probate court

probate court

Candidate profiles

An incumbent independent candidate and a Democratic challenger are vying in the Nov. 4 election for a six-year term as Mahoning County Probate Court judge:

JUDGE ROBERT N. RUSU Jr.

Age: 47

Residence: Canfield

Political status: Independent

Education: Canfield High School graduate; bachelor’s degree in political science from Youngstown State University; law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Mich.

Qualifications: Practice almost exclusively devoted to probate and elder law for two decades; handled more than 1,200 probate court cases here; corporate counsel for two local companies with a combined total of more than 240 employees and $12 million in annual gross revenue; serving on nonprofit organization boards.

Reason for seeking office: Possesses valuable leadership skills and experience to lead the court; ability to restore public confidence in the court.

Top priorities if elected: Run the court effectively and efficiently, initiate electronic filing and work to create common probate court forms for Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties to avoid duplication and increase efficiency; create partnerships with YSU and other local entities to help the court oversee wards in its guardianship program.

Employment: Appointed by Gov. John Kasich to complete the unexpired judicial term of Mark Belinky; previously a lawyer with Lane & Rusu Co. LPA.

Family: Wife, Cheryl; sons, Nathaniel, Michael and Alex; daughter, Mackenzie.

Offices previously sought: None.

Relatives holding public office: None.

Atty. Susan Maruca

Age: 45

Residence: Poland

Party: Democrat

Education: Villa Maria High School graduate; bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh; law degree from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh.

Qualifications: Private law practice concerning estates, guardianships, adoptions, disability law, mental health advocacy, family law and educational plans for special needs children.

Reason for seeking office: Her legal experience and passion for helping families in time of need who are harmed by the death of a loved one or devastated by the serious injury, illness, disability or mental health challenge of a family member.

Top priorities if elected: Stabilizing the probate court and restoring public trust in it, making it more user-friendly and tailoring decisions concerning wards of the court to their individual needs; safeguarding charitable trusts and foundations and respecting donor intent.

Employment: Currently, chief operating officer, Maruca Law Firm LLC and lawyer with Letson & Swader Law Firm, and part-time YSU freshman writing instructor; partner and chief operating officer, Betras, Maruca, Kopp and Harshman LLC, 1997-2010.

Family: Husband, Atty. Christopher Maruca; children, James and Christina.

Office previously sought: Mahoning County probate judge, 2008.

Relatives holding public office: Cousin: Judge Patrick P. Cunning of Campbell Municipal Court.