Sheila J. Farmer at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Court
- Ohio Court of Appeals
- Current assignment
- Ohio Court of Appeals
- Jurisdiction
- Ohio · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Sheila J. Farmer
Judge · Ohio Court of Appeals
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Ohio Court of Appeals, 1992-present
- Retired justice of the Ohio Fifth District Court of Appeals, serving from 1992 until her mandatory retirement in 2017
- Earlier Career: Before joining the appellate court, Farmer held the role of: Assistant prosecutor for Stark County and the cities of Cleveland and Canton Presiding judge of Massillon Municipal Court (1978–1983) Judge in Stark County Common Pleas Court (1984–1993)
Education
Additional information
- Ineligible for re‐election in 2016 due to Ohio’s mandatory retirement age and retired on February 8, 2017
- Farmer’s legal career began in public prosecution and municipal court, where she was known for her community engagement and practical approach to justice.
- She has emphasized respect for all litigants, noting that “they all have their problems... and you have to get through it with them”
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
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.
Instructions for submitting exhibits or notifying the court of witnesses.Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings ↗
Statewide
Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance recommends advance ground rules for documents, exhibits, screen sharing, and pre-marking exhibits for remote hearings.
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 ↗
Statewide
Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance states that litigants, attorneys, and the public should be instructed not to record the hearing.
The court should instruct the litigants, attorneys, and the public to not record the hearing.Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings ↗
Sources
Identity source checked June 30, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
Ohio Court of Appeals current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View Ohio Court of Appeals current judicial profile ↗Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings ↗