On The Record: The Podcast of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court

Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold was a true trail blazer. Judge Saffold joined our Bench in 1995. After Judge Lillian Greene, Judge Saffold was the second Black female elected to our Bench, and was the longest serving. Her son, Jeffrey Saffold, is now a Common Pleas Judge and her daughter, Sydney Saffold, sits on the Cleveland Municipal Bench where her mom began her Judicial career

Judge John Sutula retired in January 2025 after serving on the Bench since 2001. He started his legal career as a domestic relations attorney, where he learned the negotiating skills he attributes to his long career as a Judge.

Judge Kathleen Ann Sutula served on the Bench from 1991 to January 2025. Judge Sutula came to the Common Pleas Court from the federal courts, and brought with her a dedication to timeliness and fairness.

Judge Daniel Gaul retired in January 2025 after serving on the Bench since 1991. He is a graduate of Cathedral Latin High School and Cleveland State University. Judge Gaul attended law school at Capital University and joined the bar in 1981.

Judge Frank D. Celebrezze is a third generation Judge. He served on the Common Pleas Court General Division starting in 1992 and was reelected in 1998. In 2000, he was elected to the Eight District Court of Appeals where he served until his retirement at the end of 2024.