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Steven R. Adams
1965 – 2020
On the early morning of November 1, 2020, Steven R. Adams was killed when he was struck by a vehicle on Eastern Ave. while he was riding his bike. Along with Steve’s wife, Maria, his children, family, and many, many personal friends and loved ones, the Cincinnati legal commu-
nity suffered a tremendous loss that day.
Steve was an institution in the Hamilton County Courthouse.
His remarkable career included time as a clerk to Judge Norbert Nadel, eight years as an assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor, and since 2000, the founder and proprietor of the Law Office of Steven R. Adams. Steve was a prominent and aggressive liti- gator, primarily in DUI/ OVI defense. He was a frequent guest on Bill Cunningham’s radio show and other media outlets, and he lectured at numerous seminars and CLE’s on DUI law and trial advocacy. He also authored several books and many articles relating to his practice.
As a person and an attorney, Steve’s energy was boundless. He represented clients with focus and preparedness that lawyers often aspire to but fall short of. He pursued aggressive and creative strategies and his motion to suppress hearings were practically legendary. One of the last such hearings was in my room on October 29. It was continued in progress. Little did I know that we would never finish it, and I’d never see Steve again.
In the days that followed Steve’s death many heartfelt trib- utes were offered from friends and colleagues. Some of the most poignant were from police officers who faced Steve in court and believe he made them “a better cop” through his intense cross examinations. At times, hearings with Steve got heated. He took cases personally. He took his clients personally. No doubt they appreciated Steve’s zealousness. I’m glad to see he also earned the respect of so many officers too.
Steve was one-of-a-kind. His energy, generosity, & friend- ship seemed unlimited. Many knew him strictly as a “prominent
attorney”, and he was certainly very driven and successful. He aggressively promoted and expanded his practice and eventually purchased an office building that housed his firm. He also gave his time freely to help and support his friends any way he could. He built a bar in his building he called Filibuster’s. Happy hours and fundraisers were held frequently and drew an eclectic mix of courthouse regulars, family, and personal friends.
Steve was a fitness enthusiast. He swam competitively in college & completed the Ironman triathlon in Hawaii four times. He still worked out regularly, including early morning bike rides like the last one he took that cold November morning. But competitive as he was, Steve loved seeing his friends succeed, and he celebrated their successes like they were his own. He went out of his way to support countless others, personally and profession- ally, and with the same energy and enthusiasm that he brought with him to work. To have a friend in Steve was to have a friend for life.
One of the last times we spoke outside of court, Steve told me about a fishing trip he’d taken recently with his son and how special it was. It’s still hard to believe that he won’t be back to share more great stories, or to finish that hearing or the dozen or so other cases he had pending in my room. I wish I’d taken more time to be the friend to Steve that he was to me. As busy people, we always assume there will be more time tomorrow. I suppose that’s the moral of this tragic story: life is fragile and fleeting. Steve exuded a love of life. He was passionate about what he did and he loved intensely those closest to him. I believe he lived to make the most out of each day. What a fine example for the rest of us! The courthouse, especially Municipal Court, is not the same without him. Steve Adams is missed, but he will never be forgotten by those of us fortunate enough to have known him.
— Judge Josh Berkowitz
memorials
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CBA REPORT | September/October l 25