Judge Benita Pearson
Northern Ohio U.S. District Court
Benita Yolanda Pearson was born in February 1963 in Cleveland, Ohio. She earned an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and received a Juris Doctor from Cleveland State University College of Law
She worked in corporate and retail marketing accounting before becoming a clerk in a Cleveland law firm. She then served as a litigation associate. She clerked for a judge in the Northern Ohio U.S. District Court and later became an assistant U.S. attorney in Cleveland.
She served as a Northern Ohio U.S. district magistrate judge before President Obama nominated her for district judge. She received confirmation from the Senate and received her judicial commission in December 2010.
In the News…
U.S. District Judge Benita Pearson has given preliminary approval for the $600 million settlement with Norfolk Southern. The class action was brought on behalf of victims of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023.
Judge Pearson noted in court documents that the settlement is “fair, reasonable, and adequate, entered into in good faith, and free from collusion.”
She scheduled a final approval hearing in late September to accommodate additional legal processing, including objections or exclusions. Judge Pearson also appointed an administrator to oversee the distribution process.
Contact this Leader…
Did you pray for Judge Pearson today? You can let her know at:
The Honorable Benita Pearson
U.S. District Court
313 Thomas D. Lambros United States Federal Building and Courthouse
125 Market Street
Youngstown, Ohio 44503-1780
