Common Pleas Court Judges

Antonio S. Nicholson is currently a sitting Judge in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Judge Nicholson was appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine on June 03, 2025, and took the bench on July 14, 2025.  As a lifelong resident of Cuyahoga County and a former practicing attorney in the State of Ohio for over eleven (11) years, Judge Nicholson has dedicated his career to serving the citizens of Cuyahoga County and ensuring equal access to justice for all.

In his former role as an Assistant Public Defender for Cuyahoga County, Judge Nicholson had the privilege of representing citizens who did not have the financial means to afford legal representation for their criminal case matters.  Judge Nicholson also served as the lead attorney for what is now known as The Judge Larry Jones Drug Court Program, a specialized court that provided critical assistance to individuals facing substance abuse and mental health challenges, along with clients that were sexually and physically abused and homeless. Judge Nicholson’s work as a public defender gave him the opportunity to advocate for those in need, but it also reinforced the importance of personal responsibility, accountability, and rehabilitation. He also applied the same values and expectations when he served as an Assistant Public Defender in Lake County.

In addition to public service, Judge Nicholson founded the Law Firm Nicholson Law, LLC, and partnered with identical twin brother and fellow attorney, Anthony Nicholson, who is now Senior Counsel at Amundsen Davis, LLC.  While in practice, Judge Nicholson successfully represented clients in both criminal and civil cases, offering comprehensive legal services to paying clients while also providing pro bono work to those in need. While Judge Nicholson has tried cases ranging from minor misdemeanor traffic cases to felonies of first and second degree, Judge Nicholson has also litigated cases in mayor’s courts, municipal courts, county courts, appellate courts and federal courts in the state of Ohio. Judge Nicholson was particularly mindful of the intersectionality of clients’ experiences, understanding how factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and background can influence their legal challenges. Therefore, Judge Nicholson tailored his approach to ensure that every client—whether affluent or underserved—received the same high-quality representation, with fairness and respect at the forefront of everything he did.

As a Judge on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Judge Nicholson continues to uphold fairness, integrity, and respect for the law. Judge Nicholson believes that a judge’s role is not just to administer justice but to uphold the law with both compassion and firmness—ensuring public safety while also recognizing when rehabilitation is the best path forward. Judge Nicholson’s experience has prepared him to assess each case thoughtfully, looking beyond charges to consider the full context and potential for productive futures.

Judge Nicholson is a devoted husband and father to three sons. In his free time, Judge Nicholson volunteers his time as a youth, middle school and high school wrestling coach and has done so for over twenty (20) years.  Judge Nicholson has coached State Champions, State Finalists, State Place-Winners and State Qualifiers at the Ohio High School State Wrestling Championships.