Judge Mary Margaret Rowlands was first elected to the Summit County, Ohio Common Pleas Court in 2008, after 19 years in private practice, representing clients in civil and criminal matters nationwide. In addition to her assigned civil and criminal docket, she leads a Supreme Court certified Re-entry Court, providing intensive supervision, support and direction to recently released prison inmates to promote their law abiding behavior and social and economic productivity.

Judge Rowlands graduated from Youngstown State University and The University of Akron School of Law. She often describes her educational and career path as a long and meandering road full of interesting twists and turns, each of which provided priceless experience to better serve the community.

Judge Rowlands is active in many professional and community organizations, with NAWJ and IAWJ having been among the most meaningful. Judge Rowlands always finds tremendous joy in the company of smart, committed women. In 2017, 2018 and 2019, Judge Rowlands was selected as an IAWJ delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. She was one of only 20 judges worldwide honored to join the delegations. The collective action at the United Nations was gratifying and supportive of her highest priorities, overcoming barriers to gender equality and ensuring equal access to justice.