As immediate Past President of the Columbus Bar Association, and with over 20 years as a trial judge, first as an Administrative Judge in Franklin County Municipal Court, then as an Administrative Judge and subsequently Presiding Judge, in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court, Charles Schneider has been instrumental in shaping law in the state of Ohio. Handling both criminal and civil jury trials, Charles is most known for presiding over the serial “Highway Shooter” case, one of Ohio’s largest cases of its kind. In addition, the last civil case over which he presided before leaving the bench resulted in the largest personal injury jury verdict in Franklin County to date.
Recognizing his bench experience translates well to mediation, Charles mediates civil cases, including but not limited to personal injury, medical negligence, employment, business and commercial cases. It is in the role as a mediator, that Charles gets to combine his over 20 years in private practice with his almost 25 years on the bench to help parties resolve their disputes and avoid the time, expense and the emotional issues associated with protracted litigation.
Prior to entering the judicial realm, Charles served clients in private practice representing a number of governmental agencies, a major restaurant chain and school districts. Specifically, he has taken considerable pride in being a tireless advocate for law libraries and helped draft legislation that created the State of Ohio Consortium of Law Libraries and has served as its first and only Chairman. Additionally, he was the last Chairman of the Ohio Elections Commission when it was under the Secretary of State, and it’s first Chairman when it became a free-standing entity. Recently, Charles was asked to help draft legislation for the new notary public law. He has also served as special counsel for other governmental agencies in Central Ohio and has been a frequent speaker for various professional organizations.
Prior to his judicial service, Charles was an associate with the firm of Wilcox, Schlosser & Mirras, partner with the firm of Mirras & Schneider, and Of Counsel with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease. Immediately prior to joining Isaac Wiles, he served as Chief of the Criminal Justice Section for the office of the Attorney General of Ohio.
When reflecting on what excellence means in the practice of law, Charles draws on a sign he had posted at his bench that read, “never get mad and keep smiling.” It is in this spirit that he brings patience and empathy, along with a strong sense of humor, to his cases and his clients, and believes these virtues are the differentiators to success.
When not practicing law, Charles most enjoys spending time at his northern Michigan home. . .on the water, in his boat and with his children and grandchildren.
Articles & Presentations
Articles
Schneider Appointed Hearing Examiner for the Ohio Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors, June 19, 2025
• Schneider Appointed Magistrate for Dublin Mayor’s Court, January 14, 2025
•Charles Schneider Elected Board Chair of the North Central Mental Health Board, April 25, 2024
•Charles Schneider Appointed Hearing Officer to State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy, April 22, 2024
•Mediation Isn’t Always About Money, August 14, 2023
•Notary Modernization Act in Effect, June 21, 2023
•Ohio Republicans Seek Friendlier Courts to Check Democratic City, June 7, 2023
•Turn the Page, February 7, 2023
•Mediation May Hinge on a Clear Understanding of What’s on the Table, January 30, 2023
•Successful Mediation Practices from a Former Judge, January 30, 2023
•Successful Mediation Practices from a Former Judge, December 14, 2022
Experience
United States Military
•United States Army, Company Clerk Headquarter Battalion, 1970-1973
Elected Positions
•Judge, Franklin County Common Pleas Court - 2004 to 2019
•Elected by his peers to serve both as Administrative and Presiding Judge
•Judge, Franklin County Municipal Court - 1996 to 2004
•Elected by his peers to serve both as Administrative and Presiding Judge
Bar Associations
•Past President, Columbus Bar Association
