--- title: "Mike Fain | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mike-fain-8085" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Mike Fain Ohio Court of Appeals · Judge ## Profile - Court: Ohio Court of Appeals - State: Ohio - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Ohio Court of Appeals, 1987-present - Mike Fain (July 15, 1946 – March 27, 2023) was a distinguished retired judge of the Second District Court of Appeals in Ohio, known for his legal scholarship, judicial service, and mentorship - Attorney with Estabrook, Finn, & McKee (1973–1977) and later as a partner at Bogan & Patterson (1977–1987) - attorney in the general practice of law in Dayton, Ohio (1973 until his election–the Ohio Second District Court of Appeals in 1986) - He also previously worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Dayton Law School ### Education - University of Pennsylvania Law School in — J.D. (1972) ### Additional information - Judge Fain died on March 27, 2023, at age 76, after a lengthy illness. - In 1987, he joined the Second District Court of Appeals, serving six consecutive terms (1987–2017) - Chief Justice of the Ohio Courts of Appeals Judges Association (2005) - Elected to the court in 1986 and assumed office in early 1987. - Fain moved to Dayton, Ohio, in 1973, where his father was the Dayton Daily News editor. - Date of birth: 1946-01-01 - Awards and associations - Buried at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. - Military service Fain served in the U.S. Navy Reserve - Born in Miami, Florida, to James Edward and Laura (Bennett) Fain, Mike Fain grew up in several states while serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve. - He also mentored young lawyers and judges, and served on high school mock trial and “We the People” constitutional competitions - His career left a lasting mark on the Ohio judicial system, and he is honored by colleagues, students, and family alike ## 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.courtlistener.com/person/8085/mike-fain/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8085/mike-fain/) - [Ohio Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8085/mike-fain/) - [Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8085/mike-fain/) - [Mike Fain - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Fain) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mike-fain-8085", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mike-fain-8085", "name": "Mike Fain | KnowJudges", "description": "Mike Fain, Ohio Court of Appeals. 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