Presiding Judge

Andrew J. King

Judge Andrew J. King was elected to the court in November of 2022 and began his term in February, 2023. His prior public service includes serving as an attorney for Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Attorney General for Dave Yost, and the Southwest Licking Community Water and Sewer District. Judge King spent over five years as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Delaware County, and, prior to that, he served as an assistant public defender for the Ohio Public Defender. Judge King’s prior legal experience includes being a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Roger L. Kline, Judge on the Fourth District Court of Appeals. Judge King was an extern for both Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Terrence O'Donnell and Judge for U.S. Court for Southern District Court of Ohio, Algenon L. Marbley. He received a B.A. degree from The Ohio State University and received his J.D., summa cum laude, from Capital University Law School. He also served as an associate editor for the Capital University Law Review. In 2025, Judge King was appointed to the Board of Professional Conduct, which issues advisory opinions and hears complaints against attorneys and judges. He was elected as the court’s administrative judge for 2024 and 2025. Judge King also is an adjunct professor for Capital University Law School. He is also a member of the Elks and spent many years as a leader in Boy Scouts of America. In 2018, Judge King received the Ohio State Bar Foundation’s Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and under. Because of his community service and commitment to the justice system, he was named a 2019 Fellow by Ohio State Bar Foundation. He is married and has two children. Diane Burton is Judge King's staff attorney.  She earned a B.A. from Kent State University in 1985 and a J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law in 1989.  Prior to serving with Judge King, she was the law clerk to Judge Sheila G. Farmer of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas for four years and her Staff Attorney at the Fifth District Court of Appeals for twenty-four years. Renee Watson is Judge King's staff attorney, joining the Court in May, 2017, after having served with the Stark County Prosecutor's Office for sixteen years.  She graduated cum laude from the University of Akron with a B.A. degree in 1996.  She received her J.D. from the University of Akron in 2000. Teresa Dolan is Judge King's Judicial Administrative Assistant.  She graduated from Stark State with a degree in computer science.  She can be reached at  330.451.7447

Judge Andrew J. King was elected to the court in November of 2022 and began his term in February, 2023. His prior public service includes serving as an attorney for Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Attorney General for Dave Yost, and the Southwest Licking Community Water and Sewer District. Judge King spent over five years as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Delaware County, and, prior to that, he served as an assistant public defender for the Ohio Public Defender. Judge King’s prior legal experience includes being a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Roger L. Kline, Judge on the Fourth District Court of Appeals. Judge King was an extern for both Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Terrence O'Donnell and Judge for U.S. Court for Southern District Court of Ohio, Algenon L. Marbley. He received a B.A. degree from The Ohio State University and received his J.D., summa cum laude, from Capital University Law School. He also served as an associate editor for the Capital University Law Review. In 2025, Judge King was appointed to the Board of Professional Conduct, which issues advisory opinions and hears complaints against attorneys and judges. He was elected as the court’s administrative judge for 2024 and 2025. Judge King also is an adjunct professor for Capital University Law School. He is also a member of the Elks and spent many years as a leader in Boy Scouts of America. In 2018, Judge King received the Ohio State Bar Foundation’s Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and under. Because of his community service and commitment to the justice system, he was named a 2019 Fellow by Ohio State Bar Foundation. He is married and has two children. Diane Burton is Judge King's staff attorney.  She earned a B.A. from Kent State University in 1985 and a J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law in 1989.  Prior to serving with Judge King, she was the law clerk to Judge Sheila G. Farmer of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas for four years and her Staff Attorney at the Fifth District Court of Appeals for twenty-four years. Renee Watson is Judge King's staff attorney, joining the Court in May, 2017, after having served with the Stark County Prosecutor's Office for sixteen years.  She graduated cum laude from the University of Akron with a B.A. degree in 1996.  She received her J.D. from the University of Akron in 2000. Teresa Dolan is Judge King's Judicial Administrative Assistant.  She graduated from Stark State with a degree in computer science.  She can be reached at  330.451.7447

