Login | July 21, 2025
U.S. District judge looks back on tenure as chief judge
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: August 18, 2023
From the pandemic to a massive reorganization of administrative and general orders, those are just some of the challenges U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Gaughan took on during her six years as chief judge of the Northern District of Ohio.
The first female to become chief judge in the district, Judge Gaughan completed her term on June 6, 2023.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time as chief judge and am truly honored to have served the court in that role,” said Judge Gaughan, who is located in Cleveland.
U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi has succeeded her as chief judge.
“I have absolutely no doubt that Judge Lioi will do an excellent job,” said Judge Gaughan who swore in Judge Lioi. “She’s very conscientious and cares deeply for the court and its employees. Judge Lioi brings with her not only a wealth of experience but also exceptional character.”
In reflecting on Judge Gaughan’s tenure, Judge Lioi said Judge Gaughan was a “fantastic” chief judge.
“She conducted herself with dignity and grace as she performed the many duties that were required of her to make sure that the court operated smoothly in service to the citizens of the Northern District of Ohio and all who had business before the court,” said Judge Lioi.
“Other than during the pandemic she was a frequent visitor to all of the court locations in the Northern District of Ohio making sure that the needs of the employees were being met and that the judicial officers and employees could discuss court matters with her in person.
“Judge Gaughan was an excellent spokesperson for the court and she was always prepared, thoughtful and professional,” said Judge Lioi.
U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent described Judge Gaughan as an “inspirational” leader.
“As our chief judge, she was instrumental in continuing the camaraderie at the court, which is essential to a functioning court,” said Judge Nugent. “She led us through the challenges of COVID so we did not miss a beat. She was a great leader.”
While Judge Gaughan made history as the first female chief judge when she began the role on June 1, 2017, it is not the only time in her career that she broke the glass ceiling.
A native of Fairview Park, Ohio, Judge Gaughan graduated from Saint Mary’s College in Indiana where she double majored in political science and business and economics.
“When I graduated college I was considering getting an MBA but my sister, who was a college law professor, told me that a law degree would open more doors,” said Judge Gaughan. “When I started law school I still believed I would have a career in business but after I took evidence and trial advocacy I knew I wanted to be in the courtroom.”
After earning her juris doctorate from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1978, she began her career as an assistant Cuyahoga County prosecutor, becoming the first woman appointed to the major trial division where she prosecuted rape, murder and political corruption cases.
During her time in the prosecutor’s office, she also ran a civil law practice and taught trial advocacy as an adjunct law professor at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
She then served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio where she was assigned to the Economic Crimes Division.
In 1986, she was elected as a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court judge.
“When I started practicing I did not foresee becoming a judge,” said Judge Gaughan. “I only began thinking about it after gaining significant courtroom experience.”
She remained on the common pleas court bench until 1995 when she was appointed by then-President Bill Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division.
Looking back, she said one of the major highlights of her career was serving as chief judge.
“When I was sworn in as chief judge one of my goals was to emphasize that although our judges sit in four different locations we are one court family,” said Judge Gaughan. “I told our employees that I wanted everyone to feel valued, respected and relevant. I also had the goal of putting fresh eyes on the magistrate judge selection process and disciplinary policies. I believe I accomplished all of those goals.”
There were of course some things neither she, nor anyone else, could anticipate like the global pandemic.
“The pandemic was quite challenging but I was blessed to work with wonderful and cooperative colleagues like Sandy Opacich, who was a phenomenal partner,” said Judge Gaughan.
“I am proud to say that we were able to continue all significant court proceedings either by Zoom or in-person with enhanced safety protocols,” said Judge Gaughan. “Through these measures we successfully balanced the interests of justice with the safety of our employees and the public.”
Clerk of Court Sandy Opacich said Judge Gaughan was “an excellent leader and communicator” during the pandemic helping the court to overcome an unprecedented period of challenges while making and overseeing some significant changes to the court’s operations.
As Opacich explained, “We had administrative and general orders records dating back to the 1970s.
“She partnered with the clerk’s office to review well over 3,000 orders, establishing a historical database and making active orders more easily searchable for any judicial officer or clerk’s office employee. We are now continuing to review the database to make sure it stays up to date.
“Judge Gaughan is a great listener who helped us all look at problems from many angles and achieve consensus,” said Opacich. “She served as chief judge during a difficult time and kept the court focused, united and moving forward.”
Judge Gaughan’s time as chief judge was also marked by a courthouse flood, two government shutdowns and the swearing-in of 11 new judicial officers.
“The federal bench experienced quite a change during my tenure,” said Judge Gaughan. “I am honored that I was able to ease the transition and welcome so many new colleagues.”
A member of the Federal Bar Association and Federal Judges Association, Judge Gaughan serves on the Judicial Conduct and Disability Committee of the Judicial Conference and on the board of the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking.
Over the years, she has been on the boards of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, St. John Medical Center and Magnificat High School and participated extensively in the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s 3Rs program. Judge Gaughan has also held numerous committee positions including serving on the Judicial Conference Committee on Federal-State Jurisdiction.
Her efforts have earned her numerous accolades including the St. Thomas More Award from the Lawyers Guild and a Jurisprudence Award from ORT America. She’s also received the Edward F. Barrett Award for outstanding achievement in the art of trial advocacy from Notre Dame Law School and a Walks of Life award from the Irish American Archives Society.
Judge Gaughan, who turns 70 on Oct. 21, said she has no plans to retire from the bench.
“I truly love what I do,” said Judge Gaughan. “It is an honor and a pleasure for me to serve the public in my role as judge, and I plan to continue doing so.”