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Historical List of District Judges

District Judge

Years in Office

Commission Date

Oath of Office

Date of Death

Nominating President

Hiram V. Willson 1855-1866 02/20/1885 03/16/1885 11/11/1866 Franklin Pierce (D)
Charles T. Sherman 1867-1872 03/02/1867 03/09/1867 01/01/1879 Andrew Johnson (D)
Martin Welker 1873-1889 Recess Appt* 11/25/1873
Nom. 12/2/1873
Conf. 12/8/1873
11/25/1873 03/15/1902 Ulysses S. Grant (R)
Augustus J. Ricks 1889-1906 07/01/1889 07/31/1889 12/22/1906 Benjamin Harrison (R)
Francis J. Wing 1901-1905 01/23/1901 01/23/1901 02/02/1918 William McKinley (R)
Robert W. Tayler 1905-1910 01/10/1905* 02/02/1905 11/25/1910 Theodore Roosevelt(R)
John M. Killits 1910-1928 06/24/1910 06/30/1910 09/13/1938 William Howard Taft (R)
William L. Day 1911-1914 05/09/1911* 05/09/1911 07/15/1936 William Howard Taft (R)
John H. Clarke 1914-1916 07/21/1914* 07/21/1914 03/22/1945 Woodrow Wilson (D)
David C. Westenhaver 1917-1928 03/14/1917* 03/14/1917 07/29/1928 Woodrow Wilson (D)
Paul Jones 1923-1965 03/02/1923* 03/10/1923 08/04/1965 Warren G. Harding (R)
George P. Hahn 1928-1937 12/17/1928* 12/27/1928 02/12/1937 Calvin Coolidge (R)
Samuel H. West 1928-1938 12/17/1928* 12/28/1928 10/05/1938 Calvin Coolidge (R)
Frank Le Blond Kloeb 1937-1976 08/20/1937* 08/21/1937 03/11/1976 Franklin D. Roosevelt (D)
Robert Nugen Wilkin 1939-1949 06/03/1939* 06/14/1939 02/23/1973 Franklin D. Roosevelt (D)
Emerich Burt Freed 1941-1955 10/07/1941* 10/15/1941 12/04/1955 Franklin D. Roosevelt (D)
Charles J. McNamee 1951-1964 03/09/1951* 03/19/1951 05/02/1964 Harry S. Truman (D)
James C. Connell 1954-1973 08/10/1954* 08/25/1954 10/30/1973 Dwight D. Eisenhower (R)
Paul C. Weick 1956-1959 03/29/1956* 04/16/1956 05/22/1997 Dwight D. Eisenhower (R)
Girard E. Kalbfleisch 1959-1990 09/21/1959* 10/04/1961 04/01/1990 Dwight D. Eisenhower (R)
Frank J. Battisti 1961-1994 09/22/1961* 10/04/1961 10/19/1994 John F. Kennedy (D)
Ben C. Green 1961-1983 Recess Appt* 10/5/61
Perm Appt 7/2/62
11/09/1961 01/12/1983 John F. Kennedy (D)
Don J. Young 1965-1996 05/22/1965* 06/11/1965 05/10/1996 Lyndon B. Johnson (D)
William K. Thomas 1966-1998 03/07/1966* 03/14/1966 03/20/2001 Lyndon B. Johnson (D)
Thomas D. Lambros 1967-1995 08/18/1967* 08/28/1967 12/03/2019 Lyndon B. Johnson (D)
Robert B. Krupansky 1970-1982 10/16/1970* 11/30/1970 11/08/2004 Richard M. Nixon (R)
Nicholas J. Walinski 1970-1992 10/21/1970* 11/06/1970 12/24/1992 Richard M. Nixon (R)
Leroy J. Contie, Jr. 1971-1982 12/06/1971* 12/17/1971 05/11/2001 Richard M. Nixon (R)
John M. Manos 1976-2006 03/29/1976* 04/09/1976 07/06/2006 Gerald Ford (R)
George W. White 1980-1999 05/23/1980* 06/06/1980 11/12/2011 James Earl Carter (D)
Ann Aldrich 1980-2010 05/24/1980* 05/27/1980 05/02/2010 James Earl Carter (D)
Alvin I. Krenzler 1981-1992 12/10/1981 01/08/1982 09/15/2010 Ronald W. Reagan (R)
John W. Potter 1982-2004 06/21/1982 07/09/1982 10/03/2013 Ronald W. Reagan (R)
David D. Dowd, Jr. 1982-2014 09/23/1982 10/08/1982 08/04/2016 Ronald W. Reagan (R)
Sam H. Bell 1982-1998 12/22/1982 01/01/1983 12/23/2010 Ronald W. Reagan (R)
Alice M. Batchelder 1985-1992 04/04/1985 04/15/1985   Ronald W. Reagan (R)
Richard B. McQuade 1986-1989 09/15/1986 11/27/1986   Ronald W. Reagan (R)
Paul R. Matia 1991-2005 11/18/1991 12/20/1991   George Bush (R)
Lesley Wells 1994-2015 02/11/1994 02/14/1994   William J. Clinton (D)
James G. Carr 1994-Present 05/09/1994 05/23/1994   William J. Clinton (D)
Solomon Oliver, Jr. 1994-Present 05/09/1994 05/13/1994   William J. Clinton (D)
David A. Katz 1994-2016 10/11/1994 10/21/1994 07/26/2016 William J. Clinton (D)
Kate M. O'Malley 1994-2010 10/12/1994 10/22/1994   William J. Clinton (D)
Peter C. Economus 1995-2010 06/30/1995 07/03/1995   William J. Clinton (D)
Donald C. Nugent 1995-Present 06/30/1995 07/05/1995   William J. Clinton (D)
Patricia A. Gaughan 1996-Present 12/26/1995 01/17/1996   William J. Clinton (D)
James S. Gwin 1997-Present 11/07/1997 11/10/1997   William J. Clinton (D)
Dan Aaron Polster 1998-Present 08/03/1998 08/10/1998   William J. Clinton (D)
John R. Adams 2003-Present 02/12/2003 02/19/2003   George W. Bush (R)
Christopher A. Boyko 2005-Present 01/03/2005 01/04/2005   George W. Bush (R)
Jack Zouhary 2006-Present 03/18/2006 04/05/2006   George W. Bush (R)
Sara E. Lioi 2007-Present 03/14/2007 03/16/2007   George W. Bush (R)
Benita Y. Pearson 2010-Present 12/27/2010 12/29/2010   Barack Obama (D)
Jeffrey J. Helmick 2012-Present 06/07/2012 06/18/2012   Barack Obama (D)
Pamela A. Barker 2019-Present 06/18/2019 06/19/2019   Donald J. Trump (R)
James R. Knepp, II 2020-Present 11/13/2020 11/19/2020   Donald J. Trump (R)
J. Philip Calabrese 2020-Present 12/03/2020 12/05/2020   Donald J. Trump (R)
Charles Esque Fleming 2022-Present 02/08/2022 03/11/2022   Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D)
David A. Ruiz 2022-Present 02/08/2022 02/10/2022   Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D)
Bridget Meehan Brennan 2022-Present 02/08/2022 02/10/2022   Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D)