Administrative Judge

Kevin W. Popham

Judge Popham was elected to his term on the Fifth District Court of Appeals on 2/10/2025.  He graduated from Capital University Law School in 1996 and served as a staff attorney and Magistrate at the Court of Claims of Ohio, and as an Ohio Assistant Attorney General under Betty Montgomery.  He spent 15 years in private practice defending physicians, nurses and healthcare facilities in medical malpractice litigation.  He served the last eight plus years as a senior trial attorney at Nationwide Insurance, where he handled all complex litigation, including construction, association law, agricultural, personal injury, trucking and premises liability among other areas. He is a retired U. S. Army Captain, having served 20 years in the Army Reserve as both an enlisted soldier and officer.  He is a former member of the Liberty Township Zoning Commission and the Delaware County Republican Party central and executive committees. Judge Popham is a graduate of the Patrick J. Tiberi Leadership Institute, a member of the Federalist Society, the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels and the National Rifle Association.  He is also a Fellow of the Ohio Bar Foundation.

Judge Popham was elected to his term on the Fifth District Court of Appeals on 2/10/2025.  He graduated from Capital University Law School in 1996 and served as a staff attorney and Magistrate at the Court of Claims of Ohio, and as an Ohio Assistant Attorney General under Betty Montgomery.  He spent 15 years in private practice defending physicians, nurses and healthcare facilities in medical malpractice litigation.  He served the last eight plus years as a senior trial attorney at Nationwide Insurance, where he handled all complex litigation, including construction, association law, agricultural, personal injury, trucking and premises liability among other areas. He is a retired U. S. Army Captain, having served 20 years in the Army Reserve as both an enlisted soldier and officer.  He is a former member of the Liberty Township Zoning Commission and the Delaware County Republican Party central and executive committees. Judge Popham is a graduate of the Patrick J. Tiberi Leadership Institute, a member of the Federalist Society, the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels and the National Rifle Association.  He is also a Fellow of the Ohio Bar Foundation.

Judge

William B. Hoffman

Judge William B. Hoffman has served on The Fifth District Court of Appeals since February 1, 1991. Prior to joining this court, Judge Hoffman served three years as a Canton Municipal Court Judge; ten years as a Canton prosecuting attorney; and engaged in the private practice of law for eleven years. Judge Hoffman has served by assignment on the Ohio Supreme Court on numerous occasions. Judge Hoffman is a graduate of the College of Wooster and The University of Akron School of Law. Judge Hoffman is married and has two adult children. He and his wife are members of the Canton Baptist Temple. Suzanne Trocki Longbrake is a Staff Attorney for Judge Hoffman. She graduated cum laude from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in May, 1995. She has been Judge Hoffman's Staff Attorney since May, 1997. Prior to joining Judge Hoffman in the Fifth District Court of Appeals, Suzanne worked as the Judicial Attorney for the Honorable Judge Jane Bond on the Summit County Court of Common Pleas. Ruth Anne Dingwell became a Staff Attorney for Judge Hoffman in 2017.  She graduated summa cum laude from Malone College in 1987 and summa cum laude from the University of Akron in 1990.  Ruth Anne served the court from 1990 through 2017 as Staff Attorney for Judge John R. Milligan, Judge W. Don Reader, Judge W. Scott Gwin, Judge Julie A. Edwards and Judge Craig R. Baldwin. Rita Nicholson is Judge Hoffman's Judicial Assistant.  Prior to working with Judge Hoffman, Rita worked for Job and Family Services - Children Services Division, Stark County Commissioners, Judge Julie A. Edwards and Stark County Family Court.  Rita can be reached at 330/451-7448.

