A prominent labor and worker’s compensation attorney from Columbus, Sarah Morrison is favored to short-handed bench where she would become the only active female judge.

Background

Morrison was born Sarah Elizabeth Daggett in Lufkin, TX on November 12, 1970.[1]  Morrison received her B.A. from Ohio State University in 1992 and her J.D. magna cum laude from Capital University Law School in 1997.[2]  Following her graduation, Morrison clerked for Judge John Holschuh on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.[3]

After her clerkship, Morrison joined the Columbus office of Chester, Willcox & Saxbe as an associate.  Morrison became a partner at the firm in 2005.[4]

In 2012, Morrison became General Counsel and Chief Ethics Officer at the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation.[5]  She became the Administration and Chief Executive Officer in 2016 and continues to serve in that capacity today.

History of the Seat

Morrison has been nominated for a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.  This seat was vacated on May 2, 2016, when Judge Gregory Frost moved to senior status.  Even though this seat opened with more than eight months left in the Obama Presidency, no nomination was put forward for the seat.

In April 2017, Morrison applied for the vacancy with a selection commission put together by Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, and Rob Portman, a Republican.[6]  Morrison interviewed with the Commission in late August, and was recommended to the senators.[7]  Morrison interviewed with Portman in September and the two senators jointly recommended Morrison shortly after.[8]

In October 2017, Morrison interviewed with the White House.[9]  She was officially nominated on April 12, 2018.

Legal Experience

Morrison began her legal career at Chester, Willcox & Saxbe in Columbus.  While there, Morrison focused on civil and commercial litigation.  During her time there, Morrison notably represented the National Football League (NFL) in defending against a suit filed by the widow of Korey Stringer, an offensive lineman with the Minnesota Vikings who died of heatstroke during a practice.[10]   She also represented Honda against an employment discrimination case brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.[11]  After becoming a partner at the firm, Morrison represented Ohio State University and the University of Toledo in defending against multiple employment discrimination claims.[12]

In 2012, Morrison moved to the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation, where she served as General Counsel.  In this role, she headed the Bureau’s legal department and managed both litigation and in-house work.  She has worked in a non-legal capacity as head of the Bureau in 2016.

Political Activity

Morrison has been fairly active in the Ohio Republican Party, having volunteered with the Ohio Republican Women Campaign Fund and Capital Area Republican Women.[13]  Morrison has also served on the Franklin County Republican Party Executive Committee since 2007 and volunteered for a PAC supporting Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s Presidential bid in 2016.[14]

Overall Assessment

Despite her Republican background, Morrison has obtained the support of Sen. Sherrod Brown.  At the same time, despite her work for Trump bete noire Kasich, Morrison has received a judicial nomination from the Administration.  These two facts together speak to Morrison’s general acceptability as a nominee.  Overall, given her strong support from Brown and Portman, Morrison is expected to be comfortably confirmed and add a moderate-conservative voice to the Southern District of Ohio.

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