COLUMBUS, Ohio - Governor John Kasich has appointed Springfield Township attorney Shirley J. Christian to replace Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas Judge James Evans who is retiring on October 1.

Christian will assume office on October 2, 2014, and must run in November 2016 to retain the seat for the full term commencing January 1, 2017.

Christian received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from Edinboro University. She received her juris doctorate with distinction from Ohio Northern University.

Christian is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and has served on its Board of Governors and is currently a Trustee for the Mahoning County Bar Association. She currently serves as the board secretary for the Catholic Charities Housing Opportunities Board.

Judge Evans originally planned to retire at the beginning of September, but moved the date back to October to allow his successor to have an extended period of time in office before having to run in a general election.

Judge Evans has expressed an interest in serving as a visiting judge in the future.