At 71, Powers could not seek reelection due to age limits. A standing-room-only crowd was on hand last week to say goodbye to Powers, who said he is looking forward to the next chapter of his life that includes time with the grandkids.
Powers, a Middletonian, graduated from Middletown schools and Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky. Powers received a law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University in Cleveland. He spent years in private practice in Middletown as managing partner at Repper, Powers & Pagan and also prosecuted cases as an assistant county prosecutor for 10 years.
Is practicing law again in his future? Powers said “no” as he packed up years of memories in his office on the third floor of the court wing at the Government Services Center in Hamilton.
“I know what my wife is going to say when I bring all this home,” Powers said with a laugh. His extensive toy train collection now occupies most of the basement.
Powers said he hasn’t ruled out service as a visiting judge.
“I am ready to move on, but I can still do visiting judge work if I miss it that much. I am sure I will, I can always to that,” Powers said.
He said he was appreciative of the turn out at his retirement reception.
“It was wonderful to see everyone,” Powers said. “I have really enjoyed my entire legal career and I enjoyed being a common pleas court judge more than anything else.”
He said it was where he could help the most people.
“There’s just a little bit of frustrated social worker in me. I get to make decisions that can help people. As a judge I have a lot of resources. Even though every case is not a victory, we have a lot of small victories. People change their lives,” Powers said.
Heile, 44, is the mother of two boys ages 14 and 11, was sworn in by Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, who is a former county domestic court judge and Hamilton police officer.
Heile grew up on a farm in rural northwest Ohio and graduated from Ohio State University with a major in political science and is a graduate of Capital University Law School in Columbus. Heile’s husband John works in Hamilton County and the family lives in the Hamilton area.
In Oct 2021, Heile, then a 14-year veteran of the Butler County Prosecutors Office and the chief of the child assault division, left to become bar counsel with the Ohio State Bar Association. Now she is returning to the courtroom in a much different role.
Stepping away from the common pleas courtroom for a few years allowed for growth in her perspective and a view of the civil part of the law, she said.
“I spent the last three years or so looking and reviewing the behavior of judges and attorneys, so it has really given me a perspective that I didn’t have before. I think it is invaluable,” Heile said. “My job now is to decide, not to try the cases.”
She said she’s ready to take over Powers’ docket and all future cases.
“Judge Powers has been wonderful and welcoming,” she said. “Really the entire bench. Every single person just has been welcoming. I am ready to hit the ground running.”
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