since Judge Lombardi first was admitted to the practice of law in 1989.
“When I first became a lawyer, it was powder cocaine. Then it was crack, then meth. Now it’s heroin because it’s cheaper. That’s the big deal now,” he said.
Judge Lombardi said Summit County must be creative in their sentencings for first-time, non-violent offenders due to overcrowding and underfunding issues.
“We can use house arrest, GPS monitoring and our five specialty courts – Valor Court, Mental Health Court, Drug Court, Domestic Violence Court and OVI Court,” he added. “We need to use more specialty courts. Generally, those work. I don’t have a specialty court assigned to me now but I would be open to it.”
Judge Lombardi said he is not against legislation that pushes the use of injectable drugs police can carry to revive victims of accidental heroin overdoses.
“I think if it gives us a chance to save a kid, I’m all for it,” he said. “By the time EMS is called, sometimes it’s too late.”
The judge and his wife, Robin, have two sons, Leo, 17, and Max, 15.
Judge Lombardi comes from a long line of lawyers.
His grandfather was former Summit County Common Pleas Judge L. A. “Tony” Lombardi. His great uncle, Paul, was an attorney.
His father, Fred, and uncle, Dick, are lawyers. So is his cousin, Paul, and twin, brother, Marc, who works in the Summit County Legal Defenders Office.
“There was confusion before and it’s bound to continue,” Judge Lombardi said with a laugh of court employees seeing the two Lombardi brothers walking around daily.
“We’re not identical, but to most people we look identical,” Marc Lombardi said. “He’s always been a little smaller than me though.”
The public defender said since all his cases are assigned to Akron Municipal Court Judge Joy Malek Oldfield, there won’t be any chance of a conflict of interest with his judge brother.
“Dave’s a hard worker. I think he’ll do well. He’s very pragmatic,” Marc added. “He’s not without a heart, but he wants to keep an eye out for repeat offenders and hold them accountable.”
Judge Lombardi must win in November’s general election to retain the seat for the rest of the unexpired term, which ends Jan. 1, 2020.
“Be fair and follow the law. That’s my goal as judge,” he said.
His fellow Akron Municipal Court Judge Katarina Cook predicts he’ll have no problem reaching that goal.
“He has a lot of legal experience and an understanding of people’s backgrounds,” she said. “Being a defense attorney gives you a very unique perspective.”
Judge Cook added: “I have known Judge Lombardi since high school and went to law school with him. I’m also friends with his wife. A few weeks ago, I was over at their house and he didn’t have time to order a robe after he was appointed. He was trying on his grandfather’s robe and it fit. I spoke at his swearing in and said, `Your grandfather’s robe was literally a perfect fit and figuratively it will be too.’ “