A successful cAreer in lAw evolves from A quAlity educAtion thAt inspires, prepAres And supports.

IN THIS ISSUE

• 1975 and 1990 Class Reunions

• 2010-11 Law Alumni Board Report

• Professor George D. Vaubel

Remembered

• Law Student Organizations

• Alumni Recognized

• 2011 Ohio Super Lawyers

• Alumni Moot Court Room

Renovated

A Year in Review

CONTACT US!

Dean’s Office 419-772-3051

Admissions 419-772-2211 email: lawadmissions@onu.edu

Law Alumni 419-772-1980email: lawalumni@onu.edu

Law Career Services 419-772-2249email: lawcareer@onu.edu

Law Development 419-772-3978 email: lawdevelopment@onu.edu

Mailing address: 525 South Main Street Ada, OH 45810

www.law.onu.edu

A JournAl for Alumni & friends of ohio northern university clAude w. pettit college of lAw

A Year in Review

Volume 5 Issue 1 | Fall 2011

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Sidebar is an official publication of the College of Law. Sidebar is published three times a year and distributed to alumni and friends of the College of Law.

Alumni are encouraged to submit notices and announcements for possible inclusion in the college’s publications or website. Letters and alumni notes should be sent to:

Can You Help? As part of the college’s 125th anniversary celebration, a number of class composites were framed and displayed throughout the building. Unfortunately, there are several classes for which we do not have a class photo. We are interested in finding photos for those missing years. If you have a class photo or composite for any of the following years, please contact Mindi Wells, assistant dean for administration and student services, at m-wells@onu.edu or 419-772-2230.

Missing class photos: 1960-62, 1972-74, 1976-86, 1989-90

On the Cover The stained glass dome in the Celebrezze Moot Court Room.

MINDI WELLSOhio Northern UniversityPettit College of Law525 S. Main StreetAda, OH 45810 Phone: 419-772-3051Fax: 419-772-2318www.law.onu.edulawalumni@onu.edu

SIDEBAR STAFFEditor: Mindi Wells, BSBA ’95, JD ’98m-wells@onu.eduAssistant Dean for Administration and Student Services, College of Law Text Editor and Contributing Writers: Carol Wilson, Senior professional writing major and Caroline Mangan, Sophomore marketing major

Copy Editing and Design Layout: Communications and Marketing

SIDEBAR

Chris, JD ’08, and Amanda (Stewart) Keller, JD ’08, are living a dream in Florida. Happily married, successful attorneys who reside just one mile from a sun-drenched beach, they credit ONU’s Pettit College of Law for helping them to achieve their aspirations. “Northern gave us a chance and the confidence to create the life we wanted,” says Amanda.

Amanda entered the College of Law through the Summer Starter Program. An exceptional undergraduate student at Walsh University, she was disheartened to receive a low score on the LSAT exam. The unsatisfactory score could have signaled the end of her law school ambitions. But Ohio Northern looked beyond the score and saw Amanda’s potential. Through the program, she was given the chance to excel.

The program admits students who show academic promise, but have a low LSAT score, and prepares them for the fall semester with eight weeks of first-year legal coursework in the summer.

Amanda went on to become a top student in her law class, even earning a scholarship along the way. She also met Chris, her future husband, in law school. One year ahead of her, he was assigned to be her peer advisor. “Our relationship just took off immediately,” says Chris.

Chris, who received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, was drawn to Northern because of its welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Ever since he was a little boy, he had been interested in a career in law enforcement. His experiences at Northern solidified his desire to become a prosecutor and “seek justice and make the world a better place,” he says.

After graduating with distinction, Amanda landed a job in commercial litigation at the Boca Raton office of the prominent

civil firm Buckingham, Doolittle, and Burroughs LLP. Chris became an assistant state attorney for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office before joining the Palm Beach State Attorney’s office. They both passed the Florida and Kentucky bar exams on their first attempt, which they credit to their studies at ONU.

“We entered the job market at a scary time,” admits Amanda. She says the law college’s career services and alumni network played an instrumental role in helping her and Chris find their first jobs. The pair didn’t hesitate to reach out to Ohio Northern law school alumni, including Philip Wiese, JD ’96, John Genovese, JD ’79, Alan Ciklin, JD ’71, and Jo Ann (Martarello) Koontz, BSBA ’01, JD ’06, who all took the time to befriend them and offer advice.

While Chris and Amanda work in completely different areas of law, they both love what they do. Amanda spends her days serving clients by preparing pleadings, motions and other legal memoranda, attending

special set and uniform motion calendar hearings, and engaging in discovery.

