Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has nominated former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith French as director of the Ohio Department of Insurance.
In his announcement, DeWine noted that French brings more than 30 years of experience and “will lead the department in providing consumer protection through education and fair, but vigilant, regulation while promoting a stable and competitive environment for insurers.”
According to her bio on the Supreme Court of Ohio website, French served as justice from Jan. 1, 2013 to Jan. 2, 2021. She began her career at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in 1993 as deputy director for legal affairs. She served as assistant attorney general and chief counsel for the state attorney general from 1997 to 2002. She then served as chief legal counsel to Gov. Bob Taft from 2002 to 2004 before being elected as a judge on the Tenth District Court of Appeals in 2004.
French grew up in Sebring, Ohio and received three degrees from The Ohio State University—a bachelor’s degree in political science, a master’s degree in history and a juris doctorate. She lives in Grandview Heights, Ohio with her husband. They have two children.
If approved, French will take over from Interim Director Tynesia Dorsey, who was appointed in August 2020. Dorsey has also served as chief administrative office since September 2011.