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Judge James M. Ronk (Bio) |
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James M. Ronk (Bio)
Judge Ronk is a native of Knox County. His educational background includes degrees from Fredericktown High School and Denison University. He is also a cum laude graduate of The Ohio State University College of Law.
Ronk’s work experience as an attorney began with five years on active duty in the United States Air Force where he served as a Judge Advocate. Judge Ronk remained in the Air Force Reserve for an additional 19 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He also served the State of Ohio as both an Assistant Attorney General and as an Administrative Law Judge. Prior to taking the bench he was a practicing attorney with the law firm of Zeller, Ritter and Ronk for 12 years. In 1980 Ronk was elected to the position of Knox County Prosecuting Attorney and served in that position for the next 10 years. During his ten years as County Prosecutor, his office set records for the prosecution of felony drug offenses and for sexual violations such as rape and gross sexual imposition.
Judge Ronk has been involved in several professional organizations. He is a member of both the State and local Bar Associations and is a former president of the Knox County Bar Association. He is a former member and served as a trustee of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association. He is currently a member of both the Ohio Association of Probate Judges and the Ohio Juvenile and Family Court Judges Association and is a former director of this organization. He is also a current member of the American Judges Association and the National Council of Juvenile and family Court Judges. Ronk was a founding member and a former chairman of the Knox County Family and Children First Council. Judge Ronk has also been an associate member of the Knox County Trustees and Clerks Association since 1981.
As a youth growing up in Knox County, Ronk benefited from many school and community programs. He therefore stresses the importance of community service and community involvement for both the young people who appear in his court, as well as, himself. For the past 28 years he has been a member of the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club where he has served as president and for three terms as a director. He is a member of the Mount Vernon Knox County Chamber of Commerce and a former trustee of this organization. Ronk has been involved in youth organizations throughout his life. He has managed several boys’ baseball teams and basketball teams, as well as, Odyssey of the Mind teams. He has taught Sunday school classes and been a church youth leader. He is a former “Big Brother” and a former director of Knox County Big Brothers and Big Sisters Inc. For more than 45 years Judge Ronk has also been member of the First Baptist Church of Fredericktown where he currently serves as a deacon.
Judge Ronk has been married to his wife Ana for 28 years and they have two adult sons.
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