Meet Kenny Lieux: Candidate for Vermilion Municipal Judge
Kenneth “Kenny” Lieux is a seasoned trial attorney with over 30 years of courtroom experience, a dedicated public servant, and a proud member of the Vermilion community. He is running as an independent candidate for Vermilion Municipal Judge, bringing a lifelong commitment to justice, fairness, and service to the people of Vermilion, as well as the townships of Brownhelm, Florence, and Vermilion.
Kenny’s legal journey began in Elyria, Ohio, where he was born the fifth of eight children and learned early the values of hard work, perseverance, and integrity. He graduated from Elyria High School in 1976, went on to earn his Bachelor of Business Administration from Ohio University in 1980, and completed his Juris Doctor at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1983. Kenny was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1984, the California Bar in 1985, and is also licensed to practice before the Federal Court for the Northern District of Ohio and the United States Supreme Court.
Throughout his distinguished career, Kenny has served in nearly every role the justice system has to offer. He began as an Assistant Public Defender in Cuyahoga County, defending individuals who could not afford legal representation. He then served as an Assistant Prosecutor in Elyria, North Ridgeville, and the Village of Grafton, where he gained a deep understanding of both sides of the courtroom. This well-rounded perspective makes Kenny uniquely qualified to serve with fairness and impartiality from the bench.
Kenny was Rule 20 Certified, a rare designation that qualified him to serve as Lead Trial Counsel in capital murder cases—a reflection of his legal acumen, composure under pressure, and commitment to due process. He has tried every type of case, from speeding violations to the most serious felonies, and has appeared in every Municipal Court in Ohio. His experience as an Acting Judge in both the Vermilion and Elyria Municipal Courts, as well as an arbitrator for the Lorain County Common Pleas Court, has prepared him to uphold the high standards of the judiciary with fairness, compassion, and a strong respect for the rule of law.
Beyond the courtroom, Kenny has shown unwavering dedication to public service. He currently serves on the Board of Commissioners for the Lorain County Metroparks and the Lorain County Corrections Planning Board. He previously served as Chairman of the Vermilion Civil Service Commission, appointed by Mayor Eileen Bulan and Mayor Jim Forthofer, and served on the Legal Ethics and Grievances Committee of the Lorain County Bar Association. Kenny has also volunteered as a youth soccer coach with Firelands/SAFU, showing his heart for mentorship and community engagement.
Kenny is an active member of the Lorain County Bar Association, Erie County Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, and the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Kenny lives in Vermilion/Brownhelm Township with his wife Alisa Lieux (née Velasquez) and their beloved dogs. Together, they enjoy life with their blended family of seven children and five grandchildren. In his free time, Kenny can often be found on the Vermilion River, heading toward the lake with a dog or two along for the ride.
Through his campaign for Vermilion Municipal Judge, Kenny Lieux pledges to bring his decades of legal experience, even-handed temperament, and deep respect for the community to the bench. His mission is simple: to ensure that everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect, and that Vermilion’s Municipal Court continues to reflect the values and integrity of the people it serves.