Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced this week the appointment of Republican civil litigator Jeffrey Ruple to the general division of the Lake County Court of Common Pleas.
Ruple, of Kirtland, Ohio, will take the seat formerly held by Republican Judge Eugene Lucci. To retain the seat, he must win the general election in November 2024. Lucci was elected to the Eleventh District Court of Appeals, leaving his seat on the Lake County Court of Common Pleas vacant. Judge-designee Rupe will assume office on April 24th.
Ruple has represented big firms, startups, and private individuals over his 26 years as a civil litigator. He was a founding partner of his Cleveland legal company, Cardenas, Ruple & Kurt, LLC. Ruple previously worked as a partner in the Cleveland law firm Buckley King LPA. He started working as an associate at Dayton’s Falke & Dunphy, LLC. Additionally, he worked with the Cleveland-based Baughman & Associates Co., L.P.A. and Murphy & Lyons, P.S.C. in Covington, Kentucky.
He is authorized to practice law in federal courts in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and the United States 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. He is also admitted to the bars of Ohio and Kentucky.
Ruple received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton School of Law. Before earning his law degree, he graduated from Denison University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and history.
Ruple describes his litigation techniques as “thorough and efficient” and “with no room for surprises.”
Among his other legal accomplishments, Ruple was a member of the Ohio State Bar Association‘s founding committee, which created the exam for lawyers seeking certification as specialists in insurance coverage law.
Ruple previously served as a councilman for the City of Kirtland and currently serves as the president of the Kirtland City Council and is a board member of the non-profit organization Marilyn’s Voice. He belongs to the Kentucky Bar Association, Lake County Bar Association, and Ohio State Bar Association.
He has actively supported and worked on numerous local and national Republican campaigns, including two presidential campaigns, “Lawyers for Bush” and “Lawyers for Romney.” He also serves on the Lake County, Ohio, Republican Central Committee. Ruple has also supported Republican candidates in resolving matters with election law, including a reported lawsuit before the Ohio Supreme Court.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Jeff Ruple” by Cardenas Ruple & Kurt.Â
