YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio _ The Mahoning County Juvenile Court, under the leadership of Judge Theresa Dellick, this week announced that Gina DeGenova and Linette Stratford will join the court as magistrates effective Jan. 1.
“The court has experienced an increase in complex custody and third-party docket filings the past few years,” says Dellick. “In order to keep the dockets timely and current, the court found it necessary to hire additional magistrates. The Court believes Gina DeGenova and Linette Stratford, who are both familiar with the court’s duties and responsibilities as well as the governing laws, were best suited to fill these positions.”
DeGenova is a lifelong resident of the Mahoning Valley. She graduated cum laude with a B.S. from Youngstown State University and earned her juris doctorate from Cleveland State University Law School in 2000. She began her legal career with Harrington, Hoppe, and Mitchell, practicing primarily in commercial and tort litigation.
In 2005, DeGenova joined the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office, where she served for 16 years, handling thousands of cases. She also served as lead advisor and counsel to various local agencies and law enforcement. In 2021, she was promoted to chief assistant prosecutor and public information officer. In January 2023, she made history as the first woman to be sworn in as Mahoning County prosecutor. She subsequently launched key public safety initiatives such as the Blue Envelope Program and the creation of a Special Victims Unit.
DeGenova is also active in several civic organizations, including the Youngstown Lion’s Club and the Youngstown Business and Professional Women’s Association, where she serves as vice president.
Stratford graduated cum laude from Youngstown State University and earned her juris doctorate from Ohio State College of Law in 1990. After practicing at a private law firm specializing in commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and taxation, she joined the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office in 1994.
Stratford became chief of the civil division in 1999, and chief assistant in 2011, managing both the criminal and civil divisions. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Youngstown State University, teaching business ethics, professional ethics, and philosophy of law, and provides professional ethics training to attorneys. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the National District Attorneys Association and the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association.