About The Court

Judge Sylvain, of Kettering, assumed office on May 18, 2026, and must run for election in November to retain the seat.

“I am humbled that I will be able to continue my service to the people of Montgomery County through this new opportunity with the Juvenile Court,” he said. “It is truly exciting that I will be able to leverage 32 years of legal experience to help children and families of my home county find justice and improve their lives.”

A 1993 graduate of William & Mary Law School, Judge Sylvain gained legal experience while studying for his Juris Doctor by conducting legal research over his summer breaks, first for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C., and later for a circuit court judge in Norfolk, Virginia. He also represented indigent clients in child support cases and unemployment compensation claims through his school’s legal aid clinic.

After graduating, Judge Sylvain moved back to Dayton to begin his career as an assistant prosecuting attorney at the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office, where he served from 1993 until 2002. His work included felony trial litigation and serving as a supervising attorney for the Family Violence Unit.

In 2002, Judge Sylvain became a magistrate in the domestic relations division of the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, where he handled motions and trials pertaining to custody and parenting time, domestic violence protection orders, and interstate child support. He served in that position until his appointment to the bench.