Login | April 26, 2024
Meet Ohio 11th District Court of Appeals Judge John Eklund
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: July 29, 2021
With the goal of enhancing confidence in Ohio’s justice system, newly sworn-in 11th District Court of Appeals Judge John Eklund is spending his first few weeks on the bench familiarizing himself with court procedures and protocols and reviewing the cases he’s been assigned.
Judge Eklund was sworn in on July 1 by Geauga County Common Pleas Court Judge David Ondrey. The former Ohio state senator and longtime litigation attorney was appointed in June by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to replace Judge Matt Lynch, who won a different seat on the 11th District Court of Appeals.
“I am very excited to serve as judge,” said Judge Eklund. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to continue to carry out what I believe is the responsibility of lawyers and elected officials to make all elements of our government responsive to the people and true to our founding principles.”
“Judge Eklund is from my home county of Geauga,” said 11th District Court of Appeals Presiding and Administrative Judge Mary Jane Trapp. “I’ve known him for many years. We are both very active in the local and state bar associations and I believe his expertise as a litigator and legislator will prove very useful on the bench.
“I know him to be very affable and to have a calm demeanor, both of which are great virtues to have as an appellate judge.”
Born in Queens, New York, Judge Eklund grew up in Bay Shore, Long Island.
He received his bachelor’s degree from Union College in Schenectady, New York, where he majored in political science and history.
After marrying his wife Meg in 1977, the two relocated to Virginia and he obtained his juris doctorate from Washington and Lee University School of Law in Lexington.
“I felt a law degree would be intellectually challenging and would allow me to pursue many different career options,” said Judge Eklund. “I went into it with an open mind and when I got the chance to work with lawyers I realized it was a good fit with my skill sets and something I enjoyed doing. I believe it was the right choice.”
Judge Eklund began and spent his entire career at Calfee, Halter & Griswold in Cleveland.
“I started as a summer law clerk and eventually became a partner,” said Judge Eklund, who was a member and chair of the firm’s antitrust and trade regulation counseling and litigation practices. Judge Eklund officially left the firm on June 30.
In 2011, he was chosen by the Ohio Republican Senate Caucus to serve as the senator for Ohio’s 18th District. He was then elected to the seat the following year and re-elected in 2016. He left the Ohio Senate on Dec. 31, 2020 because of state constitutional term limits.
During his time in the Ohio Senate, he was the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he oversaw legislation that directly impacted the courts, including criminal sentencing. He also chaired the Ways and Means Committee and served on the Finance and Public Utilities committees, among others.
In 2019 the Ohio State Bar Association presented him with the Lawyer-Legislator Distinguished Service Award.
A longtime member of the Cleveland Metropolitan and Ohio State bar associations, Judge Eklund was admitted to practice before many federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Over the years, Judge Eklund has been very active in the community. He is currently on the board of Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity.
He also served as chair of the board of United Way Services of Geauga County and sat on the board of what is now known as the Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
“What I hope to bring to the court is a deep understanding of how the decisions we make impact the lives of Ohioans,” said Judge Eklund. “Judges on this court review decisions made by the lower courts that involve disputes between private parties, the state and real individuals.
“I think it’s important to keep things in perspective and realize the impact judicial decisions ultimately have,” he said. “I know the depth and breadth of my legal and legislative experience will help make the court even more effective in that respect.”
While the unexpired term Judge Eklund was appointed to fill ends on Feb. 8, 2025, he will have to run for election in 2022 to complete the term.
“I do plan to run to complete the term, and if successful, for a full six-year term thereafter,” said Judge Eklund.