Page 56 - 2019-2020 CMBA Legal Directory
P. 56
Eighth District
COURT OF APPEALS, STATE OF OHIO
Eighth District
Court of Appeals
Cuyahoga County Courthouse Court Administration ........................................................................................................................(216) 443-6350
One West Lakeside Ave, Suite 202 Main Court Fax ....................................................................................................................................(216) 443-2044
Cleveland, OH 44113 Main Court Email ......................................................................................................................anr@8thappeals.com
Phone: (216) 443-6350 Case Status Information .................................................................................................................(216) 443-7937
Fax: (216) 443-2044
http://appeals.cuyahogacounty.us Docket and Pending Files ................................................................................................................(216) 443-7937
Scheduling and Calendaring...........................................................................................................(216) 443-6391
Clerk of the Court of Appeals Prehearing Conference ....................................................................................................................(216) 348-4809
(Responsible for Filings and the Docket)
Cuyahoga County Court House COURT ADMINISTRATOR AND MAGISTRATE
One West Lakeside Ave.,145 Erin M. O’Toole ............................................................................................................................................................(216) 443-6396
Cleveland, Ohio 44113-1085
Phone: (216) 443-7937 DEPUTY COURT ADMINISTRATOR/STAFF
Bridget O’Brien ............................................................................................................................................................(216) 443-6398
Judge Mary Eileen Kilbane
ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE 2019
ASSIGNMENT COMMISSIONER
Damon Wright .............................................................................................................................................................(216) 443-6391
With jurisdiction over Cuyahoga County, the Eighth Appellate District Court is the largest and busiest
appellate court in Ohio. Randomly assigned, its twelve judges sit on three-judge panels. Weekly, nine
or more cases are allocated to each panel for review. Each judge reads the briefs filed by the parties,
reviews the lower court record, and with the aid of legal staff, conducts research on the issues presented.
Oral arguments are scheduled on Tuesdays and Wednesdays most weeks throughout the year, with each
side given fifteen minutes to present its case. Twenty-seven or more cases are scheduled for hearing in
three courtrooms, all of which are open to the public. Following oral arguments, the judges conference
the cases. One of the judges is randomly selected to write an opinion which states the ruling of the
panel and contains an analysis of the legal issues and the reasons underlying the decision. If one of the
judges on the panel does not agree with the decision, he or she may write a dissenting opinion, which is
released with that of the majority. Opinions are released weekly, generally on Thursdays.
A party dissatisfied with a decision may appeal it to the Ohio Supreme Court. However, unlike an
appeals court that accepts every case, the Ohio Supreme Court generally has the discretion to accept
or decline an appeal. On average, the Supreme Court accepts only about ten percent of those cases.
As a result, the Eighth District Appellate Court is the court of last resort for the majority of civil and
criminal litigants in Cuyahoga County.
The Main Courtroom of the Eighth Appellate District, located on the second floor off the Great Hall of
the Cuyahoga County Court House, is one of the most impressive in Ohio. Completed in 1912, it has
remained virtually unchanged and retains a timeless elegance. Visitors are welcome between 8:30 a.m.
and 4:30 p.m. except when the Court is in session. Occasionally, tours will meet the judges who are
always delighted to answer questions about the court and its history.
55
