Date: 8/30/2010

Text: CONTACT:  Kenneth A. Brown, OSBA, 800-282-6556 or 614-487-4426

Columbus, OHIO (August 30, 2010) – Most law students have undergraduate degrees such as political science, history or English. Andrew Clark is an exception. He graduated from Ohio Dominican University with a degree in computer science, and his unique background has allowed him to bring a different perspective to the profession.

“Logic equations are a big component of both programming and understanding the law,” Clark says, “The ability to think abstractly can be helpful when crafting arguments and understanding the interplay between issues.” Clark’s computer background has been extremely helpful for his career as an attorney, as he is able to provide clients with technical knowledge regarding programming and computing issues.

“Virtually everything about my practice centers around the use of technology,” explains Clark. “A big part of operating a technologically advanced law office is understanding what you need, what you have and what you are actually using.”

After Clark graduated from Capital University Law School, he started his own practice as a general practitioner. In November 2009, he joined the Dublin law firm of Anelli Holford, Ltd., where he focuses on real estate, business planning, and general litigation. He lives in Hilliard with his wife, Sara, whom he met in law school. He is an active member of the Ohio State Bar Association’s (OSBA) Young Lawyers Section Council, he was recently appointed as the vice chair for the OSBA’s Solo, Small Firm & General Practice Section. He is also a member of the Columbus Young Professionals, as well as several committees and sections of various bar associations.

Although Clark’s education has prepared him well for many elements of the profession, he believes that education alone could not prepare him for generating business, managing a practice, and creating his own niche. “My advice to new lawyers entering the solo/small firm arena is to find a mentor who can help provide some direction.” He offers, “The legal concepts that we deal with on a daily basis are only a portion of what being a lawyer is all about. A lawyer is more than the well drafted document or flawless closing argument he or she presents. A lawyer is an advocate, a counselor, an advisor, and occasionally the bearer of bad news and a mentor can help you become a well-rounded, successful lawyer.”

Clark believes that social media sites provide a convenient and invaluable forum for attorneys, regardless of their age: “Active involvement with sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn can increase your market visibility, provide co-counsel opportunities, reinforce your current relationships and help you understand how social media sites may impact your clients.” 

The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students. Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice. The OSBA CLE department has served Ohio’s legal professionals for more than 40 years and provides a full-service curriculum.

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Editors note: Andrew Clark’s residential zip code is 43228. A video interview with Clark is available on the Ohio State Bar Association’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9316cDymtdY. For a high-resolution picture, contact Stephanie Beougher at (614) 487-4415.

Date: 8/30/2010

Text:

CONTACT:  Kenneth A. Brown   800-282-6556 or 614-487-4426

Columbus (Aug. 30, 2010) - Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) President Carmen Roberto has appointed two area residents to chair the International Law Committee for 2010-2011.  The OSBA maintains 41 standing committees and 11 sections, each of which monitors a particular area of law.  Committees and sections work to improve the justice system by keeping Ohio lawyers informed about the latest court decisions and regulatory changes.  In addition, they comment on bills before the Ohio General Assembly and draft their own legislative proposals to improve existing laws.

David G. Bale, a Galena resident, has been named to chair the International Law Committee. Bale received his undergraduate degree from Capital University, his master’s degree from Wright State University, and his law degree from Cleveland Marshall College of Law. He is currently the principal member of the Westerville law firm, Bale & Associates, Ltd., where he focuses on advising business owners.  He also provides legal services in estate planning and administration, trusts, asset protection, charitable giving and non-profit organizations, general civil and probate litigation, and commercial and residential real estate. Bale is currently a member of the Westerville Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys. He is actively involved in his community as a member of the Westerville Chamber Commerce, the Westerville Symphony Board of Trustees, and Grace Lutheran Church of Westerville’s Endowment Committee (ELCA). 

Robert E. Moore has been appointed to chair the Agricultural Law Committee. Moore received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and graduated cum laude from Capital University Law School. Currently Moore is an attorney with the Dublin firm, Wright Law Co. LPA, where he focuses his practice on business organizations, real estate transactions, landlord/tenant issues, contracts, and farm service agency programs. Moore lives in Delaware, Ohio, with his wife, Kelly, and his daughter, Maddie.

The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students.  Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.

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Date: 8/30/2010

Text:

CONTACT:  Kenneth A. Brown   800-282-6556 or 614-487-4426

Columbus (Aug. 30, 2010) -  Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) President Carmen Roberto has reappointed Springfield lawyer William C. Hicks to chair the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee for 2010-2011.  The OSBA maintains 41 standing committees and 11 sections, each of which monitors a particular area of law.  Committees and sections work to improve the justice system by keeping Ohio lawyers informed about the latest court decisions and regulatory changes.  In addition, they comment on bills before the Ohio General Assembly and draft their own legislative proposals to improve existing laws.

Hicks received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and his law degree, cum laude, from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.  An attorney with the Springfield law firm of Cole Acton Harmon Dunn, Hicks concentrates on real estate law and probate and estate administration. He is a member of both the Springfield and Clark Country bar associations, and a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Springfield. Currently, Hicks is the president of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Foundation. Additionally, he served on the vestry at Christ Episcopal Church and on boards of both the American Red Cross and the Springfield Arts Council. He has past affiliations with the Family Service Agency of Springfield and the Springfield YMCA. Hicks and his wife, Gretchen, have two grown sons, William and Joseph.

The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students.  Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.

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Note to editors:  Residential zip code:  Hicks - 45504

Date: 8/30/2010

Text:

CONTACT:  Kenneth A. Brown   800-282-6556 or 614-487-4426

Columbus (Aug. 30, 2010) - Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) President Carmen Roberto has appointed 18 Columbus-area lawyers to be chairpersons of OSBA committees and sections for 2010-2011.  The OSBA maintains 41 standing committees and 11 sections, each of which monitors a particular area of law.  Committees and sections work to improve the justice system by keeping Ohio lawyers informed about the latest court decisions and regulatory changes.  In addition, they comment on bills before the Ohio General Assembly and draft their own legislative proposals to improve existing laws.

David G. Bale has been named to chair the International Law Committee. Bale received his undergraduate degree from Capital University, his master’s degree from Wright State University, and his law degree from Cleveland Marshall College of Law. He is currently the principal member of the Westerville law firm, Bale & Associates, Ltd., where he focuses on advising business owners.  He also provides legal services in estate planning and administration, trusts, asset protection, charitable giving and non-profit organizations, general civil and probate litigation, and commercial and residential real estate. Bale is currently a member of the Westerville Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys. He is actively involved in his community as a member of the Westerville Chamber Commerce, the Westerville Symphony Board of Trustees, and Grace Lutheran Church of Westerville’s Endowment Committee (ELCA). 

