---
title: "Michael R. Goulding | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-r-goulding"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-08"
---

# Michael R. Goulding

Lucas Co. Common Pleas Court · Common Pleas Judge

## Profile

- Court: Lucas Co. Common Pleas Court
- State: Ohio
- Role: Common Pleas Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-27

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote hearing exhibits

Scope: statewide

Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance tells courts to include instructions for submitting exhibits or notifying the court of witnesses when remote-hearing information is sent to participants.

Evidence excerpt: Instructions for submitting exhibits or notifying the court of witnesses.

[Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote hearing ground rules

Scope: statewide

Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance recommends advance ground rules for documents, exhibits, screen sharing, and pre-marking exhibits for remote hearings.

Evidence excerpt: Documents: Share any documents/exhibits that will be reviewed in advance. Use the share screen function while documents are being discussed during the hearing. Request that the documents are pre-marked for exhibit purposes.

[Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote recording

Scope: statewide

Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance states that litigants, attorneys, and the public should be instructed not to record the hearing.

Evidence excerpt: The court should instruct the litigants, attorneys, and the public to not record the hearing.

[Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.ohiojudges.org/directory/ojc-directory/)
- [Official roster](https://www.ohiojudges.org/directory/ojc-directory/)
- [Ohio Judicial Conference Directory official judicial roster](https://www.ohiojudges.org/directory/ojc-directory/)
- [Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- In 2023, he was elected Administrative Judge of the court for a two-year term and re-elected for a second consecutive term
- Before joining the Court of Common Pleas, Goulding held the role of a municipal court judge for the Toledo Municipal Court from 2007 to 2013, where he held the positions of Presiding and Administrative Judge
- Prior to his judicial career, he was a partner at Shindler Neff, LLP, practicing in commercial litigation, employment, real estate, and probate law

### Education

- J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1995 and his B.A. in English from Ohio State University

### Additional information

- Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, General Division since August 26, 2013, after being appointed by Governor John Kasich to fill a vacancy
- In 2019, he was designated as a Commercial Docket Judge, one of only eight in Ohio
- Subsequently elected to complete the unexpired term in 2014 and won a full term in 2016
- He has held the role of President of the Northwest Ohio Municipal and County Judges’ Association and has been an instructor with the Ohio Judicial College
- handling complex business litigation
- overseeing court administration and jury trial restoration following COVID-19 shutdowns
- He is admitted to practice in Ohio, Florida, and the U.S. District Court
- He has also participated in committees reviewing judicial ethics, rules, and legislation affecting Ohio courts
- Judge Goulding has been active in judicial and legal organizations, including the Ohio State Bar Association, Toledo Bar Association, Lucas County Bar Association, and the Toledo Women’s Bar Association