Townhall: We Invite You to Come Ask Your Questions!
Event Topic: The State of State Trial Courts in Ohio: Public Safety in Hamilton County in 2025
Recent instances of violent crime in Cincinnati have grabbed headlines across the country this summer as concerns rise about public safety and perceived lawlessness in our community. Many are questioning the bail practices and criminal sentencing of Hamilton County judges as disturbing images are shared of mayhem on Cincinnati streets.
Judge Josh Berkowitz has served on the Hamilton County Municipal Court for the past ten years. He currently serves as the court's Presiding & Administrative Judge. Attorney Scott O'Reilly is a prosecutor and private attorney with more than two decades of experience practicing in courts throughout the region. Together, they will share their unique insights & perspectives on the state of criminal justice in Hamilton County, current Ohio law, and the issues confronting the judiciary and the citizenry concerning public safety.
About Judge Berkowitz
Judge Josh Berkowitz has been serving as our judge on the Hamilton County Municipal Court since 2015. He currently serves as the court's Presiding Judge, and he has earned a reputation as a judge who upholds the law, treats everyone fairly, and is committed to ensuring our safety.
A former felony prosecutor, Judge Berkowitz has a strong track record of holding dangerous criminals accountable and delivering justice for the victims of crime. Before taking the bench, Josh served as an Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor, aggressively prosecuting serious felony offenses including murder, sex crimes, drug trafficking, robberies, and burglaries. He also served as the elected Law Director for the City of Norwood. As the city's chief legal officer, Josh provided legal advice and counsel to public officials and city departments.
Judge Berkowitz was born and raised in Cincinnati. He studied History at the Ohio State University and earned a law degree at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Following the bar exam, Josh practiced criminal defense and later joined the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office in Columbus. In 2008, Josh returned to Cincinnati and joined the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office.
Judge Berkowitz and his wife, Beth, live in Norwood, where they are raising their three children. Josh currently serves as a board member for the Hamilton County Law Library Resource Board. Josh is active in his family's church and his children's school and extracurricular activities. He also volunteers his time for a number of local organizations such as the Yellow Ribbon Support Center.
A devoted husband and father, Judge Berkowitz has dedicated his career to making Hamilton County a safer place for everyone to live, work, and raise a family.
Judge Joshua Berkowitz
In the News
Judge Berkowitz recently wrote an Opinion article for Cincinnati.com entitled “Hamilton’s [County’s] Clerk of Courts Broke the Law. The Ohio Supreme Court called him out.” Read it HERE. The Judge was also on the Bill Cunningham program. Listen to the discussion HERE. He also appeared on the Mike Allen Show. Listen HERE.
Website: http://keepjudgeberkowitz.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JudgeBerkowitz
About Attorney O’Reilly
I was born in Cincinnati in 1976 while growing up in Finneytown. Sports were a large part of my upbringing as I played soccer, basketball, and swimming through high school. A little-known fact was I also had the misguided privilege of serving as the president of the orchestra. I wish I could say that I excelled as a cellist, but I was far from average, but I certainly enjoyed the experience.
In college I attended Miami University where I studied Operations Management and History ultimately receiving a bachelor’s degree in science and a bachelor’s degree in arts in 1998. I was a lifeguard throughout my undergraduate studies and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity. While in school, two friends of mine from my small high school were murdered in separate incidents almost a year apart. This was a turning point for me, as I had always anticipated heading into the business world in search of wealth. Instead, their deaths left me with a profound sense of anger and desire to pursue justice.
This led me to attend Salmon P. Chase College of Law graduating with my law degree in 2002. I had been clerking for a Common Pleas Judge in Clermont County, Ohio and quickly was hired by the Prosecutor there. I served as a Clermont County Prosecutor from 2002-2021. I was responsible for founding the Family Violence Task Force which ultimately became known as Little Fork. I was honored to receive numerous awards as a prosecutor including the 2017 William F. Schenck Victim Justice Visionary Award. I also received the Cancer Family Care Unsung Hero award in 2017 which has significant meaning as the mother of my children Emily O’Reilly died from Cholangiocarcinoma in January 2016.
Attorney Scott O’Reilly
In 2013 I formed a small group that consisted of a few detectives and myself with the intention of reviewing cases for prosecution. This quickly morphed into a review for not only potential criminal intervention but wrap around services for families affected by sexual and physical violence. This culminated in the creation of the Little Fork Family Advocacy Center, which was formed in 2019, and opened its doors in August 2023. I currently hold the title of Executive Director of the center. In addition, I teach Business Law at the University of Cincinnati, am a part time prosecutor for Brown County, and of-counsel at the Law Firm of Engel & Martin located in Mason, Ohio.
As a devoted parent of three children, Gabby (12), Grace (12) & Henry (14), he now shares his life with his partner, Lisa.
Event Details
Date: Thursday September 18th. Meet and Greet 6:30-7:00pm. Townhall 7:00-8:30pm.
Location: EmpowerU Studio
300 Great Oaks Drive - Side Entrance
Cincinnati, OH 45241
Directions:
Take I-275 to Mosteller Road Exit #44,
Stay in Left Lane – Turn left (South) 0.2 Miles (1st or 2nd traffic light).
Turn left on Kemper Road 0.7 miles (2nd traffic light) .
Turn left onto Enterprise.
Entering Scarlet Oaks Campus, turn-veer right at Scarlet Oaks Sign.
Turn left (2nd driveway) at stop sign, Sign in front of you will say Scarlet Oaks - Great Oaks Campus
Stay straight and enter at side of building, Look for EmpowerU sign.
Attendance: No charge. Reservations are on the EmpowerU site. (Use button below to transfer to EmpowerU.)