Lisa M. Burleson has been reappointed to chair the Education Law Committee. After having received her undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, Burleson earned her law degree from Capital University Law School. Currently the principal and owner of the Columbus firm of Burleson Law Offices, LLC.  She has also served as an associate with the Columbus firm of Means, Bichimer, Burkholder & Baker, and as deputy director of labor relations for the Ohio School Boards Association. In addition to being an active OSBA member, she serves on the Labor and Employment Committee of the Columbus Bar Association and is a member of the Ohio Council of School Board Attorneys. Within her community, she serves as vice-president for the Upper Arlington City Civil Service Commission and as a volunteer for the Vineyard Columbus Pro-Bono Legal Clinic. Burleson and her husband, Christopher, have a son, Gunnar, and a daughter, Gabriella.  

Justice Robert R. Cupp of the Supreme Court of Ohio has been reappointed to chair the Judicial Administration and Legal Reform Committee. Justice Cupp received his undergraduate degree with high distinction from Ohio Northern University, and his law degree from Ohio Northern’s Pettit College of Law.  Prior to his service on the Supreme Court of Ohio, Justice Cupp served as both presiding and administrative judge for the Ohio Court of Appeals, 3rd Appellate District. He was also a Lima City prosecutor and assistant director, a member of the Ohio Senate, and served two terms as an Allen County commissioner. Justice Cupp twice received the OSBA’s Distinguished Service Award, as well as the State 4-H Alumni Award, and the Ohio Association of Elected Officials’ Robert E. Hughes Memorial Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the improvement of Ohio’s election process. Currently Justice Cupp serves as a member of the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management. A past president of the 13-county Black Swamp Area Boy Scout Council, Justice Cupp is also a member of the Allen County Bar Association, the Lima Rotary Club, and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association Board of Trustees. Justice Cupp and his wife, Libby, have two sons, Matthew and Ryan.

Hilary R. Damaser has been appointed to chair the Administrative Law Committee. Damaser received her undergraduate degree from Swarthmore College and her law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. She is a senior assistant attorney general in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, representing the Ohio Department of Commerce’s State Fire Marshal and Financial Institutions divisions, the State Board of Cosmetology, and various other state agencies and boards.  Previously, Damaser worked for the Ohio Attorney General in the Corrections Section, and she has also clerked for Judge Peter B. Abele of the Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals and for former Justice Alice Robie Resnick of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Damaser was a commissioner for the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Commission on Professionalism and also served on the section council for the OSBA’s Women in the Profession Section. In the community, she has served as a government advisor for the Buckeye Girls State and is involved with an individual research project on Ohio’s first women attorneys.

Jacqueline C. Hagerott has been reappointed to chair the Dispute Resolution Committee. Hagerott received her law and master of laws degrees from Capital University Law School, and is currently the mediation counsel for the Case Mediation Section of the Supreme Court of Ohio, providing mediation for Supreme Court litigants. She is also the manager of the Dispute Resolution Section for the Supreme Court. Her experience includes the practice of law, an associate deanship, course design and development, and dispute resolution. Hagerott began mediating cases for Ohio courts in 1997 and is licensed in the State of Ohio, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, and the Supreme Court of the U.S.  Hagerott is a national speaker and trainer in foreclosure mediation and preparing clients for mediation. In her community, she volunteers as a volleyball coach for Immaculate Conception School.       

Karen S. Hockstad has been reappointed to chair the Corporate Counsel Section. Hockstad graduated from the University of Michigan and received her law degree, magna cum laude, from the Detroit College of Law. She currently practices the areas of general corporate and commercial litigation at the Columbus office of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick. Hockstad has previous experience working in the fields of commercial litigation, employment law and employment litigation, tax law, and tax controversy work. She is involved in her community as a board member for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Central Ohio. She is also a member of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Development Board and the Kiwanis Club of Columbus. She has been named an Ohio “Super Lawyer” in general business and employment law, has received an A-V rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and has received the Columbus Bar Association Community Service Award for lawyers ages 37 and over. Hockstad is married to James Bemiller.  

Cleve M. Johnson has been reappointed to chair the Traffic Law Committee. Johnson is a criminal defense attorney who has practiced law in Columbus since 1979. He is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, the Columbus Bar Association, the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Central Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.  He lectures statewide and nationally to other attorneys on topics relating to OMVI and traffic law, and to patients at the Maryhaven alcohol treatment center on the subject of drunk driving law.  Johnson has served on the Governor’s Task Force on Impaired Driving, the Joint Special Jury Instructions Committee on Senate Bill 123, and the Traffic Subcommittee of the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission, which drafted legislation to revise and streamline the misdemeanor, traffic, and driver’s license code.  He has also testified before committees of the Ohio Legislature regarding drunk driving and other traffic laws, and has written several articles on the topic of drunk driving for the OSBA’s “Law You Can Use” column.

William J. Kelly, an attorney in the Columbus office of Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, has been reappointed to chair the Corporation Law Committee. Kelly’s practice focuses on entrepreneurial business in the software, information technology, and biotech and medical device industries.  He received his undergraduate degree, cum laude, as well as his law degree, summa cum laude, from The Ohio State University. In addition to being an active OSBA member, Kelly is also a member of the American Bar Association and the Columbus Bar Association. A frequent speaker on corporate and securities topics, he has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of corporate, mergers & acquisitions and securities law, and by the publishers of Law and Politics and Cincinnati Magazine as an “Ohio Super Lawyer.”  In his community, he serves on the board of the Dublin Arts Council and is a past board member and secretary of the Ohio Public Expenditure Council.

James J. Lawrence has been named to chair the Taxation Committee. Lawrence received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and his law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.  A former chief counsel and deputy tax commissioner for the Ohio Department of Taxation, Lawrence is currently an attorney with Dublin firm of Zaino & Humprey, LPA, where he concentrates in the areas of state, county, and municipal taxation. Lawrence has served 30 years in the United States Army Reserve and is a member of the Columbus Bar Association. He is involved in his community through the Boy Scouts of America, and also serves on the Worthington Historical Society Board of Trustees. He and his wife, Margaret, have two children.

Richard F. Meyer has been appointed to chair the Elder Law Committee.  Meyer received his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Marietta College and his law degree from Capital University Law School.  He is a founding partner in the Columbus firm of Browning, Meyer & Ball Co., LPA, where he concentrates in elder law, probate, guardianship, estates, special needs trusts, and asset protection planning.  Meyer is an OSBA Board Certified Specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law, is AV rated from Martindale-Hubbell, and has been recognized as an Ohio “Super Lawyer.”  He is frequently asked to speak to organizations about elder law, estate planning, and probate-related fields.  He is currently a member of the Columbus Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Foundation, Ohio Trial Lawyer Association, and the American Bar Association’s Practice Management Section.

