Governor DeWine Appoints McDowell to Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced the appointment of Christopher McDowell to the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, General Division.

McDowell, of Cincinnati, will assume office on September 8, 2025 and will be taking the seat formerly held by Judge Tom Heekin, who has retired. He will serve the remainder of the unfinished term and will run for election in November 2026.

McDowell began his law career in 1994 when he served as a law clerk for Chief Justice Richard F. Neely of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. McDowell served as a Judge Advocate General in the US Army from 1994 to 2000. During his military career McDowell was posted to South Korea, Germany, Bosnia, and Kansas. McDowell served as both prosecution and defense counsel for the Army. Following this position, he worked as a partner for a major law firm until 2014. He currently is a partner with the law firm of Strauss Troy. He also serves as a prosecutor for the City of Wyoming, and the Village of Newtown.

In 1991, McDowell received a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Marshall University and received his Juris Doctor from West Virginia University College of Law in 1994.

Photo of McDowell

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