 

*Appointment Date

 

The Ohio District was created by the Act of February 19, 1803 and sessions were required to be held at Chillicothe. Charles Willing Byrd was appointed March 3, 1803 as the first judge of the Ohio District. On February 10, 1855, Ohio was divided into two Districts, the Northern District and the Southern District. District Judge Humphrey Howe Leavitt, who had been serving the District of Ohio since June 30, 1834, became first Judge of the Southern District of Ohio. On February 20, 1855, Hiram V. Willson was appointed first District Judge for the Northern District. Court was required to be held at Cincinnati and Cleveland.

 

 


 

 

HON. HIRAM V. WILLSON - (1855-1866)

The first district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was commissioned February 20, 1855, and took the oath of office on March 16, 1855. He served as district judge until his death in 1866. He was appointed by President Franklin Pierce, democrat.

 

 


 

 

HON. CHARLES T. SHERMAN - (1867-1873)

The second district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was commissioned on March 2, 1867 and took the oath on March 9, 1867. He was a brother of Senator John Sherman and general William Tecumseh Sherman. Judge Sherman served until November 25, 1872, when he resigned. He was appointed by President Andrew Johnson, democrat. (National Union ticket)

 

 


 

 

HON. MARTIN WELKER - (1873-1889)

The third district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was commissioned on November 2, 1873. Judge Welker retired in 1889. He was appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant, republican.