Robert E. Moore has been appointed to chair the Agricultural Law Committee. Moore received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and graduated cum laude from Capital University Law School. Currently Moore is an attorney with the Dublin firm, Wright Law Co. LPA, where he focuses his practice on business organizations, real estate transactions, landlord/tenant issues, contracts, and farm service agency programs. Moore lives in Delaware, Ohio, with his wife, Kelly, and his daughter, Maddie.

Joseph M. Reidy, a partner in the Columbus office of Schottenstein Zox & Dunn, has been reappointed to chair the Environmental Law Committee. Reidy is a member of his firm’s Environmental Practice Group and also heads its Brownfield Practice Group. He assists buyers, sellers, and developers of real estate in resolving environmental issues, and has extensive experience in securing state, federal, and private funding for the remediation of air and water pollution and hazardous materials. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati, his master’s degree in Zoology from DePauw University, and his law degree from Capital University Law School. As a former aquatic biologist for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Reidy gained extensive experience in wetlands and other water-related permit issues.  He has spoken before many organizations on environmental law, brownfield development, toxic tort, and other litigation. A member of the National Brownfield Association, the Urban Land Institute, and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Reidy also belongs to the environmental law committees of the American, Ohio State, and Columbus bar associations. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, and The Best Lawyers in America as one of America’s leading environmental lawyers, and has also been named an “Ohio Super Lawyer” every year since 2004.  

Justin Ristau, the vice chair of Bricker & Eckler LLP’s Creditor Rights & Bankruptcy Group, has been reappointed to chair the Banking, Commercial, and Bankruptcy Law Committee. Ristau received his bachelor’s degree from Hobart College and his law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He currently represents financial institutions in matters involving the full range of complex federal, state, and common law issues arising from consumer financing and residential mortgage lending. In addition, Ristau represents clients in cases involving bankruptcy, commercial foreclosure, workout and reorganization, and bankruptcy appellate proceedings. He is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine.  Ristau lives with his wife, Dr. Margaret Sawyer, and their three children:  Alexander, Thomas and Nicholas.

Gregory D. Russell, a partner in the Columbus office of Vorys, Sater, Seymour, and Pease LLP, has been reappointed to chair the Natural Resources Law Committee.  Russell received his undergraduate degree from Washington & Lee University, summa cum laude, and his law degree from Harvard Law School.  His practice involves assisting clients in business and litigation matters related to the exploration, production, transportation, and marketing of natural resources, including crude oil and natural gas.  Active in his community, Russell is a member of the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation Board of Trustees. He also chairs the Environmental and Safety Committee for the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, and serves as president of the Congregation Beth Tikvah Board of Trustees.  In 2005 and 2006, he was recognized by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine as a “Rising Star” in the fields of energy and natural resources.  Russell lives in Clintonville with his wife, Anne, and two children, Hannah and Joseph.       

Kevin T. Shook, an attorney in the Columbus office of Frost Brown Todd LLC, has been reappointed to chair the Media Law Committee. Shook received his undergraduate degree from Denison University and his law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. He concentrates his practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation, financial institutions, media law, advertising law, and Internet law, regularly representing large corporations, media outlets, and financial institutions in a variety of commercial litigation disputes.  He handles all aspects of newsroom-related matters, provides prepublication review of advertisements, and defends false advertising claims.  He also represents clients in Internet and technology-related matters, including CAN-SPAM compliance, domain disputes, and Internet privacy laws.  A member of the Employment Libel Committee of the Media Law Resource Center, Shook also serves on the Columbus Bar Association’s Pro Bono Committee and Common Pleas Committee. He was named by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine as a “Rising Star” in 2007, 2009, and 2010. He serves on the board of directors for the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus, and is also a member of the American Advertising Federation, the Advertising Federation of Columbus, the Ohio Newspaper Association, and the Ohio Association of Broadcasters.

Kerstin Sjoberg-Witt, legal director of the Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS) since January 2009, has been reappointed to chair the Access to Justice Committee. She manages legal advocacy on behalf of OLRS clients with an emphasis on active litigation matters.  She also works with OLRS attorneys and advocates to formulate legal strategies, coordinate complex impact litigation, and contribute to policy work on behalf of OLRS and its clients. In the past, Sjoberg-Witt was an associate in the Trial Practice Group at Jones Day, where she represented business and other organizational clients in a wide variety of civil issues. She also participated in pro bono matters, including a significant fair housing action that resulted in a jury verdict of $10.8 million for a group of residents outside Zanesville.  Between 2006 and 2008, Sjoberg-Witt served as the chair of the Pro Bono Committee of the Columbus Bar Association.

Paul Skendelas, Assistant Franklin County Public Defender, has been reappointed to chair the Juvenile Law Committee. Skendelas received his law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. He was a founding board member of Children’s Hospital CARES program for the evaluation of juvenile substance abusers and a former advisory board member and legislative liaison of the Ohio CASA/GAL Association (an association of Court-Appointed Special Advocates and Guardians Ad Litem). Skendelas is a founding board member and trainer of the CASA program of Franklin County, and is a former president of the Board of Youth Advocate Services (providing treatment foster homes with a focus on inner city children). He is also a past president of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (OACDL) and was the chair of OACDL’s Amicus Committee for four years. He is currently a member of the Supreme Court of Ohio Advisory Committee on Mentally Ill in the Courts’ Juvenile Issues Subcommittee, which is drafting a proposed set of statutes governing juvenile competency determinations.  Skendelas is married to Katherine Hunt Federle, a professor at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. He has two children, John and Katie, and one step-son, John Paul.

Bruce J. Weston has been appointed to chair the Public Utilities Law Committee. Weston received his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati and his law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. As the legal director for the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC), he manages a staff of attorneys in their advocacy for Ohio residential utility consumers. His responsibilities include managing the legal staff’s negotiation and litigation of utility proceedings on such matters as rates, service quality, alternative energy, and administrative rulemakings. He has promoted OCC’s program of legal internships for law students interested in public advocacy. Weston also serves as the agency’s deputy, by appointment of a governing board whose members are appointed to their positions by the Ohio Attorney General. Prior to joining OCC, Weston was in the private practice of law serving clients in utilities-related matters involving consumer protection, ratemaking, industry restructuring, and competition.

The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students.  Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.

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Date: 8/30/2010

Text:

CONTACT:  Kenneth A. Brown   800-282-6556 or 614-487-4426

Columbus (Aug. 30, 2010) - Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) President Carmen Roberto has appointed two Akron-area lawyers as chairpersons of OSBA committees and sections for 2010-2011. The OSBA maintains 41 standing committees and 11 sections, each of which monitors a particular area of law. Committees and sections work to improve the justice system by keeping Ohio lawyers informed about the latest court decisions and regulatory changes. In addition, they comment on bills before the Ohio General Assembly and draft their own legislative proposals to improve existing laws.

