Judge Gary C. Bennett was elected to the Bench in November, 2009, for the term commencing January 1, 2010. Although newly elected, Judge Bennett is not new to the Elyria Municipal Court. Prior to his election, he served for 10 years as Acting Judge for Judge Locke-Graves, Judge Ferguson, and Judge Musson. Judge Bennett also served as a Traffic Magistrate for the Court from September, 2005, until he took the Bench in January, 2010.

Prior to his election, Judge Bennett engaged in private practice for 32 years. He also served as the Lorain County Prosecutor and Solicitor for the Village of LaGrange. His community service included 18 years on the Elyria Board of Education, 3 years on the Joint Vocational Board, 11 years on the Lorain County Children Services Board, 4 years on the Lorain County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, and several years on the Elyria Summer Theatre Board.

Judge Bennett’s service to the community has resulted in him receiving special recognition including the Elyria Schools and Friends Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award, Northeast Ohio School Board member of the Year Award, the Continental Cablevision Parent of the Year Award, and the Jaycee Distinguished Service Award.

Judge Bennett is a lifelong resident of Elyria. He graduated from Elyria High School in 1970, Wittenberg University in 1974, and the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1977. He and his wife, Marjory, have 5 children and 7 grandchildren.