WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) offered their congratulations to Judge Dan Polster, U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio, as he elects to take senior status.
First nominated by President Clinton in 1997, Polster oversaw several cases involving the ongoing addiction crisis in Ohio, specifically cases involving local communities hit hard by opioid addiction seeking to hold certain opioid manufacturers and distributors financially accountable for their roles in the addiction crisis facing the state.
Polster also served as a trial attorney in the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice from 1976 to 1982, and an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Ohio from 1982 to 1998.
“Judge Polster served our state and nation honorably, especially through his rulings to hold pharmaceutical companies and opioid manufacturers accountable for the ongoing addiction crisis and secure justice for Ohio families and local communities,” said Brown. “Judge Polster’s integrity and commitment to justice will be missed on the federal bench, and we’re grateful for his service to our state and nation.”
“Judge Polster has served the Northern District of Ohio with distinction during his 16 years with the US Attorney’s office and his 22 years of service on the federal bench,” said Portman. “I’m grateful for his willingness to serve our country, and I know he will continue to be a leader for Northern Ohio in the years ahead.”
Federal judges can elect to take senior status, akin to retirement, once they reach the age of 65. Senior judges still hear cases and help handle the federal court caseload. Brown and Portman will announce next steps on their joint efforts to fill the federal court vacancy left by Judge Polster in the coming weeks.