Michael R. Stith has been appointed to chair the Construction Law Committee. Stith received his undergraduate degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and his law degree from The University of Akron School of Law, where he was the case and comment editor for the Akron Law Review. Currently a sole practitioner in Akron, Stith served in the U.S. Army in the 82^nd Airborne Division. He is a commissioner for the Summit County Veterans Service Commission and an advocate for the Ohio State Association of Veterans Service Commissioners. He is licensed to practice law before all state and federal courts of Ohio, as well as before the United States Patent & Trademark Office. He serves as construction industry and commercial arbitrator through the American Arbitration Association, and is the vice-chair of the OSBA’s Intellectual Property Law Section. Stith is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association, and The University of Akron School of Law Alumni Association. He is also a central committee member for the Summit County Republican Party. Stith and his wife, Donna, have four children: David, Anne, Carol, and Jeff.

S. David Worhatch, a Summit County trial attorney, has been appointed to chair the Litigation Section. Worhatch graduated from Notre Dame Law School and founded his own law firm, The Law Offices of S. David Worhatch, with offices in both Akron and Cleveland. He represents individuals in cases involving employment-related disputes, civil rights matters, and real estate issues. He has previous experience in private and corporate practice as a trial lawyer and appellate advocate. As a member of the Litigation Section’s governing council for nine years, Worhatch has served three terms as treasurer of the section. He has also served his community as a city councilman and remains active in local government and political circles. He has been a court-appointed arbitrator and mediator since 1991.

The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students.  Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.

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Date: 8/30/2010

Text: CONTACT:  Kenneth A. Brown   800-282-6556 or 614-487-4426

Columbus (Aug. 30, 2010) - Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) President Carmen Roberto has appointed four Cleveland-area lawyers as chairpersons of OSBA committees and sections for 2010-2011.  The OSBA maintains 41 standing committees and 11 sections, each of which monitors a particular area of law.  Committees and sections work to improve the justice system by keeping Ohio lawyers informed about the latest court decisions and regulatory changes.  In addition, they comment on bills before the Ohio General Assembly and draft their own legislative proposals to improve existing laws.

Steven K. Kelley has been appointed to chair the Insurance Staff Counsel Committee. Kelley graduated from Ohio Northern University and received his law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He is a managing trial attorney with CNA Staff Counsel in Cleveland. Previously Kelley was a senior associate at Davis & Young and a managing attorney with the Hartford Staff Counsel. He is a past president of the Cleveland Association of Civil Trial Attorneys and the Independence Homeowners Association. Kelley and his wife, Lynn, have three daughters: Breanna, Kristen and Tarah. 

Brian D. Kerns has been appointed to chair the Negligence Law Committee.  Kerns received his undergraduate degree from Ohio University and his law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law. Currently he is the managing attorney at the Middleburg Heights firm of Kerns & Proe, where he concentrates on litigation and insurance law.  In addition to his service on the OSBA’s Negligence Law Committee, he is also a member of the OSBA’s Insurance Law Committee, the Council of Delegates, and has served on a Special Committee on Subrogation. A Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Kerns also serves on the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (OACTA) Board of Trustees, and was past chair of the OACTA Personal Injury Committee. Kerns and his wife, Theresa, have three children. 

Joseph B. Swartz has been appointed to chair the Labor and Employment Law Section. Swartz received his undergraduate degree from Middlebury College and his law degree from Cornell University Law School.  He is currently a partner in the Cleveland office of Weston Hurd LLP, where he focuses his practice on labor and employment law.  Swartz has extensive experience in estate planning, estate administration, trust administration, and income tax for individuals, estates, and trusts.  For six years, he was a member of Weston Hurd’s Management Committee and served as the firm’s financial partner. An active member of the OSBA Labor and Employment Law Section Board of Governors and Section Council for the past 30 years, Swartz has also chaired the Grievance Committee of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. He has been recognized by Law & Politics Media, Inc. as an “Ohio Super Lawyer” in the area of labor and employment law. In his community, Swartz has been a Boy Scout leader and a member of the Greater Cleveland Council’s Executive Board for more than 30 years. In addition, he has served on the Eagle Scout Association of the Greater Cleveland Board of Directors for more than 40 years and currently serves as its president. Also, he is a former president of Brendan Manor, Inc., a group home for low-income adults, including those with moderate disabilities.  Swartz has been married to his wife, Joanne, for 42 years. They have three children and seven grandchildren.

Robert P. Rutter has been appointed to chair the Insurance Law Committee. Rutter received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and his law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Currently Rutter is a partner in the Cleveland firm of Rutter & Russin, where he concentrates his practice on insurance bad faith litigation and insurance coverage litigation. He has previous experience in personal injury and medical malpractice law. In addition to being an active member in both OSBA’s Insurance Law Committee and Jury Instruction Committee, he belongs to the American Bar Association’s Insurance Coverage Litigation Section, the International Association of Arson Investigators, and the Cleveland Academy of Trial Lawyers. Rutter also chaired the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers’ Insurance Law Section and is frequently sought out as a lecturer and published authority on the topic of insurance bad faith law. He has argued before the Supreme Court of Ohio in two cases, Motorists Mutual v. Said and Zoppo v. Homestead Insurance Company; both were landmark decisions that have helped Ohio define insurance bad faith law.

The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students.  Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.

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Note to editors:  Residential zip codes:  Kelley - 44131; Kerns - 44256; Swartz – 44120.
Business zip code only:  Rutter - 44131.
Photos are available for Mr. Kelley and Mr. Rutter. Contact Debby Cooper at dcooper@ohiobar.org to request.

Date: 8/30/2010

Text:

CONTACT:  Kenneth A. Brown   800-282-6556 or 614-487-4426

Columbus (Aug. 30, 2010) - Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) President Carmen Roberto has appointed Coleen Hall Dailey to chair the Family Law Committee for 2010-2011.  The OSBA maintains 41 standing committees and 11 sections, each of which monitors a particular area of law.  Committees and sections work to improve the justice system by keeping Ohio lawyers informed about the latest court decisions and regulatory changes.  In addition, they comment on bills before the Ohio General Assembly and draft their own legislative proposals to improve existing laws.

Dailey received her law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and currently concentrates her practice in the area of family law. She is a member of the Ohio Association of Magistrates, the Ohio Judicial Conference Family Law and Procedure Committee, the Ohio Association of Domestic Relations Judges, the Ohio Mediation Association and the Ohio State Bar Foundation. In addition to serving on a variety of OSBA committees, she is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Columbiana County Bar Association and is a former member of the Ohio Women’s Bar Association. In her community, Dailey has been involved with the Columbiana County Progress Council, the League of Women Voters, the Columbiana County Domestic Violence Task Force, the Columbia County Democrat Party, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Columbiana County. In 2005 she was named “Magistrate of the Year” by the Ohio Child Support Directors Association.  She lives in East Liverpool, and has two children: Erin and Daniel.

