Title: In re Disqualification of Kimbler

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as In re Disqualification of Kimbler, 88 Ohio St.3d 1217, 1999-Ohio-13.] 
 
 
 
 
 
IN RE DISQUALIFICATION OF KIMBLER. 
RICKBRODT v. RICKBRODT. 
[Cite as In re Disqualification of Kimbler (1999), 88 Ohio St.3d 1217.] 
Judges — Affidavit of disqualification — Disqualification of judge not warranted 
by mere fact that attorney for one party was former municipal court bailiff 
of the judge — Ruling of law that is adverse to affiant does not demonstrate 
bias or prejudice. 
(No. 99-AP-115 — Decided December 8, 1999.) 
ON AFFIDAVIT OF DISQUALIFICATION in Medina County Court of Common Pleas 
case No. 98 CIV 0354. 
 
MOYER, C.J.  This affidavit of disqualification filed by Becky Blair, counsel 
for defendant Diana E. Rickbrodt, seeks the disqualification of Judge James L. 
Kimbler from further proceedings regarding the above-captioned case. 
 
Affiant claims that Judge Kimbler should be disqualified from this case 
because he has a “special relationship” with counsel for the plaintiff, Steve C. 
Bailey.  This alleged relationship arises from the fact that plaintiff’s counsel served 
as Judge Kimbler’s municipal court bailiff from 1986 until 1989.  Without specific 
evidence to support affiant’s claim of a special relationship, I cannot conclude that 
 
 
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disqualification of Judge Kimbler is warranted solely because attorney Bailey 
previously was employed by Judge Kimbler. 
 
Affiant further contends that Judge Kimbler’s disqualification is warranted 
because he granted plaintiff Christopher Rickbrodt’s motion for a protective order 
without affording affiant notice of and an opportunity to be heard on the motion.  
The matter raised by affiant is a legal ruling subject to review on appeal.  The fact 
that the ruling may have been adverse to affiant does not demonstrate bias or 
prejudice on the part of Judge Kimbler. 
 
For these reasons, the affidavit of disqualification is found not well taken 
and denied.  The case shall proceed before Judge Kimbler.