Someone named “Emily” responding to my post — Susan Solle Has The Experience And Maturity We Need In A Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge — She Has My Vote — saying the K. George Kordalis would make a better judge than Susan Solle.  I responded asking for more information and I said that at age 33, Mr. Kordalis just seems much too young to aspire to be elected judge.

Emily — thanks for responding.

To make this post, I read everything I could concerning Susan Solle and K. George Kordalis. I wanted to give a fair report, so I just repeated the information in the candidate’s own words as shown in their web-sites — Solle and Kordalis — and Vote411 Voter Guide.

The Vote411 Voter Guide, asks the question: “List your judicial experience (courts and years)” and this is Mr. Kordalis’ reply: “Currently I have not had experience as a judicial officer. Nonetheless, I know that I possess the experience, work-ethic, and temperament that is needed to be Common Pleas Judge.”

In this statement, Mr. Kordalis is claiming that his work-ethic, and temperament are what makes him prepared to be a judge. That, to me, seems quite a stretch. Mr. Kordalis appears to be a nice young man and I wish him well but, at age 33, my conclusion is that Kordalis Lacks The Age, Background And Experience Needed To Serve As Common Pleas Judge.

I agree with you, that, “years in practice do not always equal relevant experience.” Of course not. But you should agree with me that insufficient years of practice produces insufficient experience. And for a judge, I think experience is essential. Growth in any profession comes through experience and, all things being equal, an attorney with eighteen years of successful experience (Solle) is much more likely to be ready for judgeship than an attorney with eight years (Kordalis).

An attorney, at age 33, who aspires to be a judge would need to be a super star. Mr. Kordalis just doesn’t have the credentials to make such a claim and he doesn’t try. His website shows him as just another young and ambitious attorney starting out. He evidently didn’t even graduate with honors from U.D. Law School — his website says nothing about his academic work. Susan Solle, on the other hand, writes that she “graduated high school from Kettering Fairmont, 1986; BA from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA, Magna Cum Laude, 1994; JD from University of Dayton School of Law, Cum Laude, 1999.”

It’s OK to not graduate with honors. And I imagine you could find a lot of attorneys and judges with great careers who didn’t have stellar academic accomplishments. But, without such a background, I’ve got to think that seeking election to a judgeship at age 33 shows amazing over-confidence and such a decision it is evidence of bad judgement, or cynicism for the process — or both. Maybe he listened to some bad advice.

I first met Susan Solle at a South of Dayton Democratic Club Meeting and I was very impressed that she is very genuine. I have complete confidence she will make a very good judge. I have her sign in my front yard.

Since you’ve not identified yourself with your last name, I guess you could be a 350 pound man sitting on your bed just writing stuff. But please respond.

Finally, please clear up a mystery. You claim that Mr. Kordalis “has invaluable, hands on experience in the very Court he will be presiding in.” But, here is the mystery: This claim of invaluable experience — “in the very Court he will be presiding in” — is no-where to be found on Mr. Kordalis’ web-site. It is no-where to be found on Vote411 Voter Guide. In fact, again, in answer to the question, “List your judicial experience (courts and years),” Susan Solle give a detailed answer telling of her experience, but Mr. Kordalis writes: “Currently I have not had experience as a judicial officer. Nonetheless, I know that I possess the experience, work-ethic, and temperament that is needed to be Common Pleas Judge.”

Why would Mr. Kordalis fail to mention the experience that you claim?

In 2016, Hillary Clinton lost Montgomery County to Donald Trump by only 893 votes (Out of 261, 989 votes cast).

We know that Democratic turn-out is the key for Democrats to win elections and the question for the Montgomery County Democratic Party is finding a way to increase turn-out in the strongest Democratic precincts in the county.

For the entire county, turn-out was 70.3%, but, Democratic precincts had a lower turn-out than the average and Republican precincts had a higher turn-out.

Hillary won 116 precincts of the 360 precincts in the county. The turn-out for these 116 precincts was 62.4%. 

Trump won 244 precincts and in Trump’s precincts the turn-out was 73.4%.

Comparing the Top 40 Precincts

The forty strongest Democratic precincts voted for Hillary at an amazing rate of 94.8% — Turn-out in these strong Democratic precincts was 62.1%

The forty strongest Republican precincts voted for Trump at a rate of 76.1%  — Turn-out for these strong Republican precincts was 74.7%

So, here is the calculation:  If the 40 strongest Democratic precincts had voted at the same turn-out percentage as the 40 strongest Republican precincts, 4,552 more votes would have been cast.in those strong Democratic precincts. If these additional votes also had matched the rate for this precincts — 94.8% for Hillary — the Democratic ticket would have had a net gain of 4078 votes.

The 40 Strongest Democratic Precincts (In Descending Order)

I am telling my neighbors and friends to vote for Susan Solle for Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge. I have her yard sign in my yard. Solle has the proven experience, maturity and temperament that will make her a wise and fair judge.

Voters have a choice for Montgomery County Common Pleas Court judge — between Susan Solle and K. George Kordalis. The responsibilities for this position: To preside at trials of both civil and criminal cases; to supervise the jury commission, grand jury, and other departments of the court. Term of office: 6 years.

