Office: Cuyahoga County -Eighth District Court of Appeals
Age: 50
Residence: Rocky River, OH
Email: mjsheehan18@gmail.com
Website: www.sheehanforjudge.com; Facebook
@msheehan4courtofappeals; Instagram and Twitter:
@msheehan4judge
Occupation: Partner at Reminger Co., LPA
Education: J.D., Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1993), Articles
Editor, Cleveland State Law Review; B.A., Miami University (Oxford)
(1990)
Work Experience: Attorney at Reminger Co., LPA; Extern with Judge
Donald C. Nugent, Eighth District Court of Appeals; Law Clerk, Of×ce
of the Attorney General, Lee Fisher
Family: Married to Brendan Sheehan for 23 years with 3 children (ages
20, 18 and 15)
Affiliations: Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Chair of the Government Liability Section, Women in Law Member and Former
Executive Council Member; Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Alumni Association Board of Trustees, Honorary Member and Former
Committee Chairperson; Northern District of Ohio Federal Court Advisory Group; Judicial Conference of the Eighth Judicial District, Life
Member; Ohio Women’s Bar Association, Past President; Former Rocky River Civil Service Commission Member; St. Christopher Church
Lector
Endorsements: Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, Cuydems.com;
Ohio AFL-CIO Federation of Labor; North Shore AFL-CIO Federation of
Labor; Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council as well as
various labor unions and elected officials
Bar Association Ratings:
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association: Excellent
Cuyahoga Criminal Defense Lawyers Association: Excellent
Norman S. Minor Bar Association: Good
Ohio Women’s Bar Association: Excellent
Overall Score: 3.75/4.0
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years):
This is my first judicial candidacy.
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a
judge?
My extensive experience as both a trial lawyer and appellate advocate,
coupled with my leadership skills and temperament provide the perfect
skills set for an appellate judge. I have litigated cases in both state and
federal court on behalf of a diverse group of clients for over 25 years. I
have been rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell. This rating is
the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards as
reflected by the confidential opinions of members of the bar and
judiciary. I have also been repeatedly recognized as one of the Top 25
Female Attorneys in Cleveland by Ohio Super Lawyer Magazine. I have
represented clients in appellate matters before the Ohio Supreme
Court, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and almost every appellate
district in the state of Ohio. I am one of only 28 attorneys throughout
the state who is certified as an appellate specialist by the Ohio State
Bar Association.
I take pride in my ability to synthesize large amounts of information,
objectively evaluate all aspects of a complex legal issue, and analyze the
applicable law. In addition to my legal experience, I also serve as a
mediator and assist parties to6 resolve disputes. Through this
experience, I evaluate legal issues from the perspective of both sides of
the dispute and have worked with the parties to achieve a common
resolution. I will bring this unique experience and perspective to the
bench. I have served in various leadership roles within my firm and the
community. I have been a partner at Reminger Co., LPA for over 20
years and have been an active leader in the ×rm. I was a founding
member of my firm’s Women’s Leadership Council; was one of the first
females at my firm to rise from the ranks of being a law clerk to being
hired as an associate and ultimately promoted to partner.
Along the way, I have served as a friend and mentor to many.
Throughout my career, I have served others in the community including
serving as President of the Ohio Women’s Bar Association, various
leadership roles in local organizations including the CMBA, YWCA, and
civil service commission member amongst others. I have been featured
as “Who To Watch in Law” in Crain’s Cleveland Magazine for my pro
bono work with El Barrio Workforce at The Centers.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am the endorsed Democrat candidate for the open term that will be
created by the retirement of the Eighth District Court of Appeals Judge
Tim McCormack. I am a candidate for the Eighth District Court of
Appeals because I want to utilize my skill sets to give back to the
community and improve the justice system. Inevitably, cases are often
determined at the appellate level. The court of appeals is in effect the
court of last resort for many litigants as the Ohio Supreme Court only
accepts a small percentage of cases to review. Therefore, the court of
appeals is the last opportunity for a litigant to have three judges review
a case and objectively apply the law to the facts of the case. I believe I
can make a difference in people’s lives by this public service whereas as
an attorney I’m only able to impact the lives of my clients. My decisions
as a jurist will help provide fair and equal justice for ALL.
After years of litigating, I’m perfectly suited to make a difference that
far surpasses my contributions to the community as a practicing lawyer.
As a Judge, I will work toward providing access to the courts for all
litigants in an efficient and organized manner. I will use the skills that I
have acquired through years of practice and provide a perspective of a
seasoned lawyer who has appeared before many different appellate
courts. As a jurist, I can endeavor to implement meaningful best
practices to our justice system that will allow litigants the chance to
have their issues heard and decided fairly and in compliance with the
law. I respectfully request your support. More information about my
experiences and credentials are located at
www.reminger.com/attorneys-Michelle-Sheehan.html as well as
www.attorneyatlawmagazine/cleveland/ “Michelle Sheehan, Attorney
of the Month: Tailor-Made For the Bench.”