The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students.  Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.

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Date: 8/30/2010

Text:

 CONTACT:  Kenneth A. Brown   800-282-6556 or 614-487-4426

Columbus (Aug. 30, 2010) -  Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) President Carmen Roberto has appointed Justice Robert R. Cupp of the Supreme Court of Ohio to chair the Judicial Administration and Legal Reform Committee for 2010-2011.  The OSBA maintains 41 standing committees and 11 sections, each of which monitors a particular area of law.  Committees and sections work to improve the justice system by keeping Ohio lawyers informed about the latest court decisions and regulatory changes.  In addition, they comment on bills before the Ohio General Assembly and draft their own legislative proposals to improve existing laws.

Justice Cupp received his undergraduate degree with high distinction from Ohio Northern University, and his law degree from Ohio Northern’s Pettit College of Law.  Prior to his service on the Supreme Court of Ohio, Justice Cupp served as both presiding and administrative judge for the Ohio Court of Appeals, 3rd Appellate District. He was also a Lima City prosecutor and assistant director, a member of the Ohio Senate, and served two terms as an Allen County commissioner. Justice Cupp twice received the OSBA’s Distinguished Service Award, as well as the State 4-H Alumni Award, and the Ohio Association of Elected Officials’ Robert E. Hughes Memorial Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the improvement of Ohio’s election process. Currently Justice Cupp serves as a member of the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management. A past president of the 13-county Black Swamp Area Boy Scout Council, Justice Cupp is also a member of the Allen County Bar Association, the Lima Rotary Club, and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association Board of Trustees. Justice Cupp and his wife, Libby, have two sons, Matthew and Ryan.

The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students.  Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.

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Date: 8/30/2010

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CONTACT:  Kenneth A. Brown   800-282-6556 or 614-487-4426

Columbus (Aug. 30, 2010) -  Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) President Carmen Roberto has appointed Athens lawyer Beth B. Ferrier to chair the Intellectual Property Law Section for 2010-2011.  The OSBA maintains 41 standing committees and 11 sections, each of which monitors a particular area of law.  Committees and sections work to improve the justice system by keeping Ohio lawyers informed about the latest court decisions and regulatory changes.  In addition, they comment on bills before the Ohio General Assembly and draft their own legislative proposals to improve existing laws.

Ferrier graduated from the University of Miami and received her law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Currently she is a partner in the Athens firm of Sowash Ferrier, LPA, where she represents clients primarily in the areas of business law, nonprofit law, estate planning, and intellectual property licensing. Ferrier is a member of the OSBA’s Labor and Employment Law Section, and its Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law Section. She is also a member of the Athens County Bar Association.  She chairs the Education and Mission Committee for the Amesville-New England Cooperative Parish and serves on the advisory council for Planned Parenthood of Southeast Ohio. Ferrier and her husband Jeff have a daughter, Sonya.

The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students.  Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.

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Date: 8/30/2010

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CONTACT:  Kenneth A. Brown   800-282-6556 or 614-487-4426

Columbus (Aug. 30, 2010) - Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) President Carmen Roberto has appointed C. Lynne Day to chair the Women in the Profession Section.  The OSBA maintains 41 standing committees and 11 sections, each of which monitors a particular area of law.  Committees and sections work to improve the justice system by keeping Ohio lawyers informed about the latest court decisions and regulatory changes.  In addition, they comment on bills before the Ohio General Assembly and draft their own legislative proposals to improve existing laws.

Day graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and earned her law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Currently she is a partner in the Chardon firm of Petersen & Ibold, where she practices family law. Day previously completed an internship under Judge Marvin Halbert at the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court and served as a mediator for the Franklin County Municipal Court.  She is active in the legal community as a past president of the Geauga County Bar Association, a trustee for the Ohio Women’s Bar Association and in June 2009, Day was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. She is a member of both the Cleveland Academy of Collaborative Professionals and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. Day was recognized by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine as a “Rising Star” in 2005, 2006, and 2007, and was named Board Member of the Year by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northeast Ohio.

The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students.  Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.

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Date: 8/30/2010

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CONTACT:  Kenneth A. Brown   800-282-6556 or 614-487-4426

Columbus (Aug. 30, 2010) -  Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) President Carmen Roberto has reappointed Sylvania lawyer Russell Miller, of Lyden, Liebenthal & Chappell, Ltd., to chair the Real Property Law Section for 2010-2011. The OSBA maintains 41 standing committees and 11 sections, each of which monitors a particular area of law. Committees and sections work to improve the justice system by keeping Ohio lawyers informed about the latest court decisions and regulatory changes.  In addition, they comment on bills before the Ohio General Assembly and draft their own legislative proposals to improve existing laws.

Miller graduated from Ohio University and received his law degree from the Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Ohio Northern University Law Review. Prior to joining his current firm, Miller was a partner at the Toledo firm of Barkan & Robon Ltd. and the Toledo office of Roetzel & Andress Co., LPA. He is a past chair of the OSBA’s Corporate Counsel Section and has served as co-chair of both the OSBA Membership Services Panel and the Future of the Profession Study Task Force. Currently, Miller chairs the Perrysburg Township Board of Zoning Appeals. He is also an Ohio State Bar Foundation fellow, a member of the Toledo Bar Association, a fellow of the Toledo Bar Foundation, and has served a presenter and organizer for numerous continuing legal education seminars and institutes. In the community, Miller belongs to the Sylvania United Church of Christ, the Boy Scouts of America, the Perrysburg Township Board of Zoning Appeals, and serves on various charitable and non-profit boards. He is married to Jean S. Miller and has grown children:  Russell (Jennifer Cellio) Miller, and Jennifer L. Miller. 

The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students. Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.                                                       -30-

Date: 8/30/2010

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CONTACT:  Kenneth A. Brown   800-282-6556 or 614-487-4426

Columbus (Aug. 30, 2010) - Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) President Carmen Roberto has appointed seven Cincinnati-area lawyers as chairpersons of OSBA committees and sections for 2010-2011.  The OSBA maintains 41 standing committees and 11 sections, each of which monitors a particular area of law. Committees and sections work to improve the justice system by keeping Ohio lawyers informed about the latest court decisions and regulatory changes. In addition, they comment on bills before the Ohio General Assembly and draft their own legislative proposals to improve existing laws.

Daniel E. Burke, a partner in the Cincinnati office of Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP, has been reappointed to chair the Workers’ Compensation Law Committee.  He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and his law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Since 2004 Burke has been recognized as one of Ohio’s “Super Lawyers” in the areas of labor and employment, workers’ compensation, and health care. He was also named in The Best Lawyers in America for his work in labor and employment law and workers’ compensation law, and he is an OSBA certified specialist in Ohio workers’ compensation law. He currently resides in Hyde Park with wife, Anne, and three children: Shannon, Will, and Sean.

