Employees of the Clermont County Domestic Court are enjoying the reactions of people when they first walk into the Court’s newly remodeled lobby. “Newly painted walls, the new bailiff’s desk, flooring, and furniture — people can’t believe that this is the same lobby that they walked into just a few months before,” said Michelle Benitez-Davis, whose office looks into the remodeled lobby.
Judge Mary Lynne Birck knows that the long-overdue remodel will no doubt benefit the many attorneys and litigants who use the Court’s lobby. “Gone are the days of trying to juggle paperwork on your lap while and using clipboards to write on! We want those coming to the Court to have a comfortable and productive space that will allow attorneys to meet with each other and their clients, to complete paperwork, to wait for a hearing, and to be able to conduct any other business that they may have with our Court.”
The lobby is now equipped with a printer/copier for use by parties and attorneys as well as a library carrel which converts the space to a “working area” rather than a “waiting area.”
No detail was too small for consideration when Judge Birck asked her staff to help plan a new and improved lobby area. Months of planning and meetings with designers and staff went into accomplishing the finished product.
Part of the lobby remodeling project included providing a satellite office for the victim’s advocates from the YWCA. In this office hangs a beautiful quilt that was designed and sewn by retired Judge William Walker as a gift to Judge Birck. All the meeting rooms along the back wall of the lobby have been repainted and have new furniture. New carpeting will be the final touch.
“This Court’s Mission Statement appears in a prominent place on the lobby wall behind the bailiff’s desk because it is important that the public have a basic idea of what this Court does and the spirit of public service in which my staff and I do our jobs. We now have a wonderful new environment where we can continue to serve the residents of Clermont County when they come to the Court of Domestic Relations. I am truly so very, very happy and proud that the quality of the Court’s space now matches the quality of the work which occurs here,” said Judge Birck.
The Mission Statement of the Court of Domestic Relations of Clermont County, Ohio was adopted in January, 2021:
Guided by the law and principles of equity, the Court works
To promote the care and support of children
To protect with dignity the victims of domestic violence;
To resolve property disputes justly, and
To serve respectfully, efficiently, ably and with compassion