Wende Cross
Cincinnati,OH
Summary
Respected Judge with ten years of bench experience and uncompromising approach to legal adjudication. Background in criminal, civil and juvenile law, rules and procedures. Dedicated to faithful interpretation of laws with deference to legislative intent and purpose.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Judge
Hamilton County Court Of Common Pleas
Cincinnati, Ohio
02.2021 - Current
- Monitored court proceedings for 500 cases for adherence to legal procedures and rules by attorneys and litigants.
- Prepared written opinions to defend rationale of rulings and inform public of new legal precedent arising from case.
- Heard oral debate and testimony before court to establish case facts and litigants' arguments.
- Reviewed pleadings, motions and evidence to assess admissibility and relevance to case.
- Determined proper sentencing, monetary fees and damages to be paid on basis of case facts and established guidelines.
- Reviewed legal documents and memos to make determinations on pre-trial issues, motions and final rulings.
- Assisted in jury selection and provided instruction and guidance to jurors during proceedings.
- Met with litigants' legal counsel to discuss and decide on objections, pretrial motions, discovery issues and evidence.
Magistrate
Hamilton County Court Of Common Pleas, Juv Div
Cincinnati, OH
11.2012 - 02.2021
- Monitored court proceedings for 1000+ cases for adherence to legal procedures and rules by attorneys and litigants.
- Prepared written opinions to defend rationale of rulings and inform public of new legal precedent arising from case.
- Heard oral debate and testimony before court to establish case facts and litigants' arguments.
- Reviewed pleadings, motions and evidence to assess admissibility and relevance to case.
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Managing Attorney
W.C. Cross Law, LLC
Cincinnati, Ohio
06.2008 - 11.2012
- Handled 50 cases at time while managing team of 3 attorneys and average of 250 clients at one time.
- Developed and maintained relationships with state departments and other regulatory industries.
- Completed annual reviews of case files, employees and overall firm structures and introduced ideas and systems to remedy issues.
- Designed annual and monthly budget goals and monitored staff compliance.
- Introduced new training program and hired, trained and supervised 3 new associates.
- Developed strategies to resolve cases in client's best interest.
- Managed high-volume caseload in most populous and demanding circuit.
- Filed timely case pleadings to meet firm deadlines.
- Interviewed witnesses and gathered public record research relevant to each case.
- Resolved post-judgment litigation settlements and default judgment orders in favor of clients.
Managing Partner
Cross, Smith & Associates, LLC
Cincinnati, Ohio
02.2005 - 06.2008
- Established and implemented business procedures and process improvements.
- Analyzed and presented financial standings and cost effectiveness to other partner.
- Engaged in complex criminal litigation under statutes relating to criminal law.
- Advised 500+ clients on legal matters such as criminal & civil law, family law, and personal injury matters.
Adjunct Professor, Paralegal Studies
University Of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
01.2007 - 05.2007
- Educated approximately 25 students enrolled in paralegal studies program
- Worked with colleagues and administrators to create robust education program.
- Developed lesson plans and research assignments to help students meet key learning objectives and goals.
- Used exams, quizzes and assignments to assess student comprehension.
Solo Practitioner
Law Office Of Wende C. Cross
Cincinnati, Ohio
08.2004 - 02.2005
- Interpreted laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Researched and wrote contracts, agreements and proposals.
- Communicated with clients and collected information to research cases and prepare settlement offers.
- Analyzed probable outcomes of cases using knowledge of legal precedents.
Assistant United States Attorney
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District Of Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
08.2001 - 08.2004
- Coordinated hundreds of federal investigations, including Title III cases, and subsequent prosecutions of white-collar crimes involving fraud, money laundering and tax-related offenses, complex fraud and theft offenses, and prosecutions involving drug and weapon-related offenses.
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Attended hearings as representative of department of justice.
- Interviewed witnesses and gathered public record research relevant to each case.
Assistant United States Attorney
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District Of Kentuc
Covington, KY
01.1995 - 08.2001
- Coordinated hundreds of federal investigations, including Title II cases, and subsequent prosecutions of white-collar crimes involving fraud, money laundering and tax-related offenses, complex fraud and theft offenses, and prosecutions involving drug and weapon-related offenses.
- Extensive and substantial criminal and civil litigation in United States District Courts
- Drafted and argued appeals before U.S. Court of Appeals for Sixth Circuit.
Attorney
Landrum & Shouse LLP
Lexington, Kentucky
08.1992 - 12.1992
- Oversaw civil defense litigation, including defense of insurance companies and their insureds involving personal injury cases
- Advocated for clients before courts in oral argument by presenting facts and evidence in most favorable light.
- Conducted legal research and conferred with colleagues with subject matter expertise to develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Successfully advocated for clients in settlement process.
- Filed timely case pleadings to meet firm deadlines.
- Managed high-volume caseload in most populous and demanding circuit.
Education
J.D. - Law
Salmon P. Chase College of Law
Highland Heights, KY05.1992
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science / Public Administration
Miami University
Oxford, OH05.1988
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Business Correspondence
- Oratory Communication
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Trial Preparation
- Reading Comprehension
- Personnel Management
- Resolving Disputes
- Time Management
- Active Learning
- Social Perceptiveness
- Civil Procedures
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Affiliations
National Association of Women Judges
Ohio Black Judges Association
National Bar Association, Judicial Council
Cincinnati Bar Association, Trustee
Kentucky Bar Association
NAACP, Cincinnati chapter
Timeline
Judge
Hamilton County Court Of Common Pleas
02.2021 - Current
Magistrate
Hamilton County Court Of Common Pleas, Juv Div
11.2012 - 02.2021
Managing Attorney
W.C. Cross Law, LLC
06.2008 - 11.2012
Adjunct Professor, Paralegal Studies
University Of Cincinnati
01.2007 - 05.2007
Managing Partner
Cross, Smith & Associates, LLC
02.2005 - 06.2008
Solo Practitioner
Law Office Of Wende C. Cross
08.2004 - 02.2005
Assistant United States Attorney
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District Of Ohio
08.2001 - 08.2004
Assistant United States Attorney
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District Of Kentuc
01.1995 - 08.2001
Attorney
Landrum & Shouse LLP
08.1992 - 12.1992
J.D. - Law
Salmon P. Chase College of Law
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science / Public Administration
Miami University
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