Contact Information
The Common Pleas Court of Seneca County is housed in the Justice Center in Tiffin, Ohio.
Judge Steve C. Shuff
Magistrate Kenneth C. Clason
103 E. Market Street, Suite 301
Tiffin, OH 44883
Telephone: (419) 448-1302
Fax: (419) 443-7927
Judge Damon D. Alt
Magistrate Rebeka Beresh
103 E. Market Street, Suite 401
Tiffin, OH 44883
Telephone: (419) 447-2982
Fax: (419) 448-7103
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday
8:30 AM – Noon
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
The Seneca County Common Pleas Courts observe the following holidays and will be closed:
- New Years Day
- Martin Luther King Day
- Presidents’ Day
- Good Friday
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans’ Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Day After Thanksgiving
- ½ Christmas Eve Day
- Christmas Day
The Seneca County Common Pleas Court shall be closed on any Level 3 Snow or Weather Emergency.
Judge Steve C. Shuff & Staff
Judge Steve C. Shuff
1999 - Present
Judge for the Common Pleas Court (Seneca County, OH)
Magistrate Kenneth C. Clason
2011 - Present
Magistrate for Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve C. Shuff
Lori A. Brickner
Court Administrator/Civil Bailiff
Email: lbrickner@senecaohcourts.gov
From 1999 through May 2014, Mrs. Brickner worked as the Domestic Relations Bailiff for Judge Shuff. She then transitioned to the Court Administrator and Civil Bailiff. She earned an Associate Degree in 1992 from the University of Toledo, and a Bailiff Basic Training Program certificate from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in July 2014.
Melissa Aldrich
Criminal Bailiff
Email: maldrich@senecaohcourts.gov
Joining Judge Shuff's staff in October of 2006, Melissa is the bailiff for the criminal division and completed the Ohio Bailiff Basic Training Program in July of 2007. Prior to her employment with Judge Shuff, Melissa was employed with the Seneca County Prosecutor's Office as a secretary in the criminal division for over six years.
Lidia Lee
Domestic Relations Bailiff/Assignment Commissioner
Email: llee@senecaohcourts.gov
Joining Judge Shuff’s team in 2023, Lidia assists the Magistrate with Domestic cases as well as some Criminal cases. She assists with the selection and sustainment of the Jurors for the Seneca County Common Pleas Court. Lidia previously worked as the Victim Advocate at the County Prosecutor’s Office. Her education includes Associate Degree in Paralegal from Brown Mackie College and Bachelor Degree in Arts with a Major in Legal Studies from Nicolaus Copernicus University, Faculty of Law and Administration, Poland.
Judge Damon D. Alt & Staff
Judge Damon D. Alt
2023 - Present
Judge for the Common Pleas Court (Seneca County, OH)
Magistrate Rebeka Beresh
2023 - Present
Magistrate for Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Damon D. Alt
Lisa Russell
Court Administrator/Civil Bailiff Email: lrussell@senecaohcourts.gov Upon the election of Judge Damon D. Alt, Lisa is the Court Administrator / Civil Bailiff for the court. Prior to working with Judge Alt, Lisa worked as Court Administrator/Civil Bailiff for Judge Kelbley from 2014 until his retirement December 2022. Prior to her employment with Judge Kelbley she was employed as the Seneca County Law Librarian (2007-2014). Lisa was a Court Reporter from 2004-2012. She attended The Academy of Court Reporting in Columbus and CIMS College in Whitehall. Lisa received her Bailiff Basic Training Program certificate from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in July 2014; certificate in Defensive Tactics for Female Officers in September 2014; certificate in Tactical Baton in August 2016. In November 2017 Lisa received a certificate from The Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College Court Management Program as a Certified Court Manager.
Amy Dolan
Domestic Relations Bailiff/Assistant Jury Commissioner
Email: adolan@senecaohcourts.gov
Amy has worked as the Domestic Relations Bailiff for the Seneca County Common Pleas Court since 2007. Prior to working in Seneca County, she was the Domestic Relations Assignment Commissioner in Crawford County. She primarily assists Magistrate Rebeka Beresh with Domestic cases, as well as some Criminal cases. She assists with the selection of Jurors for the Common Pleas Court and maintains the juror records. Her education includes an Associate Degree in Paralegal from the University of Toledo. She completed the Ohio Bailiff Basic Training Program from the Ohio Peace Training Academy in July of 2007.
Denise Stephens
Criminal Bailiff
Email: dmstephens@senecaohcourts.gov
Denise joined Judge Alt's team in 2023 as the Criminal Bailiff. She was previously employed as Domestic Relations Bailiff and Assistant Jury Commissioner for Seneca County Common Pleas Court, and by the Tiffin City Prosecutor's Office and Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court. Her education includes an Associate Degree from Tiffin University and Bailiff Officer Firearms Training Program from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.