 

 


 

 

HON. AUGUSTUS J. RICKS - (1889-1906)

The fourth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, had been the Clerk of the District Court since June 22, 1886. His commission as Judge was dated July 1, 1889, and he took the oath of office on July 31, 1889. He died on December 22, 1906, but because of ill health performed practically no judicial service after January, 1901. By an Act of Congress, dated December 19, 1900, an additional district judge was provided for the Northern District of Ohio, but the Act carried the limitation that no vacancy in the office of the district Judge of said Northern Judicial District of Ohio shall be filled by appointment, and in case of such vacancy there shall be thereafter one district judge only for said District. He was appointed by President Benjamin Harrison, republican.

 

 


 

 

HON. FRANCIS J. WING - (1901-1905)

The fifth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was commissioned January 23, 1901, to the new position created by the Act of December 19, 1905. After Judge Wing's appointment, Judge Ricks did practically no work in the district because of his ill health. Judge Wing resigned on February 1, 1905. He was appointed by President William McKinley, republican.

 

 


 

 

HON. ROBERT W. TAYLER - (1905-1910)

The sixth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed February 1, 1905, Judge Tayler served until his death which occurred on November 26, 1910. He was appointed district judge by President Theodore Roosevelt, republican.

 

 


 

 

HON. JOHN M. KILLITS - (1911-1914)

The seventh district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed by June 21, 1910 and took the oath of office on June 30, 1910, provision having been made by congress for an additional district judge. Judge Killits' official residence was at Toledo in the Western Division. On October 7, 1928, Judge Killits retired, but had been active in the work and served up to the date of his death by designation of the senior Circuit Judge. He died on September 13, 1938. Judge Killits was appointed district judge by President William Howard Taft, republican.

 

 


 

 

HON. WILLIAM L. DAY - (1911-1914)

The eighth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed May 9, 1911 to succeed Judge Tayler. In 1914, Judge Day retired to resume the practice of law. Judge Day was appointed by President William Howard Taft, republican.

 

 


 

 

HON. JOHN H. CLARKE - (1914-1916)

The ninth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed on July 21, 1914, and served as district judge until his appointment as an Associate Justice of the supreme Court of the United States in 1916. He was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson, democrat. He died in 1945.

 

 


 

 

HON. DAVID C. WESTENHAVER - (1917-1928)

The tenth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed on March 14, 1917 and served until his death which occurred on July 29, 1928. He was appointed district judge by President Woodrow Wilson, democrat.

 

 


 

 

HON. PAUL JONES - (1923-1965)

The eleventh district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed on March 2, 1923, pursuant to the Act of Congress approved September 14, 1992 (vacancy not to be filled). Upon the death of Judge Westenhaver and the retirement of Judge Killits, Judge Jones became senior district judge for the district, which title was later changed to Chief Judge. He served as Chief Judge until August 6, 1959, when he was succeeded as Chief Judge by Judge Kloeb. In May of 1965 he announced his retirement to the status of senior district judge to be effective November 4, 1965, the day before his 85th birthday. Death claimed him on August 4, 1965. He was appointed by President Warren G. Harding, republican.

 

 


 

 

HON. GEORGE P. HAHN - (1928-1937)

The twelfth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed December 26, 1928, and took the oath of office at Toledo, Ohio on December 27, 1928. He was appointed by President Calvin Coolidge, republican to succeed Judge Killits, retired and his official residence was at Toledo in the Western Division. He served until his death on February 12, 1937.

 

 


 

 

HON. SAMUEL H. WEST - (1928-1938)

The thirteenth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed on December 17, 1928, and took the oath of office at Cleveland, Ohio on December 28, 1928. He was appointed by President Calvin Coolidge, republican to succeed Judge Westenhaver, deceased. He served until his death which occurred on October 5, 1938.

 

 


 

 

HON. FRANK LE BLOND KLOEB - (1937-1964)

The fourteenth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed on August 20, 1937, and took the oath of office at Toledo, Ohio on August 21, 1937. He was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, democrat to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Hahn. He succeeded Judge Jones as Chief Judge on August 6, 1959. On June 16, 1960 he was succeeded as Chief Judge by Judge McNamee. He retired to the status of senior district judge on September 30, 1964 and continued serving the designation of the senior Circuit Judge. He died on March 11, 1976.

