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Lioi, Sara Elizabeth
Born 1960 in Canton, OH
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
Nominated by George W. Bush on January 9, 2007, to a seat vacated by Lesley Brooks Wells. Confirmed by the Senate on March 8, 2007, and received commission on March 14, 2007. Served as chief judge, 2023-present.
Other Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, 2023-present
Judge, Alien Terrorist Removal Court, 2025-present
Education:
Bowling Green State University, B.A., 1983
Ohio State University College of Law (now Michael E. Moritz College of Law), J.D., 1987
Professional Career:
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
Nominated by George W. Bush on January 9, 2007, to a seat vacated by Lesley Brooks Wells. Confirmed by the Senate on March 8, 2007, and received commission on March 14, 2007. Served as chief judge, 2023-present.
Other Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, 2023-present
Judge, Alien Terrorist Removal Court, 2025-present
Education:
Bowling Green State University, B.A., 1983
Ohio State University College of Law (now Michael E. Moritz College of Law), J.D., 1987
Professional Career:
Private practice, Canton, Ohio, 1987-1997
Judge, Stark County [Ohio] Court of Common Pleas, 1997-2007
Member, Judicial Conference of the United States, 2021-2023
Nominated to U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, July 13, 2006; no Senate vote