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Longtime assistant prosecutor sworn in as administrative law judge
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: October 10, 2014
Many people dream of climbing the ranks in their field, but not everyone is willing to go the extra mile to make it happen. That wasn’t the case with Akron native and former assistant prosecutor Mary Lohr.
Her journey to secure the position of administrative law judge in the U.S. Social Security Administration began in March 2013 with an extensive online application that took several hours to fill out.
About 18 months later and after jumping through many difficult hoops, Lohr said she is now doing the job she worked so hard to get.
“It has been an incredible process,” said Lohr, who began as ALJ (administrative law judge) on Sept. 22. “There is a very small window of opportunity for anyone to get in. The ALJ Register only opens up every three or four years. You have to be listed on the register to have a chance at the job since the agency hires off that register.”
A graduate of The Ohio State University, Lohr attended The University of Akron School of Law, clerking for Summit County Domestic Relations Court Judge Carol Dezso while getting her juris doctor.
“Mary was such a wonderful law clerk,” said Summit County Domestic Relations Court Judge Dezso. “She was so diligent, very precise, dedicated to her work and beyond that just an outstanding person. She was one of my favorite law clerks.
“She asked me to give her a reference for the [ALJ] position and I was more than happy to do so because I felt very strongly that she would be outstanding. When she got the job I was thrilled. In fact I sent a text right away because it showed up on my Facebook account and I immediately sent out a shout out to her so to speak.”
Judge Dezso said she wasn’t surprised that Lohr became a judge. “She has a very good temperament, is a real solid person and very measured in her approach, all the makings of being a judge.”
After passing the bar, Lohr did a short stint as an associate with Ferguson & Hanlon, where she handled domestic matters. In 2000, she embarked on what would be a long-term career as an assistant prosecutor, first in Summit County and for the past seven years in the city of Akron.
“I liked the fast paced environment of being a prosecutor,” said Lohr. “I felt like I was making a positive impact on the community.
“I wanted a new challenge and I thought becoming a judge would afford me that opportunity. It also allowed me to continue helping the community.”
As she quickly discovered, the process would not be a simple one. In addition to the initial application, she had to take a long online exam with multiple sections and travel to Washington D.C. where she completed yet another test and had several in-depth interviews.
“It was like taking the bar exam again. It has been 14 years since I took the bar exam, so taking an all-day exam was brutal,” she said. “Of course, waiting for my score and ultimately a job offer was a big test of patience.”
It was in the winter of 2014 that Lohr found out she had made the register, but she didn’t get the job until the summer.
“I’m thrilled and gleeful now that it’s all over. I do feel like I will get the chance to make a difference. It will be a transition though.”
The West Akron resident will be located in the Cleveland office, but will first spend time in Washington D.C. to undergo training.
“I don’t have any plans to move,” said the divorced mother of two whose children go to school in Summit County. “I really love Akron.”
“Mary Lohr has worked in the Akron Law Department both as a law clerk and as an assistant prosecutor,” said Director of Law Cheri B. Cunningham. “Mary’s experience and skills will be missed at the prosecutor’s office.”
“Mary and I used to be co-workers in the Akron prosecutor’s office and then I was promoted so I managed her, not that she required much management,” said Gertrude Wilms, chief city prosecutor for Akron.
“She is very thoughtful in her work. She looks at things from all angles and is willing to consider all angles. The pursuit of justice is very important to her.
“Mary is used to handling a very busy caseload so I’m sure she won’t have any trouble managing whatever the social security administration throws at her,” said Wilms.
“I first met Mary when I was assistant chief prosecutor in Akron,” said Thomas DiCaudo, a partner at DiCaudo, Pitchford & Yoder.
“I have been her supervisor and defense counsel in cases she prosecuted. She is always prepared, good with the public, pleasant and professional.
“She has a unique ability to look at an issue from both sides, which I think will make her an excellent judge. They are very lucky to have her.”