 

 


 

 

HON. ROBERT NUGEN WILKIN - (1939-1949)

The fifteenth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed on June 3, 1939 and took the oath of office at Cleveland, Ohio on June 14, 1939. He was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, democrat, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge West. He retired on August 31, 1949. Judge Wilkin died on February 23, 1973.

 

 


 

 

HON. EMERICH BURT FREED - (1941-1955)

The sixteenth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed on October 7, 1941, and took the oath of office at Cleveland, Ohio on October 15, 1941. He was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, democrat, following the Act of May 1, 1941, creating four judgeships in Northern Ohio. He served until his death which occurred on December 4, 1955.

 

 


 

 

HON. CHARLES JOSEPH MCNAMEE - (1956-1959)

The seventeenth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed on March 9, 1951 and took the oath of office at Cleveland, Ohio on March 19, 1951. He was appointed by President Harry S. Truman, democrat, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Wilkin. He succeeded Judge Kloeb as Chief Judge on June 16, 1960. He was succeeded as Chief Judge by Judge James C. Connell on December 5, 1960. He served until his death which occurred on May 2, 1964.

 

 


 

 

HON. JAMES C. CONNELL - (1954-1973)

The eighteenth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed on August 10, 1954 and took the oath of office at Cleveland, Ohio on August 25, 1954. He was appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, republican, following the Act of February 10, 1954 creating five judgeships in the Northern District of Ohio. He succeeded Judge McNamee as Chief Judge on December 5, 1960. He was succeeded as Chief Judge by Judge Kalbfleisch on September 20, 1967. He took senior status September, 1971 and served until his death on October 30, 1973.

 

 


 

 

HON. PAUL C. WEICK - (1956-1959)

The nineteenth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed on March 29, 1956 and took the oath of office at Cleveland, Ohio on April 16, 1956. He was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Freed. He served as District Judge until his elevation to United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in 1959. He took the oath of office at Akron,Ohio on October 8, 1959. He was appointed as District Judge by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, republican.

 

 


 

 

HON. GIRARD E. KALBFLEISCH - (1959-1990)

The twentieth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, republican on September 14, 1959 and took the oath of office at Cleveland, Ohio on October 16, 1959. He was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the elevation of Judge Paul C. Weick to the Court of Appeals. He succeeded Judge Connell as Chief Judge on September 20, 1967. He was succeeded by Judge Battisti as Chief Judge on August 4, 1969. He retired to the status of senior district judge on September 30, 1970. He then assumed a limited case load consisting of Mortgage Foreclosure cases that were transferred from the active district judges from the Eastern Division. Judge Kalbfleisch died on April 1, 1990.

 

 


 

 

HON. FRANK J. BATTISTI - (1961-1990)

The twenty-first district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed by President John F. Kennedy, democrat, on September 22, 1961 and took the oath of office at Cleveland,Ohio on October 4, 1961. (His 39th birthday.) His appointment was pursuant to the Act of May 19, 1961 creating six judgeships in Northern Ohio. He succeeded Judge Kalbfleisch as Chief Judge on August 4, 1969. Judge Battisti stepped down as Chief Judge on January 15, 1990-Martin Luther King day. Judge Battisti died on October 19, 1994.

 

 


 

 

HON. BEN C. GREEN - (1961-1983)

The twenty-second district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed by President John F. Kennedy, democrat, by recess appointment on October 5, 1961 and took the oath of office in Cleveland, Ohio on November 9, 1961. He was permanently appointed on July 2, 1962 and took the oath of office on July 30, 1962 for the judgeship created by the Act of May 19, 1961, under which section the first vacancy shall not be filled. Such vacancy occurred with the death of Judge McNamee. He took senior status on January 5, 1976. He died on January 12, 1983.

 

 


 

 

HON. DON J. YOUNG - (1965-1996)

The twenty-third district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, democrat on May 21, 1965 and took the oath of office in Toledo,Ohio on June 11, 1965. He was appointed to succeed Judge Kloeb, retired. He took senior status on July 1, 1980 but maintained a case load of civil cases for the Western Division. He died on May 10, 1996.

