New Supreme Court Clerk Robert Vaughn previously worked in the clerk’s office and as a law clerk for Justice Robert Cupp.

New Supreme Court Clerk Robert Vaughn previously worked in the clerk’s office and as a law clerk for Justice Robert Cupp.

One of Robert Vaughn’s first jobs as a lawyer was working as case management counsel for the clerk of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Decades later, he has returned, now as the Clerk of the Court. Vaughn replaces Sandra Grosko, a one-time coworker, who retired in the fall.

Vaughn was sworn in on Monday, bringing with him 25 years of wide-ranging experience in the legal profession.

“Everything in the law interested me. I consider myself a generalist, and I wanted to experience it all” said Vaughn. “It is what makes the work of a clerk so interesting, each case is unique.”

As a young attorney, Robert Vaughn went to work in crime victims compensation for the Court of Claims. When a legislative change moved the crime victims compensation program under the responsibility of the attorney general, Vaughn continued the work there.

When he first came to the Supreme Court, he worked alongside the recently retired Grosko. They were the two who handled the unusual filings and anything out-of-the-ordinary. When he left the clerk’s office, it was to work directly for Justice Robert R. Cupp. And when he left the Court, he became a private practice attorney and served as guardian ad litem, speaking on behalf of children who had become court involved.

Vaughn has also worked for Cedarville University as an attorney and professor. And was appointed to the bench in Clark County common pleas court.

Most recently, Vaughn was court administrator for Franklin County domestic relations and juvenile court. The management experience and attention to detail are tools that will serve him well at the Court.

“The Supreme Court is the model of professionalism,” Vaughn said. “The staff here is very knowledgeable and great at helping people get answers about the filing process and cases.”

As Clerk of the Court, Vaughn and his staff manage all cases and documents filed with the Supreme Court from the time they are received through to their conclusion. The office also prepares and issues court orders, schedules oral arguments, and helps attorneys and the public with procedural questions about appellate cases. Attorneys in the clerk’s office cannot give legal advice to litigants but they help people navigate the system which took in 1,653 new cases and more than 10,000 filings in 2022.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be part of the Court again, and serving all Ohioans,” Vaughn said.