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DR Judge Katarina Cook discusses goals for the court
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: February 10, 2017
Summit County Domestic Relations Court Judge Katarina Cook believes there’s much more to her job than simply hearing and ruling on cases.
“While many of the matters in this court involve the separation of assets, these cases are about families,” said Judge Cook. “I believe a judge needs to be cognizant of the sadness and grief that took place before a case number was ever assigned.
“Not everyone wants to dissolve their marriage or split up the custody of their children and I think it’s important that a judge comprehend where people stand emotionally.”
Bringing compassionate insight to the cases she presides over is just one of her many goals as she settles into her new role as domestic relations court judge, which she began on Jan. 6 after being sworn in the previous day.
Judge Cook, a Republican, is filling the open seat created by Judge Carol Dezso’s retirement. She received about 53 percent of the vote in the Nov. 8 election, where she faced off against her Democratic opponent, Domestic Relations Court Chief Magistrate Ron Cable.
“Returning to this area of law has always been in the back of mind,” said Judge Cook.
She first began handling family law cases in 1993 when she served as an assistant prosecutor in the Stark County Prosecutor’s Officer. She specialized in the prosecution of child sex offenders and served on the Child Sex Abuse Task Force.
Several years later she started her own firm, where she focused on juvenile and domestic relations cases. She also trained as a guardian ad litem at the Summit County Juvenile Court and was appointed cases at that court and at Summit County Domestic Relations Court.
“It’s been my life’s work to protect the welfare of our children,” said Judge Cook.
Her journey hasn’t been without its ups and downs.
Born in the former Yugoslavia, Judge Cook’s parents moved to Barberton, Ohio when she was a baby.
The Firestone High School graduate said it was not until her mother passed away and her uncle adopted her that she truly learned the power that judges possess and the impact they can have on those who come before them.
When she first enrolled at the University of Rochester in New York, she planned to become a doctor. However she soon decided to pursue a career in law.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in both history and psychology, obtaining her juris doctor at The University of Akron School of Law.
Judge Cook met her husband, Kevin, in 1991 through a mutual friend. They got married in 1993 and have four sons, Jordan, Christian, Noah and Jacob.
Before joining the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office, Judge Cook served as an intern in the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. She’s also worked as a substitute mediator in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas and had a mediation practice in Stark County, where she was assigned cases in Stark County Family Court.
In 2005 Judge Cook was appointed as the traffic magistrate for the Akron Municipal Court.
In 2009, she was elected Akron Municipal Court judge and was later reelected in 2013.
During her time in municipal court, she presided over the drug court on a substitute basis and beginning in June 2012 she took over as presiding judge of the OVI court, which handles defendants convicted of an OVI (operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs).
In 2014 she lost a bid to unseat incumbent Summit County Domestic Relations Court Administrative Judge John Quinn, who won reelection.
Now the two are working together to improve the court’s services to the public.
“Judge Quinn and I have a very collegial relationship,” said Judge Cook.
“I think she is doing a fine job,” said Judge Quinn. “Judge Cook is dedicated to doing the best job that she can to help the people who come before her court.
“We are discussing what might be done to help the court function more efficiently.”
Judge Cook said she is working to open the lines of communication between attorneys and judges. She’s also hoping to collaborate with The University of Akron School of Law and the Akron Bar Association to create a new clinic that would be manned by law students who could assist clients in filing cases in domestic relations court.
Judge Cook and Judge Quinn also unveiled a help desk on Jan. 25, which operates every Wednesday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Their judicial attorneys are running the desk under the supervision of Judge Quinn.
“They cannot provide legal advice but they can guide people who don’t have a lawyer through the process of filing for divorce and other matters, which can be very stressful,” said Judge Cook.
“At municipal court, I always held walk-in office hours four mornings a week.”
Judge Cook would also like to start a family recovery court, which would offer treatment to those suffering with alcohol and drug addiction.
“Instead of just telling a parent you can’t see your child because of substance abuse problems, the court would provide a program to help them recover so they can see their children again.
“The prospect of being reunited with a child would be an excellent incentive for a parent to complete the program,” she said.
Since taking the bench she has filled some vacancies, including hiring former Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge Scot Stevenson as her trial magistrate. Stevenson, a Republican, lost the Nov. 8 election to opponent Judge Joy Malek Oldfield. They were vying to fill the remainder of Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge Tom Parker’s term.
“He is an excellent fit at this court,” said Judge Cook.
Her bailiff, Tom McLaughlin, and judicial attorney, Cheryl Wear, followed her to domestic relations court. Both also worked on her campaign.
“I’ve been in the legal profession for close to 25 years and during that time have worked for numerous judges in the same capacity,” said Wear, who has been a member of Judge Cook’s staff since August 2015. “I can unequivocally say that Judge Cook’s work ethic, ambition and devotion to her work are exemplary.
“She not only spends long hours on her caseload, but also manages to maintain an open door policy for both the court staff and attorneys who practice before her. She always welcomes their thoughts and opinions.
“Most importantly, she truly cares about the parties involved in each case.”
McLaughlin described Judge Cook as “personable and humane.
“She understands that all people make mistakes and can find themselves in difficult situations, but that doesn’t mean they’re bad people or can’t change for the better.
“When she ran the OVI court she showed compassion toward those who came before her and was not judgmental at all,” said McLaughlin, who started working for Judge Cook in the second half of 2016. “She is also very time conscious, which is very important since we’re so inundated with cases.”
Cook, who serves as a trustee for the Ohio Women’s Bar Association, is a member of the Akron, Ohio State and Ohio Women’s bar associations and the American Judges Association.
In addition to volunteering and speaking on behalf of the Summit County Collaborative Against Human Trafficking, she had been active in the Akron Bar Association’s Street Law Program, serving as chair or co-chair for eight years. She also continues to serve as a mock trial coach, which she’s done since 2006.
“I am looking forward to making positive changes at the Summit County Domestic Relations Court and working with all of the community organizations that interface with our court so that together we can help these families in transition,” said Judge Cook.