WILLIAM R. ZIMMERMAN

Judge William R. Zimmerman was elected to the Third District Court of Appeals on November 8, 2016. He was successful in contested races in both the primary and general election for the position previously held by retired Judge Richard Rogers. Judge Zimmerman was then re-elected to a second term with the Court in November, 2022.

Judge Zimmerman previously served as judge on the Shelby County Common Pleas Court, Probate and Juvenile Divisions (elected 2008, re-elected in 2014).

Before being elected judge in Shelby County, Zimmerman was in the active practice of law in Sidney and the director of the Shelby County Public Defender's Office (1982-2005). Zimmerman is a veteran of over 100 jury trials, including death penalty representation.

Judge Zimmerman received his undergraduate degree from Ohio Northern University and law degree in 1979 from Ohio Northern School of Law. He took and passed the Ohio Bar during his final year in law school, becoming an attorney in May of 1979. He is admitted to practice in Ohio, Federal Courts of the Northern and Southern District of Ohio and the United States Supreme Court.

During his time with the Third District, Judge Zimmerman has twice served as presiding judge. As presiding judge, Zimmerman has been instrumental in holding Third District oral arguments in different locations, including: Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Logan, Mercer, Seneca, Shelby and Union Counties.

Zimmerman and his wife, Deb, have resided in Sidney since 1982 and have 4 grown children (Bill Jr., Kate, Matt and Brad) and 9 grandchildren. Bill Jr., Kate and Matt all graduated from Ohio Northern; Brad from The Ohio State University.