Robert A. Goering, a sitting Hamilton County Common Pleas Court judge since February 2021, is running for a second term in the Nov. 3 general election. The nonpartisan seat covers the General Division, with the term commencing Feb. 11.
Goering, who practiced family law for 35 years before joining the bench, said he is running because he has "the experience to handle the tough cases." He said he has handled thousands of cases, including jury trials, and has sentenced people convicted of murder and rape. The race is nonpartisan, but Goering said on his campaign website he is endorsed by the Hamilton County Republican Party and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 69.
Candidate information
- Office sought: Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge, General Division (Term Commencing 2/11)
- Education: BA, Denison University (cum laude, 1982); JD, Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University (1986)
- Family: Married with older children. His wife works for the Department of Justice.
- Admitted to practice: 1986, in Ohio, the U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of Ohio and Eastern District of Kentucky, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit
Experience and public service
Goering served as Hamilton County Treasurer from 1991 to 2021, winning seven elections starting in 1992. During that time, he also served as president of the Hamilton County Board of Revision, Budget Commission and Investment Advisory Committee from 1992 to 2021.
He incorporated the Hamilton County Land Bank in 2016 and served as its president until 2021. He was a partner at Goering & Goering LLC from 1986 to 2021 and owned a small business from 1999 to 2021.
Since joining the bench, Goering has chaired the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Rules Committee since 2022. He is an adjunct professor of bankruptcy at Chase College of Law. He was elected as a Commercial Docket Judge to handle complex civil litigation.
On the issues
Handling tough cases: Goering cited presiding over the three-week murder trial known locally as the "Gender Reveal" case as evidence he can handle the job. The jury found both defendants guilty, and they were sentenced to long prison terms. All issues and convictions were upheld on appeal, according to Goering.
Reducing court delays: Goering said he keeps cases on a strict time schedule. He rules within two weeks of oral arguments and regularly reviews all cases, he said. His courtroom uses in-person and Zoom status conferences to keep cases moving.
Public finance background: Goering said his experience leading the county's Board of Revision, Budget Commission and Land Bank informed his judicial work. That background led to his election as a Commercial Docket Judge, he said.
Ensuring access: Goering said the best advice he ever received was to make sure all litigants get a day in court. He reads everything filed before hearings and allows all parties to speak and participate in their cases, he said.