One reason Solle gets my vote is she is has deep and significant experience in the legal profession. Solle is 51 years old and has been practicing law since 1999. Kordalis is 32 years old and has been practicing law since 2012. Both are graduates of U.D. Law school.

Kordalis writes on his website: “I was born and raised in Montgomery County. I Graduated from Centerville High School and continued on to graduate from The Ohio State University. After college, I returned to Dayton to attend The University of Dayton School of Law. Upon graduating Law School, I started my own law firm, Kordalis Law Office, LLC. I have built a successful practice representing members of the community in criminal and civil matters in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court as well as many other Courts throughout Ohio.”

Solle writes: “Graduated high school from Kettering Fairmont, 1986; BA from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA, Magna Cum Laude, 1994; JD from University of Dayton School of Law, Cum Laude, 1999;  Experience Practicing civil litigation attorney for 18 years, the past 16 at Dinsmore & Shohl. Staff attorney at 2nd District Court of Appeals 1999-2002. Law clerk for Montgomery County Common Pleas Court 1998-1999. Insurance Claim Representative with Prudential Insurance Company 1987-1996. Typed Montgomery County Court transcripts from 1987-2002.”

Solle was unopposed in the Democratic Primary and won with 26,980 votes.  Kordalis was unopposed in the Republican Primary and won with 21,877 votes.

Solle ran for election to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas in 2014. She received 46.1 percent of the vote, but was defeated by incumbent Judge Dennis J. Adkins. Solle is an attorney at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, helping people with Business Litigation issues. Dinsmore & Shohl LLP has an office in Dayton, Ohio, serving the local community. Solle was selected to Rising Stars for 2006 – 2007. Rising Stars is an exclusive list of top-rated attorneys in specific practice areas who were chosen after thorough evaluation of numerous criteria.

K. George Kordalis is an attorney providing legal services covering Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: DUI / DWI and Personal Injury – General: Plaintiff and Family Law. Kordalis was selected to Rising Stars for 2020 – 2021.

Susan Solle

List your judicial experience (Courts and Years)

Vote411 Voter Guide gave candidates the opportunity to tell in their own words about their experience and motivation:

Susan D. Solle: “I served as an Acting Judge in Montgomery County Municipal Court from 2010-2014 handling misdemeanor criminal, felony arraignments and small civil cases. I worked as a staff attorney for the Honorable Judge Brogan on the Second District Court Appeals from 1999-2002, writing decisions for criminal, civil, domestic relations, juvenile and probate appeals from all of the courts in six counties. I assisted the Honorable Judge David Sunderland of the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court as a law clerk while in law school from 1998-1999, also writing decisions in all areas of the law handled by the Court. I interned with the Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court during law school in 1998.”

K. George Kordalis: “Currently I have not had experience as a judicial officer. Nonetheless, I know that I possess the experience, work-ethic, and temperament that is needed to be Common Pleas Judge.”

 Why are you running for this particular court seat?

K. George Kordalis

Susan D. Solle: “The Honorable Judge Gorman, whose is retiring at the end of this year, is someone I have looked up to since I was in law school and working in the Common Pleas Court. I am running for her open seat because I am the right person to continue her tradition of excellence in the Court. Practicing in various courts outside of Montgomery County, I have encountered too many jurists who do not have the experience, temperament or dedication to effectively handle their cases. I have all three. I have the experience and intelligence to fully grasp every case that will be litigated in my courtroom. I also have the right temperament to treat each litigant and attorney who appears before me with the respect and kindness they deserve, while still maintaining the necessary strength and control. Finally, I understand the demands of this position, and will work hard to ensure that every person or entity appearing in my court will receive the attention necessary to bring their matter to timely and proper resolution. This county deserves a judge who is experienced and dedicated, and I am the candidate who will bring these qualities to the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.”

K. George Kordalis: “I am running because Montgomery County needs judges with experience, that are hardworking, and that have the right temperament to get things done fairly, consistently and efficiently. I pride myself on being able to listen to both sides fairly and to think carefully before speaking and making decisions.

I believe it is important to have experienced, knowledgeable judges to handle the extensive and diverse Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas caseload. I also believe that judges should promote public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary without regard to a person’s race, gender, or other personal characteristics.

In private practice I have always attempted to treat everyone fairly and with courtesy and respect. If elected, I will ensure this occurs in my courtroom. My wife, Kasey Kordalis, and myself are lifelong residents of this community. This community has given my family so much and I will work hard to make sure that Montgomery County remains a great place to live.”

So, there you have it. Kordalis says that we need “judges with experience, that are hardworking, and that have the right temperament to get things done fairly, consistently and efficiently.” I agree. That is why I’m voting for Susan Solle.

Solle is an obviously better choice. She has the experience, maturity and temperament that we want in our judges. I’m thinking most voters will agree with me that, for the position of judge, citizens will be better served by a person with more experience and age than Kordalis has to offer. Kordalis seems a nice young man. He is getting his name out there at age 32. I’m betting that he has a bright future in the Republican Party. But, clearly, in this election, the better choice for who should be honored and trusted with the position of judge, by far, is Susan Solle.