 

 


 

 

HON. WILLIAM K. THOMAS - (1966-1998)

The twenty-fourth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, democrat, on March 4, 1966 and took the oath of office at Cleveland, Ohio on March 14, 1966. He filled the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Jones. He opted to take senior status on February 15, 1981. Judge Thomas died on March 20, 2001.

 

 


 

 

HON. THOMAS D. LAMBROS - (1967-1995)

The twenty-fifth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, democrat, on August 18, 1967 and took the oath of office at Cleveland,Ohio on August 28, 1967. His appointment was pursuant to the Act of March 18, 1966, Pub.Law 89-372, Sec. 2(a), providing for an additional district judge raising the number of judgeships to seven. Judge Lambros succeeded Judge Battisti as Chief Judge for the Northern District of Ohio on January 15, 1990. He was sworn in as Chief Judge by Judge Celebrezze. Judge Lambros retired from the bench on February 10, 1995. Judge Lambros died on December 3, 2019.

 

 


 

 

HON. ROBERT B. KRUPANSKY - (1959-1990)

The twenty-sixth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed on October 16, 1970 and took the oath of office at Cleveland, Ohio on November 30, 1970. His appointment was pursuant to the Act of June 2, 1970, Pub. Law 91-272, 84 Stat. 294, providing for an additional district judge, raising the number of judgeships to eight. He was appointed by President Richard M. Nixon, republican. He was elevated to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals (confirmed on March 4, 1982, commissioned on March 10, 1982) and took office on March 19, 1982.  He died on November 8, 2004.

 

 


 

 

HON. NICHOLAS J. WALINSKI - (1970-1992)

The twenty-seventh district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed by President Richard M. Nixon, republican on October 21, 1970. He was appointed to succeed Judge Kalbfleisch who took senior status. He took senior status on December 1, 1985 and served until his death on December 24, 1992.

 

 


 

 

HON. LEROY J. CONTIE, JR. - (1971-1982)

The twenty-eighth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed by President Richard M. Nixon, republican, on December 6, 1971 and took the oath of office in Cleveland,Ohio on December 17, 1971. He was appointed to succeed Judge Connell. Judge Contie was elevated to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on March 9, 1982.  Judge Contie passed away on May 11, 2001.

 

 


 

 

HON. JOHN M. MANOS - (1976-2006)

The twenty-ninth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was appointed by President Gerald R. Ford, republican, on April 5, 1976. He took the oath of office on April 9, 1976 in Cleveland, Ohio. Judge Manos was appointed to succeed Judge Green who took senior status. Judge Manos took senior status on April 1, 1991 and served until his death on July 6, 2006.

 

 


 

 

HON. GEORGE WASHINGTON WHITE - (1980-2011)

The thirtieth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed by President James Earl Carter, democrat, on May 23, 1980 and took the oath of office in Cleveland, Ohio on June 6, 1980. Judge White succeeded Judge Lambros as Chief Judge of the Northern District of Ohio on February 10, 1995 until he assumed senior status on February 26, 1999.  He passed away on November 12, 2011.

 

 


 

 

HON. ANN ALDRICH - (1980-2010)

The thirty-first district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was appointed by President James Earl Carter, democrat, on May 24, 1980 and took the oath of office in Cleveland, Ohio on May 26, 1980. Judge Aldrich took senior status on May 12, 1995 and served until her death on May 2, 2010.

 

 


 

 

HON. ALVIN I. KRENZLER - (1981-1992)

The thirty-second district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was nominated by President Ronald Wilson Reagan, republican, on November 17, 1981 and received his commission on December 10, 1981.  He was sworn in on December 24, 1981 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was appointed a common pleas judge in 1968 by Governor Rhodes who later named him to the Ohio Attorney General's Office, a trial lawyer for the Internal Revenue Service in Washington and a private lawyer. Judge Krenzler took senior status on January 1, 1992. He retired from the bench effective July 6, 1992.  Judge Krenzler died on September 15, 2010.

 

 


 

 

HON. JOHN W. POTTER - (1982-2013)

The thirty-third district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was nominated by President Ronald Wilson Reagan, republican. He was confirmed on June 17, 1982 and sworn in on July 9, 1982. He succeeded William K. Thomas of Cleveland who retired to senior status. Judge Potter was a former Mayor of Toledo which was his official duty station in the Western Division. Judge Potter took senior status on August 1, 1992 and served until his death on October 3, 2013.