Carol Glaser-Atkins has been appointed to chair the Health Care Law Committee. Glaser-Atkins received her bachelor’s, master’s, and law degrees from the University of Dayton. Currently Glaser-Atkins is the principal in the Springboro law firm of Carol J. Glaser, LLC, where she concentrates in the areas of health care compliance, estate planning, and elder law. She teaches business law as an adjunct professor at the University of Dayton and is a certified senior advisor and information privacy professional. Glaser-Atkins is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association, the Health Care Compliance Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the International Association of Privacy Professionals, the Dayton Bar Association, and the Warren County Bar Association. Within her community, Glaser-Atkins has been involved with Kickin’ it for Breast Cancer, the American Heart Association, the Franklin Food Pantry, Springboro Community Schools, and has held other various volunteer positions. Glaser-Atkins currently resides in Springboro with her five sons.

J. Ellen Kirkendall has been named to chair the Young Lawyers Section. Kirkendall received her undergraduate degree from Miami University and her law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She is the co-founder of Cincinnati law firm, Kirkendall Barrett, LLC, where she focuses in the areas of estate planning and probate. Previously she was an associate at The Wolfe Practice and a law clerk with the Law Offices of Blake R. Maislin. In addition, Kirkendall has experience in banking transactions, real estate, and elder law. A past-president and current board member of the Greater Cincinnati Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Kirkendall also belongs to the Cincinnati Bar Association and attends Crossroads Community Church.

Attorney David H. Lefton has been appointed to chair the Solo Small Firm & General Practice Section. Lefton received his undergraduate degree from Bradley University and his law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law. Currently a partner in the Cincinnati-based firm of Barron, Peck, Bennie & Schlemmer, Lefton focuses in the areas of estate planning, probate, corporate law, real estate, and general practice matters. He has experience as an adjunct professor at the College of Mount St. Joseph, where he has taught advanced legal research, and at the University of Dayton School of Law, where he has worked as an admissions counselor. Lefton is very active in the OSBA, the American Bar Association, and the Cincinnati Bar Association. He is affiliated with the Southern District of Ohio U.S. District Court, the Sixth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals, and the Ohio State Bar Foundation. In his community, he serves as president of the Greater Sycamore Soccer Association and previously served on the board of trustees for the Crest Hills Country Club. Lefton and his wife, Karen, have two daughters, Nicole and Carly.

John J. Mueller has been appointed to chair the Legal Ethics and Professional Conduct Committee. Mueller received his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati and his law degree from Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law. Currently, Mueller is a principal in the Cincinnati firm, John J. Mueller, LLC, where he concentrates on legal matters involving claims of lawyer malpractice, lawyer professional-responsibility issues, and the defense of lawyers in professional disciplinary proceedings. A member of the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section and the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association, Mueller has also served on multiple committees for the Cincinnati Bar Association, including the Grievance Committee and the Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law. He is a member of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers and the American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants.

Michael J. Newman has been reappointed to chair the Federal Courts and Practice Committee. Newman earned his undergraduate degree from New York University, and graduated cum laude from American University’s Washington College of Law. He is the chair of the Labor and Employment Appellate Practice Group of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP’s Cincinnati office, where he practices in the areas of labor and employment, commercial and business litigation, and mediation/arbitration. A member of the Cincinnati Bar Association Board of Trustees, he also serves as a mentor in the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program. He was elected to serve as Sixth Circuit vice president for the Federal Bar Association (FBA), nominated to serve on the FBA’s National Board of Directors, and was one of only two attorneys in private practice from the U.S. to be appointed to the FBA’s national Task Force on Diversity. Newman serves on the editorial board for The Federal Lawyer Magazine and has been named a “Leading Lawyer” for the past six years by Cincy magazine. He has also been recognized as one of the “Best Lawyers in America in Labor & Employment Law” and an “Ohio Super Lawyer.” Currently he serves on Cincinnati Public Radio’s Community Board and the Fine Arts Fund Grants Committee. Newman lives in Cincinnati with his wife, Rachel, and triplet daughters: Anna, Brigid, and Clare.

Judge James Shriver, who previously chaired the Traffic Law Committee, has been reappointed to chair the Criminal Justice Committee.  Having earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Cincinnati, Judge Shriver has served the Clermont County Municipal Court for 16 years, and is currently the court’s administrative judge and the judge for the OVI (operating a vehicle while under the influence) Court.  An active member of the Ohio Judicial Conference, Judge Shriver serves on its Criminal Law and Procedure Committee, Committee on Community Corrections, and co-chairs its Court Administration Committee.  He also serves on the State Task Force of Law Library Associations and was recently elected president of the Association of Municipal/County Judges of Ohio. Judge Shriver serves as a member of the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Advisory Committee on Specialized Dockets.  He has received numerous awards, including the 2009 President’s Award for Judicial Excellence from the Association of Municipal/County Judges of Ohio, the 2009 C.J. McLin award from the Ohio Justice Alliance for Community Corrections, and the 2006 Wasserman Champion Award, given for championing innovative services for consumers of mental health, alcohol, and drug addiction services.  Judge Shriver is a member of the Union Township Kiwanis, has served on the Clermont Senior Services Board and the Clermont County Special Olympics Board, and is president of the Mission Foundation of the Ohio River Valley District of the United Methodist Church.

The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students.  Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.

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Note to editors: 
Residential zip codes:  Burke - 45208; Glaser-Atkins – 45066; Kirkendall – 45103; Lefton – 45249; Newman – 45244; Shriver – 45245.
Business zip code only:  Mueller – 45202.

Photos are available for Burke, Kirkendall and Lefton; contact Debby Cooper at dcooper@ohiobar.org.

Date: 8/30/2010

Text:

CONTACT:  Kenneth A. Brown   800-282-6556 or 614-487-4426 

Columbus (Aug. 30, 2010) - Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) President Carmen Roberto has appointed four Dayton-area lawyers as chairpersons of OSBA committees and sections for 2010-2011. The OSBA maintains 41 standing committees and 11 sections, each of which monitors a particular area of law. Committees and sections work to improve the justice system by keeping Ohio lawyers informed about the latest court decisions and regulatory changes. In addition, they comment on bills before the Ohio General Assembly and draft their own legislative proposals to improve existing laws. 

