Lynn Toler

{{short description|American lawyer and TV judge}} {{Infobox person | name = Lynn Toler | image = Lynn Toler Nov 2019.png | caption = Toler in November 2006 | birth_name = Lynn Candace Toler | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|10|25}} | birth_place = Columbus, Ohio, U.S. | occupation = {{flatlist| *Judge *lawyer *arbitrator}} | years_active = 2001–present | spouse = {{marriage|Eric Mumford|1989|2022|reason=died}} | children = 6 | education = Harvard University (AB) University of Pennsylvania (JD) | political_party = Republican (until 2016)<ref>{{cite web|title= Judge Lynn Toler: Yes, I'm Republican|date=24 September 2012 |url=https://foxync.com/2597589/judge-lynn-toler-yes-im-republican/|publisher=FOXY N.C.|accessdate=23 May 2022}}</ref> Independent(2016–present) <ref>{{cite web|title= Tweet by Judge Lynn Toler|url=https://twitter.com/realjudgelynn/status/691703834222002176|publisher=Twitter|accessdate=23 May 2022}}</ref> | website = {{URL|judgelynn.com|Official website}} }} '''Lynn Candace Toler''' (born October 25, 1959)<ref name="court">{{cite web|title=Meet Judge Lynn|url=https://www.divorcecourt.com/meet-judge-lynn/|website=Divorce Court|accessdate=6 September 2017}}</ref><ref name="bio">{{cite web|title=JudgeLynn.com|url=http://judgelynn.com/|publisher=Lynn Toler|accessdate=6 September 2017}}</ref> is an American lawyer, judge, television arbitrator, and television presenter, best-known for her role as arbitrator on ''Divorce Court''. With her 14 seasons on the show, between 2006 and 2020, Toler is the longest-reigning arbitrator on the series.

Toler is also known for her co-hosting role (together with Dr. Ish Major) as a marriage mentor for the series ''Marriage Boot Camp,'' specifically ''Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars - Hip Hop Edition.'' To date, Toler has presented ''Marriage Boot Camp'' for three seasons since the show's 16th season, which began on February 6, 2020.<ref name="LosAngelesCBSLocal">{{cite news|url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/01/27/judge-lynn-toler-divorce-marriage-boot-camp-interview/|title='Marriage Requires Sacrifice': Judge Lynn Toler On Divorce & 'Marriage Boot Camp: Hip Hop Edition'|access-date=October 23, 2021|work=Los Angeles CBS Local|date=January 27, 2020|location=United States}}</ref><ref name="Hollywood Life">{{cite news|url=https://hollywoodlife.com/2020/02/06/marriage-boot-camp-judge-lynn-toler-grills-cee-lo-joseline-hernandez/|title='Marriage Boot Camp': Judge Lynn Toler Grills Cee Lo & Joseline Hernandez OnRomance Issues|access-date=October 23, 2021|work=Hollywood Life|last=Rogers|first=Chris|date=February 6, 2020|location=United States}}</ref> Season 18 of ''Marriage Boot Camp'' premiered on October 17, 2021, and Toler was contracted to host the show for an additional 19th season as well, with the series concluding in 2022.<ref name="silive">{{cite news|url=https://www.silive.com/entertainment/2021/10/marriage-boot-camp-returns-with-hip-hop-edition-how-to-watch-time-channel-cast.html|title='Marriage Boot Camp' returns with 'Hip Hop Edition' tonight: How to watch and stream for free|access-date=October 23, 2021|work=Silive|last=Priola|first=Victoria|date=October 7, 2021|location=United States}}</ref>

==Early life and education== Lynn Toler was born in Columbus, Ohio.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://50bold.com/divorce-courts-judge-lynn-toler-chats-with-50bold/ | title=Divorce Court's Judge Lynn Toler chats with 50BOLD | date=April 2018 | publisher=50bold | accessdate=4 June 2020}}</ref> She graduated from Columbus School for Girls, and went on to earn an undergraduate degree in English and American Literature from Harvard College (class of 1981) and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School (1984).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.martindale.com/Lynn-C-Toler/1440467-lawyer.htm|title=Lynn C. Toler Lawyer Profile - martindale.com|work=martindale.com|accessdate=23 July 2015}}</ref>

