While it has worked out great, and I love what I do, becoming an attorney was largely happenstance for me and is, in fact, my second career. I was in the Marine Corps, but when my wife, Mary, graduated from medical school, I had to be in one place for at least 5 years—and I couldn’t do that in the Marine Corps. Law school allowed me to continue a career that still involved service (albeit of a different sort) and strategic thinking. Since we weren’t sure where my wife’s residency would be, I applied to 15 schools in 15 cities. I met my first attorney on the first day of law school at the University of Cincinnati. And the rest, as they say, is history.
This is a tough question and, much like when I’m at Graeter’s, I’m not sure I can pick just one. I did an environmental case in Illinois recently that had fascinating experiences, pleadings, and decisions through-and-through, culminating with an argument before the Seventh Circuit. It was particularly interesting given the slew of plaintiff’s counsel on the other side and the differences of opinion during questioning by the panel, which had appointees from Reagan to Obama. The panel came together to apply the law (correctly if you ask me) and provide a 3-0 decision in favor of our client. It was a great way to end a long, complicated, and creatively pleaded case.
I started out in the Navy ROTC program. I was a first-generation college student and would otherwise not have been able to afford college. I had a Navy scholarship but was drawn to the Marines. I loved the camaraderie, brotherhood, and commitment to shared goals, patriotism, and loyalty to the Corps. Eventually, I had my scholarship changed to the Marine Corps. It was an interesting time, just a year after I graduated and received my commission. I was newly married and am not sure I’d ever heard of Kuwait. Before I knew it, I was on boat and taking part in the largest amphibious invasion since WWII. I enjoyed every bit of my 8 years on active duty, and certainly think it very much prepared me to practice law. While individual effort is a huge part of succeeding, you also have to support and rely upon the people next to you. Practicing in a law firm is the same. It’s still service, just for a different client. I like my current team very much and feel very fortunate to have been able to practice at the same firm for my entire career.
I truly feel blessed to have the opportunities I have had and to do what I do. Serving on the Foundation is a way to give back. Giving back, whether through service or financially, is a way to help those who are not as fortunate as us. As a long-time member of our Grants Committee, I’ve seen first-hand how our efforts benefit others. I have been incredibly impressed with the collaboration between the Foundation, Legal Aid, and the Juvenile Court with the Juvenile Court Custody Clinic.
After two years of limited in-person experiences, we now have the opportunity to gather and work together in-person in a way that we hopefully will not take for granted again. I’d like to focus on renewing our relationships and commitments to one another, our profession, and our communities. We can do that, in part, through our fundraising efforts. Our interests and abilities are as diverse as we are. And, I certainly don’t believe in telling people how they should spend their money or invest their time. But, as attorneys, we have largely experienced different privileges in life from those that the Foundation helps. The legal system, with its rules, intricacies, and costs, can simply be overwhelming. Contributing to the Investing for Justice campaign is a way to know your contributions are being put to good use in that system.
To describe me as a family guy would probably be an understatement. I have a beautiful wife, Mary, of 32 years and two incredible kids. While I like to run and read, my nights and weekends have been filled with soccer, dance, orchestra, and lots of other activities for the past dozen years. I was not a soccer fun until my kids played, but I am now a huge FC Cincinnati fan. A favorite restaurant is hard as we have so many good ones. Instead of one, how about two: My favorite dine-in is The Precinct and my favorite take-out is Ollie’s Trolley! Both offer good food, unique ambience, and great times.