Charles Faruki been reappointed to chair the Antitrust Law Section. Faruki is a trial lawyer and managing partner of Faruki Ireland & Cox PLL, a law firm with affiliations in Cincinnati and Dayton. Faruki concentrates his practice in business litigation and has spoken to various professional groups on topics including antitrust and competitive torts, intellectual property issues, ethics and professionalism, trial skills, class actions, evidence, insurance, and federal practice and procedure issues. Faruki received his bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Cincinnati and his law degree, cum laude, from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.  A fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Faruki also belongs to the Litigation Counsel of America, the American Bar Foundation, the Ohio State Bar Foundation, and the American Board of Trial Advocates.  He is a past president of both the Dayton Bar Association and the Dayton Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and chairs the Bar Examination Committee of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.  An active OSBA member, Faruki is the immediate past chair of the OSBA Federal Courts and Practice Committee. He is also a member of the American, Federal, and Federal Circuit bar associations, as well as the Defense Research Institute.

Carol Glaser-Atkins has been appointed to chair the Health Care Law Committee. Glaser-Atkins received her bachelor’s, master’s, and law degrees from the University of Dayton. Currently Glaser-Atkins is the principal in the Springboro law firm of Carol J. Glaser, LLC, where she concentrates in the areas of health care compliance, estate planning, and elder law. She teaches business law as an adjunct professor at the University of Dayton and is a certified senior advisor and information privacy professional. Glaser-Atkins is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association, the Health Care Compliance Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the International Association of Privacy Professionals, the Dayton Bar Association, and the Warren County Bar Association. Within her community, Glaser-Atkins has been involved with Kickin’ it for Breast Cancer, the American Heart Association, the Franklin Food Pantry, Springboro Community Schools, and has held other various volunteer positions. Glaser-Atkins currently resides in Springboro with her five sons.

William McGraw has been reappointed to chair the Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law Section.  McGraw received his undergraduate degree from Ohio University and his law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, and currently serves as president of the Troy-based firm, Dungan & LeFevre. He focuses his practice in the areas of estate planning, trusts, probate, and business law, and handles a variety of business planning matters including corporations, limited liability companies, and family limited partnerships. McGraw is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and is also an OSBA certified specialist in estate planning and trust and probate law. McGraw is a past president of the Miami County Bar Association and currently serves on the editorial board of the Ohio Probate Law Journal. Additionally, he speaks at OSBA CLE conferences around Ohio and has published numerous articles on estate planning and trust law. He was recognized by Cincinnati Magazine as one of Ohio’s “Super Lawyers” in the Dayton/Cincinnati area from 2004 to 2010. He was also named as one of the top 50 lawyers in the Dayton area and as one of the top 100 lawyers in the state of Ohio. McGraw and his wife, Donna, have two children, both married, and four grandchildren.

Richard E. West has been reappointed to chair the Lawyers’ Assistance Committee. After serving in the United States Navy, West earned his undergraduate degree from St. Joseph’s University and his law degree from Temple University Law School. A board-certified consumer bankruptcy specialist with offices in Dayton, Springboro and Cincinnati, West is also admitted to the U. S. Supreme Court, U.S. Tax Court, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, U. S. Court of Federal Claims, Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, and the Supreme Court of Ohio. He is a member of the American Bankruptcy Law Forum, the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, and the Dayton Bar Association. He has also delivered numerous lectures on professionalism and other topics at seminars sponsored by the OSBA.

The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students.  Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.

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Date: 8/30/2010

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CONTACT:  Steve Stover – 800/282-6556 or 614/487-4464

Columbus, Ohio (August 30, 2010) – The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA), the Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF), the Ohio Judicial Conference (OJC) and the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (OSU) today announced the establishment of the Chief Justice Moyer Legacy Fund to honor the contributions of the late Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer.

The Fund’s initial fundraising efforts will support two worthy causes:

• Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Professorship for the Administration of Justice and Rule of Law.  This endowed professorship at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law will honor and continue Chief Justice Moyer’s legacy of integrity and professionalism, deepening the impact of these qualities on the lives of countless students and on the law itself. 
• Fellowship Grants to Law Students at Ohio Law Schools.  These rotating fellowship awards will support statewide legal education initiatives and programs for exceptional law students to instill in them the concepts of ethics, integrity and civility that Chief Justice Moyer personified.

Details about the Chief Justice Moyer Legacy Fund will be unveiled at a gala planned for December 3 in Columbus.

“Our friend and colleague, Thomas J. Moyer, the mild-mannered patriarch of the Ohio judiciary for nearly a quarter century, is gone,” said Barbara J. Howard, OSBA past president and chair of the Chief Justice Moyer Legacy Fund Committee. “He leaves an amazing legacy of which every citizen of the state of Ohio can be proud. And he leaves a legacy that all of us can preserve through the Chief Justice Moyer Legacy Fund. We are announcing the establishment of the Fund now so the lawyers, judges, leaders and citizens of Ohio can join together in supporting the legacy of Chief Justice Moyer in very meaningful ways and in ways that will last in perpetuity.

Members of the Chief Justice Moyer Legacy Fund Committee include:
Barbara J. Howard, chair, immediate past president, Ohio State Bar Association Alison Belfrage, executive director, Ohio State Bar Foundation
David B. Bennett, president, Ohio State Bar Foundation
Robert M. Duncan, former Justice, Supreme Court of Ohio
Judge Sheila Farmer, chair, Ohio Judicial Conference
Steven C. Hollon, administrative director, Supreme Court of Ohio
Leslie W. Jacobs, partner, Thompson Hine
Carol Seubert Marx, president-elect, Ohio State Bar Association
Dean Alan C. Michaels, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
Frederick E. Mills, partner, Vorys Sater Seymour & Pease
William S. Newcomb, Jr.; retired partner, Vorys Sater Seymour & Pease
Carmen V. Roberto, president, Ohio State Bar Association
Steve Stover, legislative counsel, Ohio State Bar Association
Craig Zimpher, vice president, government relations, Nationwide Insurance

The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students. Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice. 

The Ohio State Bar Foundation is the charitable arm of the Ohio State Bar Association. As a 501(c)(3), the OSBF uses grants and programs to improve the justice system, advance the law, and improve public understanding of the law.

The Ohio Judicial Conference is an independent statutory entity within the judicial branch of government charged with studying the coordination of the work of the courts of Ohio; encouraging uniformity in the application of the law, rules, and practice throughout the state; promoting an exchange of experience about the operation of the judicial system; and considering the business and problems pertaining to the administration of justice and to make recommendations for its improvement.

The Moritz College of Law has served the citizens of Ohio and the nation since its founding at Ohio State in 1891. The College of Law offers more than 145 courses, covering nearly every area of the law, including an array of clinical and skills courses. A proud Buckeye and distinguished alumnus, the late Chief Justice Moyer earned both his undergraduate and law degrees at Ohio State and served as chair of the board of the directors of the Ohio State Alumni Association.

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Date: 8/27/2010

Text:

The following statement may be attributed to Ohio State Bar Association President Carmen V. Roberto.