 

 


 

 

HON. DAVID D. DOWD, JR. - (1982-2014)

The thirty-fourth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was nominated by President Ronald Wilson Reagan, republican. He was confirmed on September 22, 1982 and sworn in on October 8, 1982. Judge Dowd is a former Massillon councilman, Stark County Prosecutor, Judge on the Fifth District Court of Appeals and Ohio Supreme Court Justice. Judge Dowd replaced Judge Leroy J. Contie, Jr. who was elevated to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Dowd is the second district judge to sit in Akron. Judge Dowd took senior status on June 30, 1996 and served until his retirement from the bench on July 31, 2014. Judge Dowd died on August 4, 2016.

 

 


 

 

HON. SAM H. BELL - (1983-2010)

The thirty-fifth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio was nominated by President Ronald Wilson Reagan, republican. He was nominated on November 23, 1982 and confirmed on December 22, 1982. Judge Bell was born in Rochester, New York and came to Akron as an infant. He graduated from BuchtelHigh School, the College of Wooster, and the University of Akron School of Law. He also did graduate work at the American University in Washington, D.C. Judge Bell was a former Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Judge, Summit County Common Pleas Judge and the Ninth District Court of Appeals Judge. He resigned from that position to speed upon his appointment to the United States District Court. Judge Bell was informally sworn in on December 30, 1982 by senior Circuit Judge Paul C. Weick and his official duty station was designated as Akron, Ohio. He was formally sworn in on January 14, 1983 in Akron and was presented with General Order No. 63, which by the majority of the United States district judges informed him that he was to sit in Cleveland. On November 8, 1983, Judge Bell returned to Akron on a permanent basis giving the Akron Court two permanent district judges. Judge Bell took senior status on October 30, 1996 and served until his death on December 23, 2010.

 

 


 

 

HON. ALICE MOORE BATCHELDER - (1985-1992)

The thirty-sixth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President Ronald Wilson Reagan, republican. She was nominated on February 28, 1985 and was confirmed at midnight on April 3, 1985. Judge Alice M. Batchelder was born on August 15, 1944 in Wilmington, Delaware, and is married to William G. Batchelder, III and has two children. She is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and attended from 1961 through 1964. She taught English, History and Speech in the Franklin County Schools, Plan Local School District from 1965-1966, the Upper Arlington Schools, Jones Junior High School from 1967-1968. She attended Akron University Law School from 1969 to 1971 receiving her Juris Doctor Degree in 1971. While attending Akron University her class rank was the top 10% of her class and she was the Editor and Chief of the Akron Law Review from 1970 through 1971. She joined the law firm of Williams and Batchelder as an associate of that firm in 1971 until she was appointed a Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Ohio on March 1, 1983 filling the vacancy created by Bankruptcy Judge Mark Schlachet, who resigned on October 4, 1982. She had the position of Bankruptcy Judge until her appointment to the District Court. Judge Batchelder was informally sworn in on April 15, 1985 at approximately 9:00 a.m. by District Judge John M. Manos in chambers. She was formally sworn in on April 26, 1985. The formal swearing in ceremony commenced at 11:00 a.m. in Cleveland, Ohio in Judge Lambros' courtroom. Judge Lambros was appointed acting Chief Judge for the ceremony and Judge Manos administered the oath. She was elevated to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and took the oath on January 4, 1992 in Medina, Ohio.

 

 


 

 

HON. RICHARD B. McQUADE, JR. - (1986-1989)

The thirty-seventh district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by Ronald Wilson Reagan, republican. He was confirmed on September 12, 1986. Judge McQuade was a former Fulton County prosecutor and was appointed to the Common Pleas bench in 1978 and elected to a six year term in 1980. He holds a law degree from the University of Toledo. Judge McQuade of Swanton,Ohio, was sworn in as a United States district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1986. Judge McQuade was sworn in by his father, Robert B. McQuade, Sr., a retired Fulton County Probate Judge who administered the oath of office at this home in a private ceremony. It was considered a family occasion at the McQuade's home which is in contrast with the majority of the federal judicial appointments. Judge McQuade served eight years on the Common Pleas bench. He succeeded Judge Nicholas J. Walinski, who took senior status on December 1, 1985. On September 14, 1989, Judge McQuade announced his resignation from the Federal bench. Judge McQuade resigned from the bench on October 1, 1989.