Judge William B. Hoffman has served on The Fifth District Court of Appeals since February 1, 1991. Prior to joining this court, Judge Hoffman served three years as a Canton Municipal Court Judge; ten years as a Canton prosecuting attorney; and engaged in the private practice of law for eleven years. Judge Hoffman has served by assignment on the Ohio Supreme Court on numerous occasions. Judge Hoffman is a graduate of the College of Wooster and The University of Akron School of Law. Judge Hoffman is married and has two adult children. He and his wife are members of the Canton Baptist Temple. Suzanne Trocki Longbrake is a Staff Attorney for Judge Hoffman. She graduated cum laude from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in May, 1995. She has been Judge Hoffman's Staff Attorney since May, 1997. Prior to joining Judge Hoffman in the Fifth District Court of Appeals, Suzanne worked as the Judicial Attorney for the Honorable Judge Jane Bond on the Summit County Court of Common Pleas. Ruth Anne Dingwell became a Staff Attorney for Judge Hoffman in 2017.  She graduated summa cum laude from Malone College in 1987 and summa cum laude from the University of Akron in 1990.  Ruth Anne served the court from 1990 through 2017 as Staff Attorney for Judge John R. Milligan, Judge W. Don Reader, Judge W. Scott Gwin, Judge Julie A. Edwards and Judge Craig R. Baldwin. Rita Nicholson is Judge Hoffman's Judicial Assistant.  Prior to working with Judge Hoffman, Rita worked for Job and Family Services - Children Services Division, Stark County Commissioners, Judge Julie A. Edwards and Stark County Family Court.  Rita can be reached at 330/451-7448.

Judge

Craig Baldwin

Judge Craig Baldwin was appointed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals in 2013. He was elected to the position in 2014 and re-elected in 2016 and 2022. Prior to his time on the appellate court, Judge Baldwin served eight years as a judge in the Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division. An attorney since 1992, Judge Baldwin was a partner with the law firm of Jones, Norpell, List, Miller and Howarth. In 2001 he was appointed by the Licking County Commissioners as director of the Licking County Child Support Enforcement Agency until his election as judge in 2004. He was re-elected as judge in 2010. Judge Baldwin obtained his Juris Doctor from Capital University, Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio University and pursued graduate degree work in public administration at Ohio University. Judge Baldwin has served by assignment on the Supreme Court of Ohio. Judge Baldwin is a former chair of the Ohio Supreme Court's Commission on the Rules of Superintendence.  In 2012 he was appointed to the Ohio Supreme Court's Task Force on the Funding of Ohio Courts. He is currently a member and former chair of the Ohio Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on Case Management, and a member of the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism. Judge Baldwin is also a frequent instructor at the Ohio Judicial College. Judge Baldwin is a member of the Newark-Heath Rotary and a board member of Licking Memorial Hospital. He is married and has two adult children. Melissa Ulrich is a staff attorney for Judge Baldwin.  She graduated from the University of Akron School of Law and was admitted to the practice of law in 1990, and was admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1992.  Melissa spent many years of her legal career working in private practice, worked for several years as Lead Faculty and Assistant Professor of Paralegal Studies at the University of Akron, and has worked as a magistrate in the Stark County Probate Court. BRADLEY RYAN is one of Judge Baldwin's Staff Attorneys.  He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Miami University, an MBA from Bowling Green State University, graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law, and received his LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center.  He previously served as Tax Counsel for Congressman Jim Renacci, and as an Assistant District Attorney in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Brad was recently a Staff Attorney for Judge Wise. Christy Sayatovich is Judge Craig R. Baldwin's Judicial Administrative Assistant. She served as Judge Baldwin's Administrative Assistant at the Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division from 2005 to 2013. She previously worked at the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate.