==Career== In 1993, at 34-years-old and after working as an attorney specializing in civil matters, Toler won her first judicial race by just six votes, as a Republican in a predominantly Democratic district.<ref name="CS">{{cite news |last1=Meiser |first1=Rebecca |title=Here Comes the Judge |url=https://www.clevescene.com/news/here-comes-the-judge-1495150 |access-date=13 October 2024 |work=Cleveland Scene |date=June 14, 2006}}</ref><ref name="AJC">{{cite news |last1=Ho |first1=Randy |title=INTERVIEW: Judge Lynn Toler creates fictionalized drama about her life on ALLBLK's 'Judge Me Not' |url=https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/interview-judge-lynn-toler-creates-fictionalized-drama-about-her-life-on-allblks-judge-me-not/WEAJXC4IBNCT7BP3ZHNSVAAQBE/ |access-date=13 October 2024 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=May 30, 2023}}</ref> From 1994-2000, she served as Cleveland Heights Municipal Court's sole judge, with her cases involving all misdemeanor crimes, traffic violations, and minor-cost civil cases.<ref> *https://www.clevelandheightscourt.com/pdf/annualReport1993.pdf *https://www.clevelandheightscourt.com/pdf/annualReport1994.pdf *https://www.clevelandheightscourt.com/pdf/annualReport1995.pdf *https://www.clevelandheightscourt.com/pdf/annualReport1996.pdf *https://www.clevelandheightscourt.com/pdf/annualReport1997.pdf *https://www.clevelandheightscourt.com/pdf/annualReport1998.pdf *https://www.clevelandheightscourt.com/pdf/annualReport1999.pdf *https://www.clevelandheightscourt.com/pdf/annualReport2000.pdf *https://www.clevelandheightscourt.com/pdf/annualReport2001.pdf </ref> Toler was known for enforcing non-traditional judgments, such as handwritten essays, and for creating mentoring and intervention programs.<ref name="CS"/><ref name="AJC"/> Between 2001 and 2006, Toler was an adjunct professor at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio, where she taught courses on Civil Rights Law and Women's Rights.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lynn Toler {{!}} HuffPost |url=https://www.huffpost.com/author/lynn-toler |access-date=2025-09-09 |website=www.huffpost.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Television and entertainment career== ===Court show judge (2001-2020)=== During the 2001-02 television season, Toler replaced Andrew Napolitano as the presiding judge over the nontraditional courtroom series, ''Power of Attorney''.<ref name="CS"/> The program was canceled after that television year, however, with the show as a whole only lasting two seasons.<ref name="CS"/>

Toler experienced much greater success within the court-show genre when she became arbitrating judge over ''Divorce Court'', the longest-running program in the court television genre, and one of the longest-syndicated programs of all time. Toler took over the bench beginning on September 11, 2006, with the premiere of the court show's 24th season, replacing Mablean Ephriam<ref name="CS"/><ref>[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6319479.html?display=Breaking+News] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312051910/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6319479.html?display=Breaking+News|date=March 12, 2007}}</ref> (of whom Toler has said she is fond and with whom Toler has had pleasant interactions).<ref name="Bonding with Byrd Ep 65"/> Toler would eventually become ''Divorce Court''{{'}}s longest-reigning judge (the series also features four other judges who have each had their tenures), presiding over the broadcast for 14 seasons. As the level-headed arbiter of ''Divorce Court'', Toler was frequently seen providing counsel, words of wisdom, and trying to talk sense into the show's often outrageous couples. She used her vehement expression, emphasis, and strident vocal timbre to deliver her points.

