Judge K. J. Montgomery

Biographical Information

Education
•••Cleveland Marshall College of Law (Juris Doctor) - 1977, Cleveland, Ohio
•••Heidelberg College - (B.M.) - 1974 Salutatorian, Tiffin, Ohio
•••Mentor High School - 1970 - 10th standing in Class, Mentor, Ohio

Experience
1/94 - Present
Judge for the Shaker Heights Municipal Court, Shaker Heights, Ohio:
Duties include presiding judge for municipal court matters arising from the communities of Beachwood, Hunting Valley, Pepper Pike, Shaker Heights, and University Heights, handling approximately 14,000 cases annually; employing and managing a staff of 34 and operating a budget in excess of $2,000,000.00.

11/83 - 12/93
Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Shaker Heights, Ohio:
Duties included representation of the City in all criminal matters, code, ordinance and permit violations, preliminary hearings, bench and jury trial proceedings before Judge Paul R. Donaldson of the Shaker Heights Municipal Court; preparation and presentation of all criminal appellate work; participation in the ongoing update of police department rules and regulations so as to maintain accreditation; and preparation and presentation of periodic police training sessions.

2/82 - 12/93
Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Highland Heights, Ohio:
Duties included representation of the City in all criminal matters, code, ordinance and permit violations, preliminary hearings, bench and jury trial proceedings before Judge William Aurelius and his successor, Judge Robert Grogan, of the Lyndhurst Municipal Court (generally bi-monthly court dates); preparation and presentation of all criminal appellate work, participation in the ongoing update of police department rules and regulations; and preparation and presentation of periodic police training sessions.

11/77 - 12/93
Attorney at Law, self employed:
Extensive experience in municipal law, including municipal legislation and litigation, appropriations, bond issues, O.C.R.C. and S.E.R.B. matters, various commission representations, and appellate work. Further experience included general practice in landlord and tenant, domestic relations, closely-held corporate and commercial transactions, criminal defense, and probate matters.

1/78 - 7/88
Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Richmond Heights, Ohio:
Duties included representation of the City in all criminal matters, code, ordinance and permit violations, preliminary hearings, bench and jury trial proceedings before Judge William Aurelius and his successor, Judge Robert Grogan, of the Lyndhurst Municipal Court; preparation and presentation of all criminal appellate work for the City; preparation of minimum jail standards; and preparation and presentation of monthly police training sessions.

7/77 - 7/88
Advisor to Tax Department/Tax Administrator for the City of Bedford Heights, Ohio:
Duties included review of municipal income tax returns, enforcement of the municipal tax ordinance, advising the income tax department on all legal matters and establishment of rules and regulations for collection of municipal income tax funds from resident individuals, corporations and landlords.

11/77 - 7/88
Assistant Law Director for the City of Bedford Heights, Ohio:
Duties included extensive involvement in the day-to-day municipal government operations and legal matters. The assistant law director served as legal advisor to the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and Civil Service Commission. Major litigation experience was gained in areas of union and S.E.R.B. issues, E.E.O.C. and O.C.R.C. matters, appropriations, sewer districting and general zoning matters.

1/79 - 11/79
Chief Legal Counsel and Advisor for the Bedford Heights Ohio Charter Review Commission:
Duties included preparation, review and amendment of City Charter provisions. Commission expired in accordance with law on November 7, 1979.

10/74 - 11/77
Municipal Law Clerkship:
Law clerkship with a municipal attorney representing Bedford Heights, Richmond Heights, the Village of Hudson and the Warrensville Heights Civil Service Commission, including experience and training in the general practice of law with particular emphasis on the workings of municipal government and criminal prosecution. Duties included working in and with the Police Department, Building Department and Administrative Offices of the City of Richmond Heights; preparing legal documents for municipalities; attending council and civil service meetings; substituting for the Richmond Heights prosecutor at Lyndhurst Municipal Court; preparing and presenting police training sessions; assisting in the update of police department rules and regulations following the 1974 Ohio Criminal Code revisions and preparing appellate briefs for the municipalities. Other duties included drafting and preparing agreements and pleadings for matters of general law and for litigation.

Other Activities
Member of:
•••Association of Muni/County Judges of Ohio
•••Cleveland Metro Bar Association
•••Cleveland Marshall Law Alumni Association
•••Cuyahoga County Corrections Planning Board
•••Cuyahoga County Domestic Violence Prevention Task Force
•••Friends of Shaker Library
•••Heidelberg College Women's Club
•••Justice System Reform's Agency Council
•••League of Women Voters
•••Leadership Coalition-Greater Cleveland Reentry Strategy Committee - Co-chair
•••Lomond Community Association
•••MHAC State Board Committee Member
•••Moreland on the Move
•••National Alliance for Mentally Ill - (NAMI)
•••Nisi Prius
•••Northern Ohio Municipal Judges' Association
•••Ohio Judicial Conference
•••Ohio Domestic Violence Network 
•••Shaker Band Boosters 
•••Shaker Heights City Schools' Fund Raising Committee
•••Shaker Heights Democratic Club
•••Shaker Heights League of Women Voters
•••Shaker Heights Youth Center
•••Shaker Band Boosters

Statutory Agent:
•••Shaker Heights Council of Parent-Teacher Organization, Inc.

Past Committee Member:
•••Executive Committee of the Judicial Conference of the 8th Judicial District
•••Room Parent: Boulevard Elementary School

Past Social Chairman:
•••Cuyahoga County Law Directors Association

Past Chairperson:
•••Cuyahoga County Mental Health Court Initiative
•••Boulevard School 80th Anniversary Celebration

Past Legislation Chairman:
•••Incorporated Shaker Heights Schools P.T.O., and obtained 501(c)(3) status for the organization and its affiliate schools.

Frequent speaker to Police, Kiwanis, Women's and other community and civic organizations

Recipient of the Connections' 2014 Marthea Infield Service of Excellence Award

Recipient of the Recovery Resources' 2013 Helen K. Jones Woman of Strength Award

Recipient of the MADD 2009 Driving Force for Change Award

Honoree of the 2008 Cleveland Rape Crisis Center's Sing Out for work with survivors of sexual violence

Recipient of the 2008 NAMI-Greater Cleveland Community Service Award in the Community Leader category

Recipient of 2003 NAMI-Metro Cleveland's Community Leadership Award for work establishing the model suburban mental health court system for mentally ill offenders