PLEAS

WARREN CO. PR08A TE COUR T

IN THE COURT OF COMMON
WARREN COUNTY, OHIO
lOl AUG '3 AM 10: 04
PROBATE DIVISION

In the matter of Case No. 2018-9080

Change of Name of: (Judge Kirby)

Jenna Olivia Shaul
ORDER

the 14th of August, 2018 regarding the application of

This matter is set for hearing on day
Shaul her child's from Jenna Olivia Shaul to James Oliver Shaul.
Jennifer to change name

filed, this Jurist has been named in a federal court lawsuit by

Since this application was

the Shauls challenging my ability to decide this matter, and alleging untrue allegations regarding
for minors. This lawsuit has been filed by the
how the Court decides name changes transgender
same law firm that is representing the Shauls in their name change application.

it minor changes, transgender or otherwise, the Court has always

As pertains to name

considered the best interest of the child in determining whether reasonable and proper cause

whether the name change. This determination is made after a

exists when deciding to permit
hearing and after considering all of the evidence presented.

holds bias those that transgender. In fact, this Court has granted
This Court no against are

for the basis of their transgender status, including both

name changes multiple applicants on

the Applicant herein neglected to mention or cite

adults and children. The attorneys representing
those decisions in their lawsuit. In addition, this Court has also approved multiple Magistrate
Decisions transgender changes. Each case gets decided on its individual merits,
approving name

which is what judges are required to do.

In the past, there have been cases where the Court felt the name change for a transgender
minor and others where the Court found it was not in that minor's best interest
was appropriate,
of probate and juvenile judge, I have learned that
at that time. After many years being a

children do not always know what is best for them during childhood.

extensive publicity based on the allegations in the

This Court has received negative
be incorrect, of which is that I "ignored evidence
lawsuit which will prove to factually one

medical suggesting that the name change is in the

presented by the parties from professionals
best interest of the child." There was no evidence presented from any medical professional about
in the of the proceeding that made part of the
the name change, which is evident transcript was

lawsuit.
 The law firm who represents the Applicant has appealed my decision in which another

transgender minor name change request was denied to the 1 z" District Court of Appeals. The
purpose of appellate review is for a higher court to decide whether a trial court applied the
correct legal standard or whether it abused its discretion. That is the normal procedure utilized to

review a trial court's decision. Otherwise, every decision in a case becomes yet another lawsuit
by the losing side. And, in this particular case, the lawsuit filed may bring attention to other
cases already decided by this Court, in which those applicants did not seek public disclosure of
their case, or their personal affairs.

The Court will continue to be fair and impartial in all cases that come before it, including
this one. It is not lost on this Court knowing the stress and anxiety children and their parents go
through when dealing with these difficult issues. However, the Court also believes judges must

rule on each case based solely upon the circumstances of each case. And, in this particular case,

the approach that the lawyers have chosen is to put the Court in a position where, if the hearing
proceeds on August 14, there will be those who claim I only ruled for or against the Applicant
because of the fact that I have been sued, rather than the evidence actually presented at the

hearing.

At this time, the Court will continue the hearing currently set for August 14, 2018. The

parties will be notified of the new hearing date.

So ordered.

Distribution:

Anne Tamashasky, Attorney