The Honorable John Meagher – Immediate Past Chair, An Independent Voting Member
Retired Judge John M. (Jack) Meagher currently serves as a private mediator and arbitrator, describing his role as “a peacemaker.” His illustrious career includes 20 years as a trial judge, seven years as a trial attorney in private practice and four years as a trial attorney with the State of Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation. He also served as a visiting judge in Ohio, presiding judge of the Miami Conservancy District Court and assistant attorney general for the State of Ohio.
A U.S. Army veteran having served in both Germany and Vietnam, Meagher has championed veterans in myriad capacities. A position of which he is most proud is past president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park Board of Directors in Dayton, Ohio. As chairman of the fundraising campaign, his efforts succeeded in the creation of the park, which honors servicemen and women from southwestern Ohio who were killed or went missing in action in Vietnam. Serving as chairman of the board for Help Heal Veterans, Meagher stated, “For me, this is another opportunity to pay forward my debt for my own blessings. As a Vietnam veteran, I am especially aware of the ongoing need to honor all of our veterans—whenever and wherever circumstances present the opportunity.”
A graduate of the University of Dayton, Meagher received his Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He was both a student and a faculty member at the National Judicial College and served as an adjunct professor at the University of Dayton School of Law.
In both Ohio and California, he has volunteered at shelters for the homeless. In his spare time, Meagher enjoys physical activity of all kinds, including running, cycling, skiing, hiking, golf and yoga.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Meagher currently resides in Petaluma, California.