The Ohio State Bar Association has long believed that the citizens of Ohio need to be presented with the credentials and experience of candidates for the Supreme Court of Ohio so they can make intelligent and informed voting decisions.  Credentials, judicial temperament and experience should be the focus of the races for Supreme Court of Ohio, not name calling, personal attacks or political posturing.

The Supreme Court of Ohio has long been noted for having justices who show respect to one another and to those who appear before them.  That is a standard that all candidates for seats on the Supreme Court of Ohio should maintain during the campaign and after the election to insure the public’s trust and confidence in the judiciary. 

We urge the candidates for the Supreme Court of Ohio to be civil to one another, to respect their differences, and to provide Ohioans with the information about their credentials and experience voters deserve to make well-informed decisions on Election Day. 

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To authenticate this statement, please contact Ken Brown, OSBA Director of Public & Media Relations, 800-282-6556 (toll free), 614-487-4426 (office), or 614/746-2457 (mobile).

Date: 8/10/2010

Text: CONTACT:              Kenneth A. Brown, OSBA, 800-282-6556 or 614-487-4426

Columbus, OHIO (August 10, 2010) – It took three attempts for corporate lawyer Nancy Brown to fully retire, but retirement has not stopped her from keeping a hand in the legal profession as a volunteer.

“It was very important to me to find new outlets that would be intellectually challenging,” Brown says about her involvement in the legal field as a retired lawyer. “I had spent my whole career in corporate law. Between work and family, I had little time to give back to the community, but now I have an opportunity to correct that imbalance.”  

Brown received her law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and spent almost 30 years as in-house counsel for Borden, Inc. Brown says she enjoyed the diversity of legal challenges presented by working for a large corporation, and still manages to maintain a level of diversity in retirement.

An active member of the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA), Brown is a member of the Dispute Resolution Committee. She also serves on the board of the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, as a volunteer guardian-ad-litem with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and as a home foreclosure mediator through Ohio’s “Save the Dream” project.

As a board member and chair of the Advocacy Committee for the League of Women Voters of Ohio (LWVO), Brown has been involved in judicial reform efforts that are currently being explored in conjunction with the OSBA. “Since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down prohibitions on electioneering communications by corporations and unions,” says Brown, “it becomes even more important that we move to a system that eliminates or greatly reduces the role of money in selecting our Supreme Court judges.”

Brown believes an excellent way for lawyers to stay involved after retirement is through networking with other newly retired lawyers. She attributes her involvement with CASA to meeting an emeritus attorney passionate about the program. "I’m grateful for the network of other newly retired lawyers who helped to guide me,” Brown said. “I may have retired from my legal practice, but I didn’t retire from the profession.”

 The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students. Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice. The OSBA CLE department has served Ohio’s legal professionals for more than 40 years and provides a full-service curriculum.

 

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Date: 8/6/2010

Text:

The following statement may be attributed to Ohio State Bar Association President Carmen V. Roberto 

The Ohio State Bar Association offers its congratulations to Elena Kagan who has been confirmed as the 112th justice, the fourth woman member of the United States Supreme Court.

Elena Kagan is an accomplished member of the bar and a distinguished academic who is well-suited to serve as a justice on the nation’s highest court.  We are confident that she will execute the duties of her office professionally, and that her experience will serve to further the administration of justice.  

It is important that our judiciary at every level reflect the population that it serves. The Senate’s action continues our proud heritage of selecting people with excellent credentials to serve on the nation’s highest court. 

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The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students. Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.

To authenticate this statement, please contact Ken Brown, OSBA Director of Public & Media Relations, 800-282-6556 (toll free), 614-487-4426 (office), or 614/746-2457 (mobile).

Date: 8/5/2010

Text:

CONTACT:  Hope Sharett, LLI Executive Director, 614/485-3504              LOCAL CONTACT: Cybele Smith, 614-313-9777

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)- August 5, 2010 - For a group of Columbus area ninth grade students, a summer of learning the ins and outs of criminal law culminates with a mock trial that allows the students to show off their newly acquired skills before friends and family.  The mock trial for Columbus Law & Leadership Institute (LLI) students will be held Thursday, Aug, 5 at the Supreme Court of Ohio at 6:30 p.m.

Most high school students spend the long, lazy days of summer sleeping in, hanging out with friends and swimming at the local pools—unless of course they are the students of the LLI. These students spend five weeks of the summer at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and Capital University Law School learning about the law and developing important leadership and life skills. LLI is designed to introduce high school students from under-served schools to the wide array of legal careers and to prepare those students to achieve the scholastic success needed to ultimately obtain a law degree.

LLI recruits students from the high schools that neighbor the eight Ohio law schools located in urban areas, namely Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo.  Despite their proximity to the law schools, many of the students who attend LLI’s Summer Institute at their local law school campuses would not have otherwise ever considered taking the necessary steps toward a legal career without the LLI experience.

Statewide, the Law and Leadership Institute has 286 participants in the 2010 Summer Institute that began on July 6, 2010. Locally, both The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and Capital University Law School served as joint hosts to 50 of those students this summer. 

Students begin the LLI journey the summer before ninth grade and remain with the program until graduation. During the school year, students attend LLI classes on Saturdays receiving academic support and training for intersquad legal debates.  The LLI program in Columbus draws its students from local public school districts, including Columbus Public Schools, Gahanna City Schools and Canal Winchester Local Schools.

 The students meet five days a week at The Ohio State University Moritz Colege of Law and Capital University Law School. The law school deans, Dean Alan C. Michaels and Dean Richard C. Simpson of the OSU Moritz College of Law and Capital University Law School, respectively, made the facilities available so that the students could see what it feels like to study in a law school classroom. The classes are taught by current law students or recent law school graduates. The law students are helped and guided by veteran Eastmoor Academy teacher Seth Harms and Jason Lewis of Brookhaven High School, both of Columbus Public Schools.

Thanks to the tremendous support of the Columbus legal community, the tenth grade LLI students spent last week as interns at the local law offices of Bricker & Eckler LLP; Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan and Aronhoff; Chester, Wilcox & Saxbe; Kelger, Brown, Hill & Ritter; Schottenstein, Zox & Dunn and Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease.

The Law and Leadership Institute originated with the Supreme Court of Ohio on a pilot basis in 2008 with just over 40 ninth grade students split between Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law.  In 2010 the program has expanded to include the University of Akron School of Law, Capital University School of Law, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, University of Cincinnati College of Law, University of Dayton School of Law and the University of Toledo College of Law. 

Courtesy of the financial and in-kind support of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Foundation, the Law School Admission Council, in addition to the state’s law schools, bar associations and other stewards of the Ohio legal community, LLI continues its work to enhance the diversity of the state’s legal profession so that it more closely resembles the diversity of the state. 

Further information about the LLI program here in Columbus and statewide can be obtained at the program’s website www.lawandleadership.org.  

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