She also was considered by President George W. Bush as a potential nominee for a United States Supreme Court seat that ultimately went to Justice Samuel Alito.

Batchelder briefly taught English and had a private legal practice from 1971 to 1983 in Medina, Ohio, near Cleveland.

[2] In 1983, Batchelder was appointed a Judge of the United States bankruptcy court for the Northern District of Ohio.

[2] On June 12, 1991, President George H. W. Bush nominated Batchelder to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit to the seat vacated by Pierce Lively.

[4] She assumed senior status on March 7, 2019 when her successor, Eric E. Murphy, was confirmed by the United States Senate.