

Judge Dan Hawkins was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from St. Francis DeSales High School and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University. Judge Hawkins then returned home and earned his law degree from The Ohio State University.
After graduating from OSU Law School and passing the bar exam, Judge Hawkins was hired as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney under Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien. Judge Hawkins spent ten years in the prosecutor’s office serving as Director of the office’s prestigious Special Victims Unit. This unit specializes in crimes of violence against women and children, including murders, sexual assaults, child abuse, human trafficking, and internet child predators.
In July 2013, Judge Hawkins was appointed by Governor John Kasich to fill a vacancy on the Franklin County Environmental Court and was later elected to finish the remainder of his predecessor’s term. The Environmental Court has exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving violations of the local housing, building, fire, zoning, health, waste collection, animal control, and pollution codes. The Court also hears cases involving nuisance properties and landlord/tenant disputes. During his time in the Environmental Court, Judge Hawkins worked to develop new sentencing strategies to combat vacant and abandoned properties in Franklin County. His court served as a check against government and administrative overreach by ensuring the property and contractual rights of the parties were always protected. He established new approaches to deal with the evergrowing problem of hoarding and created a new neighborhood clean-up program that directs individuals with court-ordered community service hours to pick up trash in our communities.
In November 2018, Judge Hawkins was elected to the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – the only Republican to win in Franklin County that year. Since taking the bench, Judge Hawkins has taken the same common-sense approach to his cases in Common Pleas that proved successful in the Environmental Court, earning top ratings bythe Columbus Bar Association and recognition from law enforcement and the business community. He recognizes the importance of maintaining a stable and predictable legal environment as crucial to allowing businesses to thrive and provide good jobs for Ohio families. Judge Hawkins is also a strong advocate for the rule of law and believes in holding those who commit crimes responsible for their actions – not society.
On the home front, Dan and his wife, Amy, have been married for 17 years. The couple have three children and live on Columbus’ north side. Amy works for her family’s youth sports business, Integrity Athletics, located in Plain City, Ohio. Dan’s family are life-long parishioners at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Westerville.
Judge Dan Hawkins Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
Judge Megan E. Shanahan Common Pleas
Judge, Hamilton County Common Pleas Court 2015-Present
Preside over every level of felony criminal offenses and major civil matters with jurisdiction in Hamilton County. One of 16 voting members of the governance of the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court system. This includes administrative duties such as personnel and budgetary issues.
Judge, Hamilton County Municipal Court 2011-2015
Presided over every level of misdemeanor criminal offenses and minor civil matters with jurisdiction in Hamilton County. One of 14 voting members of the governance of the Hamilton County Municipal Court system. This includes administrative duties such as personnel and budgetary issues.
Assistant Prosecutor, Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office 2007-2011
Felony Trial Division, Major Trial Prosecutor
Was responsible for prosecuting major felony offenses including capital murders, homicides, aggravated robberies, rapes, and violent crimes against children. Conducted more than a dozen jury trials of such matters. Supervisory responsibility over felony prosecutors assigned to the Common Pleas division.
Assistant Prosecutor, Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office 2005-2007
Felony Trial Division
Was responsible for handling felony level cases of all types including drug trafficking, felonious assault and murder. Tried more than 24 jury trials and countless bench trials along with conducting innumerable motions to the court.
Prosecutor, Mt. Healthy Mayor’s Court 2005-2011
Handled the prosecution of all city cases including traffic cases, criminal cases, tax cases and all property maintenance and building complaints. Appeared before Ohio Liquor Board in license revocation proceedings.
Assistant Prosecutor, Butler County Prosecutor’s Office 2001-2005
Felony Trial Division
Handled all felony cases assigned to Judge Keith M. Spaeth, beginning with Grand Jury presentation to ultimate resolution by plea or trial. Prosecuted all technology based child pornography and all adult obscenity for the Common Pleas Court, General Division. Drug Court Prosecutor (2001-2002). Tried 25 jury trials, including a capital murder case and the largest child pornography case to date in Butler County.
Assistant Prosecutor, Butler County Prosecutor’s Office 2000-2001
Appellate Division and Municipal Division
Researched civil and criminal law issues. Handled all aspects of criminal cases on appeal to the Twelfth District Court of Appeals, including research, brief writing and oral argument. Managed the Municipal Court docket including the prosecution of misdemeanor charges, conducting motions to suppress, pleas and bench and jury trials.
EDUCATION_________________________________________________________________
University of Cincinnati College of Law, Cincinnati, Ohio Juris Doctorate, 2000
Admitted to Practice in Ohio, November 2000
Honors and Activities:
Executive Director, Moot Court Board
Dean’s Honors List
Order of the Barristers
J. Carro Consummate Advocate Award
Best Brief Award and Semi-Finalist, 1999 Chase Moot Court Environmental Law Competition
Student Court; Tenant Information Project
Cincinnati Bar – Explorer’s Post.
Publications: Hastee, Inc. v. The Chemical Asthmatics Association, Northern Kentucky Law Review, Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Volume 27, Environmental Law Issue, Number 3.
Kent State University, Kent, Ohio Bachelor of Arts, 1995
Political Science Major, Pre-law minor.
Honors and Activities:
Dean’s Honors List
Pi Sigma Alpha, national political science honor society
Co-founder and Advertising Editor, The Summit Street Journal, a university funded publication
PERSONAL_________________________________________________________________
Married to attorney Bart Cosgrove
Two children
Active Member, St. Mary Catholic Church
Associate Member, Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #38 (2002-present)
Volunteer, Mayerson Jewish Community Center (2017-2022)
Board Member, Living Hope Transitional Homes (2012-2013)