 

 


 

 

HON. PAUL R. MATIA - (1991-2005)

The thirty-eighth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President George Bush, republican. He was sworn in on Friday, December 20, 1991 in Cleveland, Ohio. The ceremony took place in Chief Judge Thomas D. Lambros' courtroom. The oath was administered by Judge Alan E. Norris of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, a former colleague of Judge Matia's in the state legislature. Judge Matia served as a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas judge for six years prior to being appointed to the Federal bench. From 1966 to 1969, he was an Assistant State Attorney General. He was State Senator from 1971 to 1975 and 1979 to 1983.  Judge Matia succeeded Judge White as Chief Judge for the Northern District of Ohio on February 26, 1999 until he assumed senior status on December 31, 2004.  He retired from the bench on May 31, 2005.

 

 


 

 

HON. LESLEY BROOKS WELLS - (1994-2015)

The thirty-ninth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President William J. Clinton, democrat. She was sworn in on Friday, April 8, 1994 in Cleveland, Ohio. The ceremony took place in Chief Judge Lambros' courtroom. The oath was administered by the Hon. William K. Thomas, senior U.S. district judge, Northern District of Ohio. She became the first female Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations judge in 1983 when she was appointed to the post. Judge Wells ran for the same seat in 1984 and was elected. She was re-elected in 1986 and was elected to the general division of Common Pleas Court in 1989.  Judge Wells assumed senior status on February 14, 2006. She retired from the bench on October 2, 2015.

 

 


 

 

HON. JAMES G. CARR - (1994 -Present)

The fortieth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President William J. Clinton, democrat. He was sworn in on Monday, May 23, 1994 in Toledo, Ohio. The ceremony took place in the University of Toledo Law Center. The oath was administered by Chief Judge Thomas D. Lambros. Judge Carr served as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Ohio from September, 1979 until his elevation to District Judge.  Judge Carr succeeded Judge Matia as Chief Judge for the Northern District of Ohio on December 31, 2004 until he assumed senior status on June 1, 2010.

 

 


 

 

HON. SOLOMON OLIVER, JR. - (1994-Present)

The forty-first district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President William J. Clinton, democrat. He was sworn in on Friday, June 24, 1994 in Cleveland, Ohio. The ceremony took place in the Moot Courtroom, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University. The oath was administered by Judge Nathaniel R. Jones, Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Judge Oliver was a faculty member at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law since 1982. He was named associate dean of faculty and administration at the college in 1991. Judge Oliver served at a United States Attorney from 1976 to 1982 heading the civil division and later founded the appellate litigation division. He is a graduate of New York University School of Law. He was an assistant professor of political science at the College of Wooster.  Judge Oliver succeeded Judge Carr as Chief Judge for the Northern District of Ohio on June 1, 2010. Judge Oliver assumed senior status on February 16, 2021.

 

 


 

 

HON. DAVID A. KATZ - (1994-2016)

The forty-second district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President William J. Clinton, democrat. He was sworn in on October 21, 1994 in Toledo, Ohio, and formally sworn in on Tuesday, November 28, 1994. Judge Katz was a partner with the law firm of Spengler Nathanson since obtaining his law degree in 1957.  He assumed senior status on January 1, 2005 and served until his death on July 26, 2016.

 

 


 

 

HON. KATHLEEN MCDONALD O'MALLEY - (1994-2010)

The forty-third district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President William J. Clinton, democrat. She was informally sworn in on Friday, October 21, 1994 in Cleveland, Ohio and formally sworn in on Tuesday, November 21, 1994. The ceremony took place in the Upper Rotunda at Case Western Reserve University. The oath was administered by Judge Nathaniel R. Jones, Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Judge O'Malley was first assistant and chief of staff to Ohio Attorney General Lee I. Fisher. Judge O'Malley graduated first in her law school class upon graduation from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1982.  Judge O'Malley served until December 27, 2010 at which time she was elevated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

 

 


 

 

HON. PETER C. ECONOMUS - (1995-2015)

The forty-fourth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President William J. Clinton, democrat. He was informally sworn in on Monday, July 3, 1995 in Cleveland, Ohio and formally sworn in on Saturday, August 12, 1995. The ceremony took place at the new Youngstown Courthouse. The oath was administered by the Hon. John M. Manos, senior U.S. district judge for the Northern District of Ohio. Judge Economus served as Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas Judge since 1982. Judge Economus received his law degree from University of Akron School of Law.  Judge Economus assumed senior status on July 3, 2009 and served in this capacity in the Ohio Southern District Court by designation since September 1, 2010 until September 30, 2015, at which time he assumed inactive senior judge status.

