Honorable Michelle L. Cordova
Judge Michelle Cordova took the bench in January 2023. Judge Cordova served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for 26 years in Stark and Summit Counties, including 16 years as Chief Juvenile Prosecutor in Stark County Family Court. She also served as a General Felony Courtroom Prosecutor, Child Sexual Assault Specialist, and a Civil Prosecutor. As a prosecutor, she assisted in designing and overseeing the Stark County Juvenile Drug Court program, and she initiated the Traffic Offender Diversion Program.
Judge Cordova grew up in Stark County. She is a graduate of Perry High School, Ohio University, and the University of Akron School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in the Supreme Court of Ohio, the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Judge Cordova is a member of the Stark County Bar Association, the Ohio Association of Domestic Relations Judges, and the Ohio Association of Juvenile Court Judges.
Judge Cordova is President of the Board of Directors of Refuge of Hope Ministries, and serves meals there on the weekends. She is an active member of Women’s Impact Inc. She and her husband Andrew have four children and two dogs.
Honorable Matthew P. Kreitzer
Matthew P. Kreitzer’s judgeship began January 1, 2025. Preceding his Judicial appointment, he served as Family Court’s Chief Magistrate, and also as a Magistrate. Prior to Family Court employment, Judge Kreitzer held the following positions: Staff Attorney for the Stark County Child Support Enforcement Agency, Staff Attorney with the Stark County Office of the Public Defender, and ran his own private practice.
Judge Kreitzer received his B. A. Degree in Criminal Justice Studies, Cum Laude, from Kent State University in 1998 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron, School of Law in 2004. Judge Kreitzer is a member of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Ohio Association of Juvenile Court Judges, Ohio Judicial Conference, the Stark County Community Corrections Planning Board, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the Stark County Bar Association. He is also a member of the Stark County Bar Association’s Family Law Committee where he served as Bench Chair for 8 years. Judge Kreitzer has served on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Greater Stark County since 2021, is Chair of the United Way’s Nominating Committee, is on the Advisory Board of Enrichment of Stark County, is on the Board of Directors of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton, serves on the Stark County Fatherhood Coalition, and serves as a Judge on the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Court.
Judge Kreitzer is married to his wife, Diane, and has 4 children, who are all now adults, as well as 4 dogs. In his free time, Judge Kreitzer enjoys spending time outdoors, fishing, hiking, and camping.
Honorable Beverly P. Proctor-Donald
Beverly Proctor-Donald was appointed to serve as Judge in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division, commencing her judgeship on October 1, 2026. Before her appointment, Judge Proctor-Donald served as a Magistrate in the Family court from 2023 – 2026. Before joining the Family Court bench as a magistrate, Judge Proctor-Donald practiced law in Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Carroll, Portage, Wayne and Holmes Counties for 22 years with a focus in Family Law. Her practice also included estate planning and personal injury cases. Beverly grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and East Cleveland, Ohio but has called Stark County her home since 1991.
Judge Proctor-Donald earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis, graduating with Departmental Honors in the Department of Theater and Communications in the College of Communications and Fine Arts and she earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law in 1996. Beverly is a Past President of the Stark County Bar Association where she has been actively involved on various committees. She is currently a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Akron Canton Barristers, the Ohio Association of Magistrates and the Ohio Black Judges Association.
Beverly previously volunteered for Legal Aid’s pro se divorce and custody clinics and assisted with coordinating staffing for the Stark County Family Court Help Desk. She has given her time as a volunteer and committee member to various community organizations over the years, including the Stark County Department of Job and Family Services Planning Committee and the Stark County Community Corrections Planning Board. During her years in private practice she worked at Ask-a Lawyer events and community expungement and driver’s license clinics. Beverly was a cast member in the 2025 stage production of Reginald Rose’s “Twelve Angry Women” performed at the McKinley Presidential Library and Museum.
Beverly is married to Dr. Daryl Donald, and they have one adult son and one dog. Judge Proctor-Donald enjoys spending time with family, attending community events and activities, travelling, and playing golf.