Personal Bailiff to Judge Scott

Jessica Alvis, Esq. serves as Judge Scott’s Personal Bailiff. She joined Cleveland Housing Court in 2020 as a Staff Attorney in the Magistrate Department. Prior to her tenure with the Court she served as a Cuyahoga County Prosecutor pursuing justice for the children of Cuyahoga County for six years. Alvis also gained experience working to ensure financial support for Cuyahoga County’s children through her work with the Prosecutor’s Child Support Unit. Alvis earned her Juris Doctorate from Cleveland Marshall College of Law and her Bachelor’s degree from John Carroll University.

Court Administrator

Jeffrey D. Johnson, Esq. serves as Court Administrator for Cleveland Housing Court. Johnson was previously Chief Housing Court Specialist where he was responsible for the supervision of housing specialists. He managed the assignment of cases to housing specialists and assisted Judge Scott and Housing Court staff successfully through the assignment of specialist to provide additional assistance when needed. Johnson is a former Cleveland Councilman, and Ohio State Senator who has been a champion for important social issues such as removing dangerous lead from homes and investing in city neighborhoods. Johnson earned his Bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from Kent State University, a Master’s degree in political science and Juris Doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University. He also studied briefly at the Cornell University in the City Planning and Development school. He has substantial experience in public policy development and analysis. He has worked successfully in both the public and private sectors as a strategic planner and advisor in governmental, non-profit and political organizations.

Deputy Court Administrator

Neida N. Miller serves as the Deputy Court Administration/Human Resources Director for Cleveland Housing Court. She has 20 years of diverse HR experience specifically in the areas of Employee Relations, HR compliance and best practices, and policy and procedure development.  Prior to taking on her current role, Neida was the Human Resources and Personnel Specialist with Cleveland Municipal Court General Division from 2003 until January 2020, where she on-boarded new employees, addressed employee issues and trained and guided managers on HR processes. Neida began her public service career with the City of Cleveland under the leadership of former Mayor Michael R. White as once his personal scheduler and community liaison. Neida earned an Associate’s degree in small business management from Cuyahoga Community College, a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Capital University, a Master’s degree in human resource management and development from Keller Graduate School of Management of Devry University. Neida achieved the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional SHRM-CP designation and is currently enrolled in the National Center for State Courts Institute for Court Management.

Chief Housing Court Specialist

Belinda Gest, Esq. serves as the Chief Housing Specialist for Cleveland Housing Court. She is a graduate of Ohio University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in organizational communications and a Master’s degree in education. She received a Juris Doctorate degree from Cleveland Marshall College of Law. Prior to her tenure with Cleveland Housing Court, Mrs. Gest served as a prosecutor, worked in fair housing, and enjoyed careers in private practice, counseling and education.  She is licensed to teach grades 7-12 in history, government, geography and economics. She is married and is mom to two teachers and a college sophomore. Her father was a highly decorated Vietnam veteran and was one of the first black police officers hired in East Cleveland, Ohio. She is a graduate of Shaw High School.

Chief Magistrate

Tracey S. Gonzalez, Esq. serves as Chief Magistrate for the Cleveland Housing Court. In this position she oversees the Magistrate Department, which hears cases between individuals, corporations and other entities. These cases most often involve landlord/tenant matters such as Forcible Entry and Detainer (evictions), motions to stay evictions, temporary restraining orders for utility shut-off, motions to compel repairs, rent deposits, motions for release of rents, and motions to prohibit re-rental. Other civil actions include foreclosure, receivership, and nuisance abatements.  Prior to her tenure with Cleveland Housing Court, Gonzalez was formerly a Foreclosure Magistrate with the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division; serving in that role from December 2005 until December 2019 and previously served the Court as Staff Attorney to the Honorable Judge Lillian J. Green.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida A&M University, cum laude and her Juris Doctorate degree from Cleveland Marshall College of Law. While attending Marshall she was honored to be the recipient of the Cleveland Merit Scholarship and writer for the Journal of Law and Health. Additionally she received the Cali Award for Excellence in Law & Public Policy, Women and the Law, and Juvenile Law Seminar. She is licensed to practice law in Ohio as well as the state of Georgia. 

Chief Bailiff

Stephanie Hall, Esq. serves as the Chief Bailiff for the Cleveland Housing Court. Stephanie received her Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Cincinnati, (Cincinnati, Ohio) in 1991 and began her law enforcement career in 1993 as a Cleveland Police Officer. Stephanie served as a Cleveland Police Officer for 11 years.  Stephanie has prior law enforcement experience as a full-time Administrative Sergeant with Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), as a full-time police officer with Case Western Reserve University and as a part-time police officer with Cleveland State University. In 2001, Stephanie attained her Juris Doctorate degree from Cleveland Marshal College of Law and her LL. M. (Master of Laws), cum laude, in 2007 from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida. Stephanie served as an Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor for seven years and also served as the Region Four Supervisor at the Prosecutor’s Office.  As a supervisor, Stephanie managed Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutors with criminal cases originating from the following jurisdictions: Cleveland Division of Police (Fourth District), Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, South Euclid, University Heights, Richmond Heights, Beachwood, Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village, and Highland Heights. Stephanie is a member of the Ohio Bar and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Director of Communications

Jayah J. Watters-Clark serves as Director of Communications for Cleveland Housing Court. In this role she oversees court communications and media relations for the Court. Before joining Cleveland Housing Court, Jayah served as Communications Manager for Youth Opportunities Unlimited and prior to that Communications Coordinator for the City of Cleveland’s Office of the Mayor under the direction of Mayor Frank G. Jackson. She earned a Master’s degree in communications management from John Carroll University and a Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Cleveland State University. Jayah is a wife and mom of two and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.