---
title: "Sheila J. Farmer | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sheila-j-farmer-8086"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Sheila J. Farmer

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, 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”

## 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/8086/sheila-j-farmer/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8086/sheila-j-farmer/)
- [Ohio Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8086/sheila-j-farmer/)
- [Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8086/sheila-j-farmer/)

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