In 2007, while hosting ''Divorce Court'', she expanded her television presence by hosting the prime time television show and MyNetworkTV's ''Decision House'', a couples therapy program.<ref>[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6460104.html Judge Lynn Toler to Host MyNetworkTV's "Decision House"], ''Broadcasting & Cable'', July 13, 2007</ref> In 2008 and 2009, Toler was a regular contributor on ''News and Notes'', a weekly news show on National Public Radio (NPR).<ref>{{cite web |title=Dealing With Addiction From The Judge's Bench |url=https://www.npr.org/2008/08/13/93564788/dealing-with-addiction-from-the-judges-bench |publisher=NPR |access-date=13 October 2024 |date=August 13, 2008}}</ref>

Toler departed ''Divorce Court'' after 14 years, announced publicly in March 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/tv/divorce-court-lynn-toler-exits-after-13-years-faith-jenkins-replaces-her/|title=Divorce Court's Lynn Toler Exits Series After '13 Great Years' as She Praises Her Replacement|website=PEOPLE.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-06}}</ref> During an October 19, 2021, interview on Bailiff Byrd's ''Bonding with Byrd'' web series, Toler elaborated on details of her ''Divorce Court'' resignation, citing a list of dissatisfactions she had with production. Among them, Toler recounted efforts made by production to move the program into a more farcical, comedic direction following the popularity of her "Rolling Ray" ''Divorce Court'' case.<ref name="Bonding with Byrd Ep 65">{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmQc8B_Aj2M |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/VmQc8B_Aj2M |archive-date=2021-12-17 |url-status=live|title=Bonding With Byrd: Episode 65|access-date=October 19, 2021|work=YouTube|last1=Byrd|first1=Petri Hawkins|last2=Bond|first2=Markita|date=October 19, 2018|location=United States}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-21|title=Divorce Court, you won't believe what you're watching is real|url=https://999ktdy.com/divorce-court-you-wont-believe-what-your-watching-is-real/|website=99.9KTDY}}</ref> Toler has also cited various other objections she had during her final season, such as the show's relocation from Los Angeles to Atlanta and a vastly altered, simulated "courtroom" set design that led to her having physical discomfort while ruling on cases. During the ''Bonding with Byrd'' interview, Toler also cited regular altercations with the ''Divorce Court'' crew, thus fueling her decision to resign from the program. Still, she has expressed grace for the opportunity to preside over the court show, which has since been presided over by Faith Jenkins (2020–2022) and Star Jones (2022–).<ref name="distractify.com">{{Cite web|date=2020-04-24|title=Judge Lynn Toler Was a Staple of 'Divorce Court' so Where Did She Go?|url=https://www.distractify.com/p/what-happened-to-judge-lynn-toler|website=Distractify}}</ref><ref name="ajc.com">{{Cite web|date=2021-04-12|title=Lynn Toler on why she's leaving 'Divorce Court' and whether this pandemic will lead to more domestic violence and divorce|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/lynn-toler-why-she-leaving-divorce-court-and-whether-this-pandemic-will-lead-more-domestic-violence-and-divorce/rMUBDPXlKMtrj9EsziHi7I/|website=TheAtlantaConstitution}}</ref>

During her interview with Byrd, Toler added that while she didn't miss the show, as she had chosen to leave, she did miss the show in the form it was presented in prior to her final season.<ref name="distractify.com"/><ref name="ajc.com"/>

===Post-''Divorce Court''=== Since February 2020, Toler has hosted the We TV hit series, ''Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars''.<ref name="LosAngelesCBSLocal"/><ref name="Hollywood Life"/>

