MANSFIELD — Judge Ron Spon saw something special in Steve McKinley when he hired him as a magistrate right of out law school school in 1998.
On Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Mike DeWine made it clear he sees something special also, selecting McKinley to replace Spon as the Richland County Juvenile Court judge.
“I was very excited to receive the phone call from the governor,” said McKinley, 52. “It was a thrill.”
McKinley was one of three candidates recommended to DeWine by the Richland County Republican Party Central Committee to replace Spon, a local judge for 26 years, who is retiring at the end of the month.
Others nominated were Karen Cannon and Mike Kemerer.
McKinley, who earned a bachelor’s degree in finance in 1990 from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., before going to law school, will finish Spon’s term, which concludes at the end of 2020. He is expected to run for re-election.
Spon’s official last day is Friday and McKinley could be sworn in as soon as Monday.
McKinley, an Ada, Ohio, native who earned his law degree at Regent University in Virginia, said DeWine told him he believes a juvenile court judge appointment is one of the most important he makes as governor.
“He said he believes I have a real passion for the work of protecting children and looking out for their interests,” McKinley said. “I do believe I have that passion. I am looking forward to serving the best interests of children in the community, and protecting the community, as well.”
When Spon hired McKinley, Richland County had one combined Domestic Relations/Juvenile Court Division. The courts were separated in 2005 with Spon going to Juvenile Court and McKinley remaining in Domestic Relations.
He has served as Judge Heather Cockley’s chief magistrate since 2011. A Bellville resident, McKinley said the two courts both serve the needs of children.
“It’s sort of a natural segue between Domestic Relations to Juvenile Court,” he said. “Some of the same issues we see in Domestic Relations are seen even more severely in Juvenile Court, drug abuse in particular. Hopefully, I can be of service to the court and the community in these areas.”
McKinley said his relationship with Spon was one of the questions he answered during the interview process.
“I was hired by Judge Spon out of law school because he saw I had a passion for doing legal work well. He wanted to help develop me as a young lawyer into a good, qualified judicial officer,” McKinley said.
McKinley said it was a bit unusual for a new law school graduate to immediately become a court magistrate. He said court rules now require an attorney have four years of experience before becoming a magistrate.
McKinley said he knows he has big legal shoes to fill.
“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to emulate Judge Spon’s concern for for young people,” he said. “He has done very well, and has been a good mentor to me. I hope I can continue to do his good work, surrounded by the good people on the juvenile court, and continue to serve the best interests of children.”
McKinley has been married to his wife, Ann, for 28 years. They have six children, ranging in age from 18 to 27. They also have one grandson.
“This is an opportunity to care for a lot more children than I already have,” he said. “I am excited about that.”
A past board member of Mansfield Rotary and the Clear Fork Valley Foundation, McKinley has been a youth and assistant high school soccer coach. He enjoys playing soccer, basketball, running and lifting weights.
