Court News

Congratulations to Leo Blatt, the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, General Division, recipient of the 77th Annual Franklin A. Polk Public Servants Merit Award. For the past 14 years, Leo has been bailiff to Judge Brendan J. Sheehan, but his career with the Court goes back to 1983 when he was hired as a scheduler by Judge Patricia Gaughan.

“As the bailiff to the Administrative and Presiding Judge, Leo truly does not work for me, but for the Court,” Judge Sheehan said in his nominating letter.  “He spends each day working on issues for attorneys, litigants, and staff that could not be resolved without his attention and interference.”

“During his 40-year tenure, Leo has counseled bailiffs, courtroom assistants, and judicial secretaries. Usually his advice comes with a kind word, but you can always count on a joke or quick retort that reminds you to take a breath and smile,” added Judge Sheehan. “His knowledge of the justice system doesn't just assist those in the Court, but all of our system partners, many who will participate in the Public Servants Merit Award ceremonies.”

Leo was introduced at the ceremony by Judge Sheehan, who also invited Judge Gaughan to say a few words.

Each year the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation invites city, county, state and federal offices to nominate non-elected employees for their outstanding service to the legal profession, the general public, and our justice system. These merit awards are given for long and faithful service (a minimum of 20 years of service to the organization), demonstrated devotion to duty, wise counsel to the public and attorneys, unfailing patience, and assistance to the public and members of the Bench and Bar of this county.