At Hanni for Judge, we are dedicated to promoting justice and integrity within our legal system. Our mission is to ensure that every voice is heard and represented fairly in the courtroom.Seventh District Court of Appeals
Judge Mark A. Hanni: Delivering a Historic Transformation in Court Efficiency and Public Service
Since joining the Ohio Seventh District Court of Appeals in 2023, Judge Mark A. Hanni has played a central role in one of the most dramatic operational turnarounds of any appellate court in the state. Under his leadership, the Seventh District has moved from years of chronic delays and limited public access to becoming one of the fastest, most efficient appellate courts in Ohio, now ranking #1 statewide in on-time performance.
A Court Transformed: From Irregular Sitting to Full Monthly Calendars
When Judge Hanni took office in 2023, the court’s oral argument calendar reflected deep structural strain. The court routinely had writing months where no arguments were held—one dark month approximately every three months, and often more.
Today, the picture is entirely different.
In 2025, for the first time in years, the Seventh District sat for oral argument every single month
sometimes more than once when caseload demands required it.This consistent public calendar is now a hallmark of the court’s stability, transparency, and readiness.
Restoring Accountability: A Return to In-Person Service
When Judge Hanni arrived, the judges’ staff was operating remotely. This had been permitted under the prior administration, and it contributed to communication delays, opinion backlogs, inconsistent internal workflow, and reduced public accessibility.
Judge Hanni has taken firm, principled steps to restore the traditional functioning of a public court.
His chambers staff now works in person, every day, in the courthouse.
He and Judge Dickey are currently the only judges with open, operational chambers five days a week.
While others maintain work-from-home schedules, Judge Hanni has insisted the appellate court’s work return fully to its beautiful, taxpayer-funded new courthouse, a facility built to serve the public - not to sit empty.
Performance Metrics: The Most Improved Court in Ohio
The results of this leadership are unmistakable.
Backlog Eliminated - Pending Cases Reduced from 252 to 142
Over-Age Cases: Down ~90%
from roughly 80–100 late cases per quarter to single digits.On-Time Decision Rate: Up from 62% to 94%
A decade ago, the Seventh District ranked last or next-to-last in Ohio for timeliness.
In 2025, the court now ranks #1 in the State of Ohio for average quarterly on-time case completion.
Clearance Rates Consistently Above 100%
In both 2023 and 2024, the court closed significantly more cases than it received - erasing years of old backlog.
Leadership and Expertise for the Future
Judge Hanni is also the only member of the current bench with criminal defense experience, an area that generates the majority of the court’s docket and profoundly affects public safety, due process, and constitutional rights.
As senior judges retire in the coming years, Judge Hanni will become the senior member of the court, positioning him to guide the Seventh District through its next era of service.
The Court needs that leadership.
Judge Mark Hanni is running for re-election to continue the reforms and strong leadership he has brought to the Seventh District Court of Appeals. He is proudly Pro-Trump, Pro-Police and Military, Pro-Life, and firmly committed to Christian values. As a practicing Catholic, Judge Hanni grounds his public service in faith, integrity, and moral clarity.
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