News

Judge David Hamilton will continue to serve as the administrative/presiding judge of the Akron Municipal Court for 2026. He was the administrative/presiding judge in both 2023 and 2025.

In this role, Judge Hamilton oversees the court’s administration, docket, and court calendar, as well as the observance of the rules of superintendence and the timely reporting and termination of all cases in the court.

Judge Hamilton was first elected to the bench in November 2019. He graduated from Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA), The University of Akron and Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley School of Law.

In addition to his caseload, Judge Hamilton created and runs two court-sponsored programs: Compassion, Opportunity, Mentoring, Purpose, Achievement, Success, Stepping forward (COMPASS) Program for males who are at high risk to reoffend and Raising the Bar for high school students wishing to learn more about law-related career opportunities.

“I appreciate my fellow Judges and our entire team at the Akron Municipal Court for placing their confidence in me once again this year,” Judge Hamilton said. “Under my leadership in 2023, we successfully relocated our courthouse and in 2025, we launched a new case management system and implemented a courtwide dress code policy. This year, we are working toward improving our on-site services through grant-funded technology and continuing to advance partnerships with social service agencies.”

Judge Hamilton, an avid runner who is the co-creator of the Solely Responsible Running Group, has been recognized several times for his leadership efforts locally. He was named to Crain’s Cleveland Business “Forty Under 40” list in 2019 and earned the “30 For The Future” award from the Greater Akron Chamber in 2020. In August 2022, he was presented with the Akron Urban League’s “Rising Star” award. He is a graduate of both Leadership Akron and Leadership Ohio.

He was appointed to the Ohio Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism in 2023 and serves as a Board Member for Leadership Akron.

Judge Hamilton was elected unanimously by the Akron Municipal Court Judges to fulfill this role for both 2025 and 2026.

Judge David Hamilton