Judge Joy Kennedy

Judge Joy Kennedy joined the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division Bench in January of 2025.

Judge Kennedy was elected in November to a six-year term and succeeded Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold, who retired.

A graduate of Shaw High School, Judge Kennedy attended Hampton University and received her law degree from the Cleveland State University College of Law.

Prior to joining our Bench, Judge Kennedy served as a Magistrate at the Cleveland Municipal Court and worked for the Cuyahoga County Public Defender’s Office.