Magistrate Jeralyn Goldberg Mercer graduated from Youngstown State University in 1976 with a B.S.A.S. degree in Criminal Justice-Corrections. She worked as a Management Analyst for the State of New Mexico prior to attending University of Akron School of Law. Since 1993, Magistrate Mercer began her private practice focusing on child advocacy and business law. Magistrate Mercer is a previous recipient of the Mahoning County Bar Association’s Distinguished Service Award for her extensive service as a Guardian Ad Litem and Special Investigator in child custody cases. Magistrate Mercer became a part-time magistrate in January 2006. Magistrate Mercer presides over the Dependency, Neglect and Abuse docket.