Katelyn Ritzler, Court Administrator

Katelyn Ritzler is a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Louisville, Kentucky and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from Denison University.

Prior to working with the Court, Katelyn worked as a case manager for adolescents and teenagers, and worked with survivors of domestic violence in a shelter and community setting.

Katelyn began working with the Court in 2013. Her duties include overseeing the day-to-day operations and budget of the Court, monitoring the flow of the Court’s docket, administering grants, coordinating jury issues, and implementing programming.

Katelyn can be reached by email at kritzler@co.ottawa.oh.us

Sarah Nation, Magistrate

Magistrate Nation is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School and the University of Toledo, earning her Bachelor’s Degrees in Political Science and Economics.  After receiving her Bachelor’s Degrees, Magistrate Nation then attended the University of Toledo College Of Law where she received her Juris Doctorate.

Prior to accepting a position as Staff Attorney and Magistrate with the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court, Magistrate Nation opened and continues to maintain her own law practice in Ottawa County, where she practices in the fields of bankruptcy, probate, business, domestic relations, juvenile, and criminal law.  In addition to her private practice and duties as the Staff Attorney and Magistrate, she serves as the Solicitor for the Villages of Rocky Ridge and Helena, and teaches at Terra State Community College.

Magistrate Nation accepted the position of Staff Attorney and Magistrate with the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court in 2010.  Her duties include legal research and writing for the Court, conducting conferences and hearings in various civil, criminal, and domestic cases, assisting with jury trials, preparing local rules, and monitoring the flow of the Court’s docket.

Brian Goodell, Magistrate

Magistrate Goodell is a graduate of the College of Law of the University of Toledo.  He also holds a B.A. in English from the University of Akron.

Prior to his appointment as a Magistrate in the Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas, Magistrate Goodell served as a Magistrate in the Juvenile Court of Lucas County, Ohio. In addition to his experience as a Magistrate, he has served as an adjunct professor at the College of Law at the University of Toledo, and he has taught continuing legal education courses for lawyers and judges for numerous legal organizations, including the Ohio State Bar Association and the Ohio Judicial College.

In his capacity as Magistrate, Magistrate Goodell acts as judicial hearing officer and has the authority to conduct trials, take witness testimony, make evidentiary rulings, and issue temporary orders as needed to regulate the Court proceedings.

Stephanie Jess, Magistrate

Magistrate Jess is a graduate of Oak Harbor High School and The University of Toledo, where she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration. Stephanie received her B.B.A. with honors as the College of Business Valedictorian, and she then attended The University of Toledo College of Law where she received her Juris Doctorate.

Prior to accepting the Staff Attorney/Magistrate position with the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court, Magistrate Jess worked as an Attorney at the Ottawa County Department of Job and Family Services in the areas of child support and child welfare. She also previously opened and operated her own law practice in Ottawa County, and continues to operate a limited practice assisting clients in juvenile, probate, and domestic relations law in the surrounding counties.

Magistrate Jess was appointed as a Staff Attorney and Magistrate with the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court in November 2020. Her duties include legal research and writing for the Court, conducting conferences and hearings in various domestic, criminal, and civil cases, assisting with jury trials, and monitoring the flow of the Court’s dockets.

Judy Flood, Magistrate

Magistrate Flood is a graduate of Seneca East High School and the University of Toledo, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree, Magna Cum Laude. She then attended the University of Toledo College of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude.

Prior to accepting the position of Magistrate and Staff Attorney, Magistrate Flood maintained a private law practice. She has primarily focused in the areas of Estate Planning, Probate, Real Estate, Business Formation, and Bankruptcy and continues to practice on a limited basis. Magistrate Flood also previously served as this Court’s Chief Probation Officer, until her retirement in 2021.

Magistrate Flood was appointed Magistrate and Staff Attorney in September of 2023. Her duties include conducting conferences and hearings in criminal and civil cases, research, review of sentencing procedures, and monitoring the flow of the Court’s dockets.

Diane Ball, Administrative Assistant

Diane is a graduate of Port Clinton High School and a lifelong resident of Port Clinton. Prior to working with Common Pleas Court, she worked for the Ottawa County Auditor’s Office as a Deputy Auditor and OSS Solid Waste District as an Education Specialist.

Diane began working for the Common Pleas Court in 2022 as the Administrative Assistant. Diane is responsible for scheduling court hearings, sending notices to attorneys and parties, and preparing the Court’s calendar, docket, and files.  Other responsibilities include telephone communications, conference calls, dictation, preparing and distributing court documents, and preparing required reporting.

Diane can be reached by email a dball@co.ottawa.oh.us

Jessica Hetrick, Administrative Assistant

Jessica Hetrick is a graduate of Chesaning Union High School in Chesaning, Michigan. After graduation, Jessica attended Terra State College.

Prior to working with the Court, Jessica worked at Citizens bank and Ottawa County Job and Family Services as an income maintenance case worker.

Jessica began working for the Common Pleas Court in 2023 as the Administrative Assistant for Domestic Relations and Civil Divisions. Jessica is responsible for scheduling court hearings, sending notices to attorneys and parties, and preparing the Court’s calendar, docket, and files.  Other responsibilities include telephone communications, conference calls, dictation, preparing and distributing court documents, and preparing required reporting.

Jessica can be reached by email at jhetrick@co.ottawa.oh.us.

Jaimee Prieur, Mental Health Court Coordinator

Jaimee Prieur is a graduate of Oak Harbor High School and a graduate of The University of Findlay where she earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts Degree in Psychology with minors in Sociology and Criminal Justice. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree, Jaimee attended Bowling Green State University where she earned a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling. In 2014, Jaimee became a Licensed Professional Counselor and is currently a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Training Supervision Designation.

Prior to her employment with the Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas, Jaimee worked for Unison Health in Toledo, OH as a Clinical Therapist, Clinical Specialist, and then Clinical Supervisor. Jaimee has provided services for both children and adults with mental health diagnoses and co-occurring substance use disorders.

In 2017, Jaimee accepted the position as the Mental Health Court Coordinator for the Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas. As the Mental Health Court Coordinator, Jaimee has various duties including developing policies and procedures, providing linkages and coordination with treatment providers, community resources, and the courts, assisting the court in identifying individuals who may be suffering from mental illness, data collection and reporting, and facilitating a treatment team meeting each week. Jaimee is also a member of the Drug Free Collaborative, Ottawa County Council on Health & Social Concerns, and is the Stepping Up Coordinator for Ottawa County.

Jaimee can be reached by email at jprieur@co.ottawa.oh.us

Leah Brookins, DATA Program Coordinator

Leah Brookins is a 2019 graduate of The Ohio State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.  Leah went on to attend Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia to obtain her Master of Arts degree in Forensic and Legal Psychology where she graduated in 2021.

Prior to full-time employment with the Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas, Leah interned with the Court as the DATA Program Coordinator Intern. Through that experience Leah knew the career path she wanted to pursue.

Leah accepted the position of DATA Program Coordinator for Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas in May of 2021. In this position, Leah regularly meets with DATA Program participants, coordinates with treatment providers, members of the treatment team, and community resources; as well as assists in identifying those with addiction who could benefit from the DATA Program. Other responsibilities include maintaining participant files and data, attending and facilitating weekly treatment team meetings, and assisting in programs related to the Specialized Dockets. Leah is also a member of the Drug Free Collaborative.

Leah can be reached by email at lbrookins@co.ottawa.oh.us