Judge Lisa Forbes – Unexpired Term Ending: 12.31.2026

Official Website: Forbes For Justice

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The Supreme Court of Ohio is the last stop for justice here in Ohio.  I’m proud to serve on the Eighth District Court of Appeals, which is the last stop for justice in Cuyahoga County.  Prior to my election, I spent my career arguing complex and nuanced cases in state and federal courts all across the state of Ohio.  My experience on the bench and practicing law has taught me the critical importance of having judges who have a variety of experiences to bring a broad perspective to the Court   I have the experience and expertise, and will bring the heart and hard work necessary to ensure that the last stop for justice is fair and efficient.

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Judge Lisa Forbes, 8th District Court of Appeals

Meet Judge Lisa Forbes

Elected to the bench in 2020, Judge Lisa Forbes has extensive experience in the courts of appeals and trial courts across Ohio, at both the state and federal levels. Her expert approach to handling intricate cases has earned her the highest peer rating by lawyers. As a business litigator and a partner at the Cleveland office of a national law firm, she helped her clients resolve disputes ranging from complex business litigation, to consumer class actions, to legal malpractice, to trust and estate disputes and so much more.

Education:

Judge Forbes graduated summa cum laude from Case Western Reserve School of Law where she was the executive notes editor for the Case Western Reserve Law Review. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University.

Community:

Judge Forbes’ service on various boards helps provide access to opportunity for some of Cuyahoga County’s most vulnerable residents:

  • Center for Families and Children
    • Board of Directors
  • Circle Health
    • Board of Directors
  • El Barrio
    • Board of Directors

Professional Associations: (past and present)

  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
    • Certified Grievance Committee
  • Ohio State Bar Association
    • Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section Council
  • Cornell Alumni Admission
    • Admissions Ambassador Network
  • Ohio Women’s Bar Association
    • Eighth District Trustee
    • Recipient of the OWBA’s President’s Choice Award – 2002
  • Federal Bar Association
    • Board of Directors

Family:

Judge Forbes and her husband have been happily married for 28 years and are raising three children – Emily, Nick and Charlie – in the Shaker Heights City School District where they live along with their dog, Wupsi, an APL rescue. As the first generation to go to college in her family, Judge Forbes is grateful for the hard work and love of her parents.