Page 30 - November December CBA Report

memorials
Pete Rosenwald
1945 – 2021
Pete Rosenwald died peacefully in the company of friends and family on June 13, 2021. He was born March 10, 1945 in Alingsas, Sweden to the late Willi and Else Andersen Rosenwald. His parents emigrated to Cincinnati where they oper- ated Vicki’s of Clifton Apparel Shop and
raised a loving family.
Pete grew up in the Bond Hill neighborhood, graduating from
Woodward High School in 1963, University of Cincinnati School of Pharmacy in 1968, and Salmon P. Chase Law School in 1973. Before attending law school, Pete was a pharmacist at Raoul’s Pharmacy on Ludlow Avenue near his parents’ store in Clifton.
After graduating from law school, Pete worked as one of the first full time assistant public defenders in Hamilton County. He and a group of other young advocates worked under the guiding hand of Bea Larsen, first with the Model Cities Program, and then with Legal Aid. Pete spoke admirably of her leadership and his time as a lawyer in her office. He was recognized early on for his professionalism, advocacy and skill in defending those accused of crimes. He went to jail for a client when a judge tried to force Pete to conduct a hearing with a client he had never met. While the judge treated the hearing as unimportant, Pete did not. When he stood his ground, he was held in contempt and jailed. Another lawyer was also held in contempt and jailed for the same refusal. The facts and law appear in State v Gasen, 356 N.E.2d 505 (1976), which reversed the findings of contempt and recognized the lawyers for their professionalism.
Pete transitioned to private practice where he had a long and successful career in state and federal Courts, representing clients for over 45 years. He and his partner Tom Miller defended some of the biggest criminal cases in state and federal courts for decades. But Pete never stopped accepting indigent clients, consistent with his belief lawyers must give of themselves to the community and the profession. Pete stood up more than once to defend the diffi- cult case in stellar fashion. He tried the very first death penalty case after capital punishment was reinstated in Ohio, State v Byrd. He also represented Alton Coleman, whose trial attracted national attention.
Pete was an avid golfer, passionate fan and longtime season ticket holder of University of Cincinnati basketball. He loved to travel, some of which included hiking the Appalachian Trail, trav- eling to Sweden and to UC basketball post-season games. Pete loved playing sports and watching them, both on television and in-person. Pete was a licensed pilot, as well as a certified SCUBA diver.
He dedicated significant time to the Cincinnati Bar Associ- ation in promoting the ethical practice of the law. He served on the Cincinnati Bar Association Grievance Committee for over 20 years, as well as a term as president of the Committee. He was an active member of the Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyers Asso- ciation, serving as a Past-President and member on its Board of Directors. In 2018, the Association established the “Peter Rosen- wald Professionalism Award”. An award presented to a member of the criminal defense bar demonstrating the highest ethics and professionalism, Pete was the first recipient.
Pete served as president of a local charity, “Friends to the Indi- gent”, which provided training opportunities for local lawyers who accept representation of the indigent accused in our community. He was a mentor, friend and counselor to many in the profession and served as an active member of the Woodward High School ’63 Reunion Committee. Respected and admired by all who encoun- tered him, Pete was a true gentleman.
Pete is preceded in death by his brother Jerry (Kay) and survived by his sister Linda Partee (Eric) and stepson John Shoe- maker (Zaidee). He leaves behind many loving and cherished cousins, nephews, nieces and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. In accordance with Pete’s wishes he will be cremated and a Cele- bration of his life will be planned for the fall. In lieu of flowers donations are requested in his honor to Hospice of Cincinnati www.hospiceofCincinnati.org and/or Friends to the Indigent www.friendstotheindigent.org.
— Bill Gallagher and Jay Clark
30 l November/December 2021 CBA REPORT
www.CincyBar.org