Judge Craig Baldwin was appointed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals in 2013. He was elected to the position in 2014 and re-elected in 2016 and 2022. Prior to his time on the appellate court, Judge Baldwin served eight years as a judge in the Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division. An attorney since 1992, Judge Baldwin was a partner with the law firm of Jones, Norpell, List, Miller and Howarth. In 2001 he was appointed by the Licking County Commissioners as director of the Licking County Child Support Enforcement Agency until his election as judge in 2004. He was re-elected as judge in 2010. Judge Baldwin obtained his Juris Doctor from Capital University, Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio University and pursued graduate degree work in public administration at Ohio University. Judge Baldwin has served by assignment on the Supreme Court of Ohio. Judge Baldwin is a former chair of the Ohio Supreme Court's Commission on the Rules of Superintendence.  In 2012 he was appointed to the Ohio Supreme Court's Task Force on the Funding of Ohio Courts. He is currently a member and former chair of the Ohio Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on Case Management, and a member of the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism. Judge Baldwin is also a frequent instructor at the Ohio Judicial College. Judge Baldwin is a member of the Newark-Heath Rotary and a board member of Licking Memorial Hospital. He is married and has two adult children. Melissa Ulrich is a staff attorney for Judge Baldwin.  She graduated from the University of Akron School of Law and was admitted to the practice of law in 1990, and was admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1992.  Melissa spent many years of her legal career working in private practice, worked for several years as Lead Faculty and Assistant Professor of Paralegal Studies at the University of Akron, and has worked as a magistrate in the Stark County Probate Court. BRADLEY RYAN is one of Judge Baldwin's Staff Attorneys.  He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Miami University, an MBA from Bowling Green State University, graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law, and received his LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center.  He previously served as Tax Counsel for Congressman Jim Renacci, and as an Assistant District Attorney in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Brad was recently a Staff Attorney for Judge Wise. Christy Sayatovich is Judge Craig R. Baldwin's Judicial Administrative Assistant. She served as Judge Baldwin's Administrative Assistant at the Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division from 2005 to 2013. She previously worked at the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate.

Judge

Robert G. Montgomery

Judge Montgomery was elected to the Fifth District Court of Appeal and assumed his role on February 9, 2025. Judge Montgomery  graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.  He received his Juris Doctor from Capital University in 1996. Judge Montgomery operated his own law practice and served in public positions including Franklin County Recorder.  He was elected Judge in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, Probate Division where he served as presiding judge.  He started the first Public Guardian Program in the State of Ohio by lobbying legislature to adopt a pilot program in Franklin County which is now statewide. He started the Probate Court Resource Center to provide free legal counsel for small estates  and a Mediation Pilot Program at the Court. He was a member of the Ohio Association Of Probate Judges and served as First Vice President as well as various other positions with that Association.

Judge Montgomery was elected to the Fifth District Court of Appeal and assumed his role on February 9, 2025. Judge Montgomery  graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.  He received his Juris Doctor from Capital University in 1996. Judge Montgomery operated his own law practice and served in public positions including Franklin County Recorder.  He was elected Judge in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, Probate Division where he served as presiding judge.  He started the first Public Guardian Program in the State of Ohio by lobbying legislature to adopt a pilot program in Franklin County which is now statewide. He started the Probate Court Resource Center to provide free legal counsel for small estates  and a Mediation Pilot Program at the Court. He was a member of the Ohio Association Of Probate Judges and served as First Vice President as well as various other positions with that Association.

Judge

David M. Gormley

David Gormley joined the Fifth District Court of Appeals in February 2025 after serving for ten years as a judge in the general division of the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County and for seven years as a judge on the Delaware Municipal Court. He earlier served as the State Solicitor of Ohio in the Ohio Attorney General’s office, as the in-house legal counsel at the Supreme Court of Ohio, as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Delaware County, as an associate at the Jenner & Block law firm in Chicago, and as a law clerk for Judge Albert Engel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Judge Gormley earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and his law degree at Harvard University.

David Gormley joined the Fifth District Court of Appeals in February 2025 after serving for ten years as a judge in the general division of the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County and for seven years as a judge on the Delaware Municipal Court. He earlier served as the State Solicitor of Ohio in the Ohio Attorney General’s office, as the in-house legal counsel at the Supreme Court of Ohio, as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Delaware County, as an associate at the Jenner & Block law firm in Chicago, and as a law clerk for Judge Albert Engel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Judge Gormley earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and his law degree at Harvard University.