Robert R. Cupp, Justice
Jan. 2, 2007 - present
Prior to his election to the Supreme Court of Ohio in November 2006, Justice Robert R. Cupp served on the Ohio Court of Appeals, 3rd Appellate District, which comprises 17 counties in northwest and west central Ohio. He was selected presiding judge of the court in 2005 and administrative judge in 2004.
Additionally, Justice Cupp engaged in the private practice of law in Lima for more than 25 years and is a member of the Allen County and Ohio State Bar Associations. He co-authored the book, [Legal] Ethics and Discipline in Ohio, published by the Ohio State Bar Foundation in 1977.
In the Senate, Justice Cupp served as president pro tempore, the second-highest Senate leader, from 1997 through 2000. As chairman of the Civil Justice Subcommittee, and a 10-year member of the Judiciary Committee, he focused on civil and criminal justice issues. Further, as a member of the Education Committee, he worked extensively on education and school finance improvement issues. As Chairman of the Commerce and Labor Committee, he worked to improve the state's workers' compensation system. Additionally, he served on the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee and the Finance, Agriculture, Ways and Means, State and Local Government, and Legislative Information Systems Committees.
Justice Cupp twice received the Ohio State Bar Association's Distinguished Service Award. He also received the Ohio Association of Elected Officials' Robert E. Hughes Memorial Award in recognition of this outstanding contribution to the improvement of Ohio's election process. He is the recipient of the State 4-H Alumni Award.
In addition to his current judicial service, Justice Cupp serves as a member of the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management by appointment of Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer. He has been a visiting professor at Ohio Northern University, his alma mater, teaching judicial process and leadership. He is a past president of the 13-county Black Swamp Area Boy Scout Council; a member of the Lima Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow) and the board of trustees of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, serving as NCA president from July 2008 to June 2009.
Justice Cupp was born in rural Allen County and grew up on his family's farm. He earned his political science degree with high distinction from Ohio Northern University in 1973 and his law degree from Ohio Northern's Pettit College of Law in 1976. As a student at ONU, he served as president of the Student Senate.
Justice Cupp's wife, Libby, is an educator. They have two sons, Matthew and Ryan, both of whom are Eagle Scouts.
Last day of current term: Jan. 1, 2013.