 

 


 

 

HON. DONALD C. NUGENT - (1995-Present)

The forty-fifth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President William J. Clinton, democrat. He was informally sworn in on Wednesday, July 5, 1995 in Cleveland, Ohio and formally sworn in on Wednesday, October 18, 1995. The ceremony took place at the Cuyahoga County Courthouse at 3:00 p.m. in Cleveland. The oath was administered by the Chief Judge George W. White, U.S. district judge for the Northern District of Ohio. Judge Nugent served as 8th District Ohio Court of Appeals Judge and is a former Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge and assistant county prosecutor. Judge Nugent assumed senior status on January 1, 2017.

 

 


 

 

HON. PATRICIA ANN GAUGHAN - (1996-Present)

The forty-sixth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President William J. Clinton, democrat. She was informally sworn in on Wednesday, January 17, 1996 in Cleveland, Ohio, taking office on Thursday, January 18, 1996, and formally sworn in on Friday, February 23, 1996. The ceremony took place in Chief Judge White's courtroom at the U.S. Courthouse at 3:00 p.m. in Cleveland. The oath was administered by the Chief Judge George W. White, U.S. district judge for the Northern District of Ohio. Judge Gaughan served as 8th District Ohio Court of Appeals Judge. Judge Gaughan succeeded Judge Oliver as Chief Judge for the Northern District of Ohio on June 3, 2017. Judge Gaughan assumed senior status on October 1, 2023.

 

 


 

 

HON. JAMES S. GWIN - (1997-Present)

The forty-seventh district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President William J. Clinton, democrat. He was informally sworn in on Monday, November 10, 1997 in Cleveland, Ohio. Judge Gwin assumed senior status on February 1, 2021.

 

 


 

 

HON. DAN AARON POLSTER - (1998-Present)

The forty-eighth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President William J. Clinton, democrat. He was informally sworn in on Monday, August 10, 1998 in Cleveland, Ohio. Judge Polster assumed senior status on February 1, 2021.

 

 


 

 

HON. JOHN R. ADAMS - (2003-Present)

The forty-ninth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President George W. Bush, republican, on January 7, 2003. He was sworn in on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 in Cleveland, Ohio.

 

 


 

 

HON. CHRISTOPHER A. BOYKO - (2005-Present)

The fiftieth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President George W. Bush, republican. Judge Boyko assumed senior status on January 6, 2020.

 

 


 

 

HON. JACK ZOUHARY - (2006-Present)

The fifty-first district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President George W. Bush, republican. Judge Zouhary assumed senior status on July 1, 2019.

 

 


 

 

HON. SARA E. LIOI - (2007-Present)

The fifty-second district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President George W. Bush, republican. Judge Lioi succeeded Judge Gaughan as Chief Judge for the Northern District of Ohio on June 7, 2023.

 

 


 

 

HON. BENITA Y. PEARSON - (2010-Present)

The fifty-third district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President Barack Obama, democrat.

 

 


 

 

HON. JEFFREY J. HELMICK - (2012-Present)

The fifty-fourth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President Barack Obama, democrat.

 

 


 

 

HON. PAMELA A. BARKER - (2019-Present)

The fifty-fifth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President Donald J. Trump, republican.

 

 


 

 

HON. JAMES R. KNEPP, II - (2020-Present)

The fifty-sixth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President Donald J. Trump, republican.

 

 


 

HON. J. PHILIP CALABRESE (2020-Present)

The fifty-seventh district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President Donald J. Trump, republican.

 

 


 

HON. CHARLES ESQUE FLEMING (2022-Present)

The fifty-eighth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., democrat.

 

 


 

HON. DAVID A. RUIZ (2022-Present)

The fifty-ninth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., democrat.

 

 


 

HON. BRIDGET MEEHAN BRENNAN (2022-Present)

The sixtieth district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., democrat.