Algenon L. Marbley '76
Chief Judge Algenon L. Marbley is a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Upon recommendation from Senator John Glenn, President Bill Clinton appointed Judge Marbley to the bench in 1997.
Judge Marbley became the Chief District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio on September 14, 2019, becoming the first African-American to serve in that capacity. In his twenty-four years serving as a district court judge, Judge Marbley has presided over some of the most important cases in central Ohio and the country, ranging from voting rights issues to issues involving policing.
Prior to serving on the bench, Judge Marbley was a partner at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, where he practiced civil, criminal, and administrative law for 11 years. Judge Marbley also remains active in the community. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of The Ohio State University and serves on the boards of the KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) School and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The Washington Post adopted one of his statements during a trial as its motto: “Democracy dies in darkness.”
Chief Judge Marbley is married and the father of two adult sons, one stepson and three granddaughters.