In May 2023, streaming service Allblk announced a deal with Toler where she would write and executive produce the drama Judge Me Not.<ref name="AJC"/><ref name="DC">{{cite news |last1=Bowe |first1=Jillian |title=Judge Lynn Toler's Legal Soap Judge Me Not Premieres May 25 on ALLBLK |url=https://daytimeconfidential.com/2023/05/01/judge-lynn-tolers-legal-soap-judge-me-not-premieres-may-25-on-allblk |access-date=13 October 2024 |work=Daytime Confidential |date=May 1, 2023}}</ref> The show was loosely based on her life, focusing on a Black female judge who joins an Atlanta municipal court after being elected by six votes.<ref name="AJC"/><ref name="DC"/><ref>{{cite news |title=New show inspired by Judge Lynn Toler's life |url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/video/1224563 |access-date=13 October 2024 |work=Fox5 Atlanta |date=May 23, 2023}}</ref>

==Authoring career== Toler is the author of ''My Mother's Rules: A Practical Guide to Becoming an Emotional Genius'', in which she describes lessons her mother, Shirley (nicknamed Toni), taught her to handle both her father Bill Toler's erratic behavior and her own inner demons. She describes how this later came in handy when dealing with emotional people from the bench. She also discusses how to apply these rules to everyday life.

In 2009, her second book, ''Put it In Writing'' (co-authored with Deborah Hutchison), was published. This book contains agreements for use in common but uncomfortable situations between family and friends, such as lending money, and grown children returning home.

Judge Toler is also author of ''Making Marriage Work'' and ''Dear Sonali, Letters to the Daughter I Never had.''

==Personal life== Toler resides in Mesa, Arizona.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Judge Lynn Toler |url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/judge-lynn-toler-6439492 |access-date=2025-09-09 |website=Phoenix New Times |language=en}}</ref> Toler and her husband, Eric Mumford, married on April 6, 1989, and Toler has two sons and four stepsons.<ref name="Vibe">{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Prezzy |title=Judge Lynn Toler's Husband, Eric Mumford, Dead At 71 |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/national/judge-lynn-toler-husband-eric-mumford-dead-1234724575/ |access-date=13 October 2024 |work=Vibe |date=January 5, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Ebony">{{cite news |last1=Grove |first1=Rashad |title=Judge Lynn Toler's Husband Eric Mumford Has Passed Away |url=https://www.ebony.com/judge-lynn-tolers-husband-eric-mumford-has-passed-away/ |access-date=13 October 2024 |work=Ebony |date=January 6, 2023}}</ref> On January 4, 2023, Judge Toler announced via social media that Eric Mumford died on December 23, 2022.<ref name="Vibe"/><ref name="Ebony"/>

Though identifying as a political Independent since 2017, and having once served as an Ohio judge as a Republican, Toler has donated exclusively to candidates aligned with the Democratic Party including Jaime Harrison, Amy McGrath, and President Joe Biden.<ref>{{cite web|title=Individual Contributions|url=https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Lynn+Toler|accessdate=14 September 2023|work=fec.gov}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://divorce.sodaandlime.com/meet-judge-lynn/ Lynn Toler bio] ''divorcecourt.com'' * [http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/here-comes-the-judge/Content?oid=1495150] at Cleveland Scene, 6/14/2006, "Here Comes the Judge." * [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9681916 NPR: Television Judge Lynn Toler's Real-Life Struggles] * [http://blackvoices.aol.com/black_entertainment/books_excerpts_reviews_bestsellers/more-than-words-my-mothers-rules Lynn Toler's ''My Mother's Rules''] at AOL Black Voices * [http://www.upenn.edu/gazette/0910/pro05.html] at "Order in the Divorce Court" in the ''Pennsylvania [University] Gazette'', September/October 2010.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Toler, Lynn}} Category:African-American television personalities Category:Ohio Republicans Category:Ohio state court judges Category:Harvard College alumni Category:University of Pennsylvania Law School alumni Category:African-American judges Category:People from Mesa, Arizona Category:Living people Category:Television judges Category:American women judges Category:1959 births Category:21st-century African-American lawyers Category:21st-century African-American women Category:20th-century African-American lawyers Category:20th-century African-American women Category:Columbus School for Girls alumni