Meet Judge Zayas


Judge Marilyn Zayas learned from an early age that everyone should be treated fairly and equally. This is a core belief and guides Marilyn in her personal and professional life.

She was born in Spanish Harlem and grew up in a tough New York City neighborhood.
“Growing up in a working-class neighborhood, devastated by drugs and crime, all I wanted was a fair chance,” Marilyn said.

Her dad worked in a printing shop. Her mother worked as a seamstress in a garment factory. She was close to her three brothers, especially Peter who was her protector and is still her hero.

Her mother and father divorced when Marilyn was 17-years-old, and she went with her mom to court. This was the first time she saw the law at work. For Marilyn, it was a life-changing experience.

Although she earned a college degree in computer science, and moved to Cincinnati to become an IT Manager for Proctor & Gamble, Marilyn always dreamed of becoming a lawyer.

After six years, in 1994, Marilyn left P&G and pursued her dream, enrolling in and then graduating with a law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1997.

In addition to realizing her dream, Marilyn also knew she had found a wonderful home in Ohio where she could raise her children.

She went to work serving her community and eventually built her own law firm representing everyone from the poor to millionaires to refugees.

Throughout her career, she never lost sight of her passion for justice.

In 2016, Marilyn was elected to the First District Court Of Appeals of Ohio. She was proud to know she was the only Latina judge on any district court of appeals in the state.

Her reputation for fairness grew. Her commitment to faithfully apply the law and the constitution was recognized by her peers. So Judge Zayas was asked to sit in on cases as a visiting judge on the Second, Sixth, Eighth and
Tenth District Courts of Appeals.

Judge Zayas was also selected by the Ohio Supreme Court’s Chief Justice to be a sitting judge on the Ohio Supreme Court for a recused justice.

In 2022, Judge Zayas decided to run for the Ohio Supreme Court.

“You can trust that I will faithfully apply the law and our constitution equally to all, independent of outside influences and politics,” Judge Zayas said.

Judge Marilyn Zayas’s family includes her three adult children and two adopted rescue dogs, Thor and Sparkle Lou.

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