Login | December 30, 2025
Retired Magistrate Judge William H. Baughman Jr. remembered
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: August 16, 2024
He served on the bench of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio for over 20 years, earning a reputation as an intelligent, dedicated and compassionate jurist, but on July 6 retired Magistrate Judge William H. Baughman Jr. passed away at the age of 75 after a lengthy illness.
Chief Judge Sara Lioi, who served on the Northern District of Ohio bench with Baughman for more than 15 years, said he was “a team player,” who was always willing to assist his colleagues in any way that he could.
“Magistrate Judge Baughman was an absolute delight; he loved serving on the court,” said Judge Lioi. “He was unfailingly polite, kind, possessed a keen intellect and had an unwavering commitment to the law, his country and his family.
“Like most federal judges, one of his favorite events to preside over was the naturalization of new Americans.”
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Magistrate Judge Jonathan Greenberg, whose courtroom was across the hall from Baughman’s, described him as “a gentleman” and “a dedicated federal magistrate judge,” who was a mentor and role model to judges and practitioners.
“Judge Baughman loved his job. He was dedicated to the court and was helpful to those who served after him. He was a friend to all. He will be missed,” said Magistrate Judge Greenberg.
“Bill was one of a kind in my eyes,” said his wife Maryan Baughman. “We had 50 good years of marriage and four years of courtship.
“He was a wonderful husband, father, attorney and a unique type of judge, who was always kind to his colleagues and those who came before him. His passing is a real loss not just to our family but to the legal profession.”
Born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania on June 23, 1949 to William H. Baughman Sr. and Rosita Jimenez Baughman, he was the eldest of their two children.
Baughman majored in political science at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1971.
“Bill was an Eagle Scout and a big history buff,” said Maryan. “He especially loved American history, which I think is what led him to study political science.”
It was while an undergraduate that he met his wife Maryan, who was attending Seton Hill College.
“At the time, our colleges were not co-ed, so we often socialized at each other’s events,” said Maryan. “Bill and I were the chairs of our orientation committees and we worked together to plan social events.
“When I found out we had the same birthday, I couldn’t believe it,” said Maryan. “I thought he was teasing me until he showed me his driver’s license. From that moment on I felt like we had a connection.”
They were married in the Basilica at Saint Vincent College on July 4, 1974 and had two children.
“I believe we were truly soul mates,” Maryan said. “He was completely dedicated to me and I was completely dedicated to him.”
Upon earning his juris doctor from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1974, Baughman started as a law clerk to the late 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Roger Kiley, an alum of Notre Dame Law.
When Judge Kiley passed away unexpectedly, he briefly worked for Chief Judge Luther Swygert until he secured a position with then-7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge, and shortly after, U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.
Baughman was asked to stay on for a second year but left to fulfill his military obligation.
He had been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during his second year of law school and was given a one-year deferment to serve as a law clerk.
While stationed at Ft. Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Stevens was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Had Bill sought another year’s deferment, it would have changed his entire career,” said Maryan.
After completing his Adjutant General Corps officer training, Baughman and his wife moved to Cleveland to start their family.
He continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve until 1981 when he received an honorable discharge.
In Cleveland, Baughman joined the law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, focusing primarily on litigation.
He then moved to Weston, Hurd, Fallon, Paisley & Howley, where he served as the chair of the firm’s appellate practice group.
“Bill enjoyed his work at Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, but he wanted to spend more time with his family, so he decided to leave,” said Maryan.
Baughman was sworn in as a magistrate judge for the U.S. District Court for Northern District of Ohio in February 2000.
He retired on July 1, 2022. He continued to serve the court in recall status until the time of his passing.
Gudrun Swoboda, administrative assistant to the clerk of court and chief deputy, was Baughman’s judicial assistant from February 2000 to July 19, 2015.
“He was a kind, gentle man and one of the most wonderful people you would ever meet,” said Swoboda. “He was a very good boss. He welcomed any suggestions his employees would make.”
Clerk of Court Sandy Opacich echoed similar sentiments.
“Magistrate Judge Baughman was intelligent, extremely patient and very kind,” said Opacich. “He had a gentle manner about him and handled any problems with grace.
“He made everyone who worked with him feel they were appreciated and special,” she said. “He was a remarkable man.”
“I knew Bill Baughman for 24 years and I am proud to have called him my colleague and friend,” said U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Judge Patricia Gaughan. “To know Bill was to know a man of unquestionable legal acumen and integrity, but also someone of extraordinary kindness and gentleness.
“The legal community has lost a remarkable jurist, public servant and friend,” said Judge Gaughan.
A member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Baughman chaired the organization’s litigation section.
He also served as the 6th Circuit representative on the board of directors of the Federal Magistrate Judges Association and was a member of the Magistrate Judges Advisory Group of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
Baughman was appointed by then 6th Circuit Judge Frederick Pierce Lively as a charter member of the court’s attorney advisory committee on rules and procedure and served as its chair for four years.
He was a life member of the 6th Circuit Judicial Conference and was on the Ohio Supreme Court’s Committee on Dispute Resolution.
Outside of the court, Baughman was an adjunct professor at Cleveland State University College of Law, where he taught advanced brief writing and oral argument as well as a constitutional law seminar focusing on the inner workings of the U.S. Supreme Court.
He also co-founded the Saint Vincent College Law Society and served as its first president, offering remote internships through the school’s prelaw program. His efforts earned him an Alumnus of Distinction Award in 2011.
In addition, Baughman created the Notre Dame Club of Cleveland’s Lawyers Alumni Committee to give Notre Dame law students and graduates an introduction to and opportunities for networking in the Cleveland legal community. A number of Notre Dame law students also interned with Baughman.
He remained active at the law school in numerous ways over the years, including as a member of the alumni committee and by sitting on panels for the annual moot court showcase.
For almost two decades, he was a visiting faculty member for the school’s intensive trial advocacy program, teaching and serving as a judge for student jury and bench trials.
In 2017, he was selected as the Notre Dame Club of Cleveland’s Person of the Year, and in March 2024 the Notre Dame Law Association presented him with the Edward Murphy Award.
In addition to his legal and teaching endeavors, Baughman gave back to his community.
Baughman was on the University Heights Board of Zoning Appeals from 1993-2000 and was awarded the Key to the City upon his retirement from service.
A Church of the Gesu parishioner, he was president of the parish council and a regular lector at the weekly 4:30 p.m., Christmas Eve and Easter Vigil masses for several decades.
He coached numerous CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) sports teams and the Shaker Heights travel soccer team.
Baughman was laid to rest on July 15 at Saint Vincent Cemetery in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
“Bill was very ill at the end, but he knew our 50th anniversary was very important to me,” said Maryan. “I think he forced himself to live long enough for us to celebrate it.
“He was in the hospital when we held the celebration,” she said. “The whole family showed up, including our grandchildren.”
Baughman leaves behind his wife Maryan, daughter Amy Baughman Lloyd (Kevin), son Chris (Angie), grandchildren William, Patrick and Matthew Lloyd and Ryan, Rachel and Jenny Baughman.
His parents and his sister Gloria preceded him in death.