(Columbus, Ohio) – January 13, 2026 – The Ohio Supreme Court has suspended the law license of former Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze for two years after finding she improperly steered legal work to a close friend and romantic partner.
The Ohio Supreme Court sanctioned a former judge for ethical violations involving the assignment of high-stakes divorce cases and the appointment of a friend as a receiver and mediator.
- Leslie Ann Celebrezze’s law license is suspended for two years, effective immediately.
- The court found Celebrezze violated judicial rules by assigning herself to certain divorce cases.
- Celebrezze appointed her friend, Mark dottore, as a receiver or mediator in those cases.
- The court also found she misrepresented her relationship with Dottore during disciplinary proceedings.
The Ohio Supreme Court’s decision,announced today,found that Celebrezze violated rules governing judicial conduct,according to court documents.
What This Means for You
This case highlights the importance of judicial impartiality and the potential for conflicts of interest within the legal system. While this specific ruling directly impacts Celebrezze’s ability to practice law in Ohio, it serves as a reminder of the ethical standards expected of all judges and legal professionals. The public relies on the integrity of the courts, and rulings like this demonstrate the system’s capacity for self-correction when those standards are breached.
The court determined that Celebrezze improperly assigned herself to high-stakes divorce cases and subsequently appointed Mark Dottore as a receiver or mediator in those same cases. Court records show that Celebrezze also misrepresented the nature of her relationship with Dottore during the disciplinary proceedings.
The suspension, which is for two years, means Celebrezze is prohibited from practicing law in Ohio during that period. The court’s ruling is based on a finding that she violated several judicial rules, including those related to impartiality, conflicts of interest, and honesty.
Celebrezze previously faced a federal probe related to divorce cases, as reported in March 2025, but the outcome of that investigation remains unclear.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by The Columbus Dispatch and added self-reliant analysis and context.
Why: leslie Ann Celebrezze, a former Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Judge, faced scrutiny for ethical violations related to the handling of divorce cases.
Who: The key figures are Leslie Ann Celebrezze, Mark dottore (her friend and romantic partner), and the Ohio Supreme Court.
What: The Ohio Supreme Court suspended Celebrezze’s law license for two years after finding she improperly assigned herself to high-stakes divorce cases and appointed Dottore as a receiver or mediator, while also misrepresenting their relationship.
How did it end?: The Ohio supreme Court issued a ruling suspending celebrezze’s law license for two years, effective immediately. She is prohibited from practicing law in Ohio during this period. A previous federal probe remains unresolved.
