Robert resides in Lake County with his wife, Lisa, and their three daughters. He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology and his master's degree in philosophy from Cleveland State University. He also earned his law degree from Cleveland State University’s College of Law. 

Robert previously worked as an assistant United States attorney for the Northern District of Ohio and as an assistant prosecutor for the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. He also served as a judicial law clerk for Judge Paul H. Mitrovich of the Lake County Common Pleas Court.

Robert J. Patton currently serves as a judge in the Court of Appeals for District 11. He was appointed in 2023 and is serving his first term. He previously served 5 terms on the Willowick City Council from 2005 to 2013 and was president of the Council for over 10 years.

Candidate website

Promises to uphold "the equitable administration of justice through public service..."

- Promises to uphold "the equitable administration of justice through public service..."

Judicial Administration

As of August 22, 2024, Robert J. Patton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

Court of Appeals of Ohio, Judge Robert J. Patton

As an appellate judge, reviewed trial court decisions, administrative agency decisions, and attorney discipline cases.

As an Assistant Prosecutor for the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, focused on white-collar crimes, racketeering influenced corrupt organization (RICO), money laundering, sex crimes, vehicular homicides, and attempted murders.

As an assistant prosecutor for the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, focused on white-collar crimes, racketeering influenced corrupt organization (RICO), money laundering, sex crimes, vehicular homicides, and attempted murders.

As a judicial law clerk, managed the court’s civil docket.

As an assistant United States attorney for the Northern District of Ohio for 17 years, served as Chief of the Violent Crimes Unit where he was responsible for supervising the prosecution of federal violent crimes and firearms cases.  He was named Senior Litigation Counsel and focused on the prosecution of federal criminal tax matters investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division

- As an appellate judge, reviewed trial court decisions, administrative agency decisions, and attorney discipline cases.
- As an assistant prosecutor for the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, focused on white-collar crimes, racketeering influenced corrupt organization (RICO), money laundering, sex crimes, vehicular homicides, and attempted murders.
- As a judicial law clerk, managed the court’s civil docket.
- As an assistant United States attorney for the Northern District of Ohio for 17 years, served as Chief of the Violent Crimes Unit where he was responsible for supervising the prosecution of federal violent crimes and firearms cases.  He was named Senior Litigation Counsel and focused on the prosecution of federal criminal tax matters investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division

Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Serves as a Board Member for the Lake County Blue Coats, a charitable organization that recognizes extraordinary acts of Law Enforcement Officers.

Serves as a Board Member for the Lake Coun`ty Blue Coats.

- Serves as a Board Member for the Lake Coun`ty Blue Coats.

Community Involvement

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Robert J. Patton

Robert J. Patton currently serves as a judge in the Court of Appeals for District 11. He was appointed in 2023 and is serving his first term. He previously served five terms on the Willowick City Council from 2005 to 2013 and was president of the Council for over 10 years.

Supports the appointment of judges to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Believes in strong judicial oversight and effective case management, as demonstrated by his role in supervising federal violent crimes and firearms prosecutions.

Believes in strong judicial administration, evidenced by successful prosecutions in federal public corruption, gang-related crimes, and police misconduct, with all cases affirmed on appeal.

Believes in collaborating with various federal agencies, including the FBI, IRS, and Secret Service, to ensure thorough investigations and uphold judicial integrity.

Admitted to practice law in Ohio since 1996 and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit since 2006.

Has been admitted to practice law in Ohio and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio since 1996.

Admitted to practice law in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

The candidate's website says, "Began to Practice Law."

As Senior Litigation Counsel, focused on prosecuting federal criminal tax matters investigated by the Internal Revenue Service.

As a federal judge, tried cases involving bribery, bank fraud, mortgage fraud, securities fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, car-jacking, and Hobbs Act violations.

As a Special Attorney in the Eastern District of Michigan, investigated public corruption, bank fraud, and threats against Assistant United States Attorneys.

Robert J. Patton resides in Lake County with his wife, Lisa, and their three daughters. He graduated from Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland and attended Cleveland State University for his undergraduate and graduate studies.

Robert J. Patton is currently serving on the Eleventh District Court of Appeals. He previously worked as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio and as an Assistant Prosecutor for the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. He also served as a Judicial Law Clerk to Judge Paul H. Mitrovich of the Lake County Common Pleas Court.

Robert J. Patton was elected to five consecutive full terms to the City of Willowick’s City Council and served as President of Council for over 10 years. He was appointed to serve on the Eleventh District Court of Appeals on May 19, 2023.

- Each Ohio district has 4 to 12 Court of Appeals judges, depending on case volume.
- Any three judges from a district form a court to review appeals from lower courts, checking for legal errors. The 10th district (Franklin County) also reviews cases from the Ohio Court of Claims, which handles civil suits against the state.
- This court is the only appellate court before the Ohio Supreme Court and can issue orders like writs of habeas corpus, which forces a jail to justify holding someone, or writs of mandamus, which directs a government official to perform a mandatory duty.
- Judges serve a 6-year term, are elected in partisan elections, and earn a salary of $178,100.
- To qualify, judges must have been practicing law in Ohio for at least one year and have six years of experience as a lawyer or judge in any U.S. court. 