---
title: "Nancy Margaret Russo | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nancy-margaret-russo"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Nancy Margaret Russo

Cuyahoga Co. Common Pleas Court · Common Pleas Judge

## Profile

- Court: Cuyahoga 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

### Education

- master — Levin College — 2001
- Nancy Margaret Russo attended West Liberty State College, earning her undergraduate degree in 1977, and later obtained her J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1981

### Additional information

- She initiated the Re-Entry Court in 2007
- She is a Fellow of the Ohio State Bar Association (2001) and a graduate of Leadership Cleveland 2000
- Elected to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division in 1997
- Before joining the bench, Russo practiced law privately for 15 years, specializing in healthcare law, white-collar crime, and insurance law.
- focusing on individuals returning from prison, and has been involved in reforms to reduce reliance on cash bail
- Throughout her career, Russo has received numerous honors, including MADD Judge of the Year, POMC Judge of the Year, Who’s Who in Law, Outstanding Alumnus of Ridge Junior High, Mentor High School Hall of Fame, and Outstanding Graduate of Levin College
- She also held the role of a certified juvenile and domestic guardian ad litem
- She presides over adult criminal felony cases, ranging from minor felonies to capital murder, as well as civil litigation
- Her judicial philosophy emphasizes empathy, fairness, and neutrality, ensuring decisions are guided by her oath and emotional intelligence Russo has also contributed to legal education as an adjunct faculty member and guest lecturer at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and Levin College, and has spoken at various bar seminars
- She gained national recognition as an expert and lecturer in insurance fraud prevention, detection, and prosecution