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WARREN -- A crowd gathered Thursday to celebrate the swearing in of Judge Robert J. Patton to the 11th District Court of Appeals.
Patton was appointed last month by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine to his new role on the appellate court.
Family, friends and elected officials lined the room to mark the latest career milestone for Patton, with appellate Judge John Eklund speaking about Patton's career.
"It's a big day for him. It's a culmination of a career of public service in one form or fashion, and anyone who's able and willing to undertake that is certainly entitled to all of your kindness and your willingness to be here," Eklund said to the guests.
Patton, of Willowick, will start his term June 5, filling the judicial vacancy created by Judge Cynthia Rice, who was elected to the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas.
With Patton's appointment the court of appeals will now seat five judges as Patton joins Judges Eklund, Mary Jane Trapp; Matt Lynch and Eugene A. Lucci. The court's jurisdiction is Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Portage and Trumbull counties.
In November 2024, Patton will have run for election to retain the seat for the remainder of the term, which will expire in Feburary 2027.
Patton will be transitioning from his current role of senior litigation counsel for the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. Previously, Patton served as an assistant prosecutor for the Lake County Prosecutor's Office and in addition has served on the Willowick City Council since 2005, and was city council president for the past 10 years.
Patton received a bachelor of arts from Cleveland State University in 1990, a master of arts from Cleveland State University in 1993, and a juris doctorate from the Cleveland State University College of Law in 1996.
Patton made sure to thank everyone in the room, even the unfamiliar faces.
"I'm honored to be a part of this group in the 11th district," Patton said. He also called the ceremony a "defining moment."
He discussed his Irish and Slovakian ancestry, sharing stories of his grandparents.
His Irish grandfather was born in a stone hut in Ireland who came to America in 1924. His grandfather worked as a laborer, a ditch digger while his grandmother was a maid.
His Slovakian grandfather was a machinist who grew up in Pennsylvania with an illiterate father.
"Only in this country could a story like mine happen. This is a great country," Patton said.
"We celebrate today, we celebrate the rule of law. That's what all of these folks stand for the rule of law. The rule of law in this country is the framework for liberty that allows individuals to succeed -- it's what creates a framework for stories like mine, and many others who have succeeded in our society."