A career dedicated to justice, public service, and protecting our community's children.
Judge Kari L. Bloom is the Administrative Judge of the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas – Juvenile Division, where she is committed to delivering fair decisions and meaningful outcomes for children and families in Hamilton County. Elected in 2020, Judge Bloom brings nearly two decades of legal experience and public service to the bench, including her previous employment with the Children's Law Center, Hamilton County Public Defender's Office and the Ohio Public Defender's Office.
Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to the pursuit of accountability and opportunity for everyone — focusing on public safety, due process, and long-term stability for youth.
Judge Bloom believes the work of juvenile court goes far beyond the walls of the courtroom, which is why she has been at the forefront of partnering with families and community stakeholders to strengthen and improve systems, reduce recidivism, and create pathways for success for those she serves.
During her time with the Ohio Public Defender's Office, Judge Bloom served on several statewide boards and commissions that shaped the future of Ohio's justice system:
Through this work, she participated in systemic policy reforms to increase access to courts, reconcile conflicting laws, collect and analyze criminal sentencing data, and address the lasting effects of tough-on-crime legislation.