Meanwhile, Chris juggles a heavy caseload of felony trials, from possession of cocaine to first-degree murder. He recently tried his first case that resulted in a sentence of life in prison. Two armed men were accused of robbing and killing an ice cream truck driver. The murder victim, a Haitian immigrant, left behind a wife and five kids. “It was an uphill battle because a lot of evidence was suppressed,” he says. “But justice was served in the end.”

Grateful for all the opportunities that ONU provided them, Chris and Amanda are eager to mentor recent law school graduates who are considering a move to Florida. “We have a pay-it-forward mentality,” says Amanda. “After all, Ohio Northern was more than just an institution where we received our law degrees. It’s the foundation upon which our careers and our lives together are built.”

By: Laurie Wurth PresselA Shared Love of Law

Volume 5 Issue 1 | Fall 2011 | 3

Row 1 (L-R): Troy Hyde, JD ’90, Thomas Miller, JD ’90, Joy Gokey, JD ’90, Dana Finkelstein, JD ’90, Mary Catherine Barrett, BA ’85, JD ’90, Marc Brandes, JD ’90, John Kalish, JD ’90, Daniel Carey, JD ’90.

Row 2 (L-R): Thomas Murphy, JD ’90, Howard Fenton, professor of law and director of LLM Program, Russell Gilfus, JD ’90, Jeff Adler, JD ’90, John Ciuffo, JD ’90, Robert Boyer, JD ’90, Stephen Veltri, professor of law and associate dean of academic affairs.

Photo taken in the Celebrezze Moot Court Room

INTERESTED IN HAVING A CLASS REUNION?Contact the Law Alumni office at lawalumni@onu.edu or 419-772-1980.

The ONU Law class of 1975 met over the weekend of June 11-13, 2010, for a 35-year reunion. The weekend’s events opened Friday afternoon with a round of golf at the Colonial Golfer’s Club. On Saturday, the alumni reminisced about their law school days during a tour of the College of Law and ONU’s campus. Saturday’s events also included a reception, group photo and dinner at The Inn during which the classmates had a chance to bond and catch up with one another. The reunion concluded Sunday morning with breakfast at The Inn before the classmates said their goodbyes.

Alumni from the ONU Law class of 1990 returned to ONU’s campus over the weekend of Oct. 16-17, 2010, for a 20-year reunion. On Saturday, the alumni had the chance to view the new additions to the University and the Tilton Hall of Law during an open house and tour guided by students and faculty. Later that afternoon, the alumni watched ONU’s home football game against Baldwin-Wallace. The evening closed with a reception, dinner and cocktail hour at The Inn, where the class of 1990 had a chance to reconnect. Dean David C. Crago delivered remarks during the dinner. Sunday’s events included breakfast at The Inn and golf at the Colonial Golfer’s Club in Lima, Ohio. Each class member at the reunion was encouraged to submit a narrative describing highlights from his or her personal and professional lives during the last 20 years to be included in the reunion memory book. Each alumnus who contributed to the Reunion Gift Campaign received a book.

Reunions

Class of 1975

Class of 1990

Paul McKinley, JD ’75 Daniel Myers, JD ’75 Dennis Paul, JD ’75 William Peelle, JD ’75 Thomas Sartini, JD ’75 Karl Schedler, JD ’75 Earl Schory, JD ’75 Stephen Shaw, JD ’75 Vern Steffel, JD ’75 James Tesno, JD ’75 Thomas Townley, JD ’75 Leander Zwick, JD ’75

Alumni from the Law Class of 1975:

Frederic Antoun, JD ’75 Gary Barringer, JD ’75 Larry Boord, BSBA ’71, JD ’75 David Bruns, JD ’75 Roger Caswell, JD ’75 William Cramer, JD ’75 Thomas Cranmer, JD ’75 I. Carson Crow, JD ’75 Wilfrid Dues, JD ’75 John Ferris, JD ’75 Roderick Frisk, JD ’75 Christopher Gullen, JD ’75 John Hadacek, JD ’75

Donald Harker, JD ’75 Dennis Hogan, JD ’75 Jeffrey Ingraham, JD ’75 Jerry Johnson, BSEd ’71, JD ’75 Richard Kahn, JD ’75 Thomas Keenan, JD ’75 George Koury, JD ’75 William Lauber, JD ’75 Andrew Lyons, JD ’75 Robert MacDonald, JD ’75 Frank Macke, JD ’75 Thomas Martin, JD ’75

Pictured: (not in photo order) Professors Albert Baillis, ACIT ’82, and George Vaubel, LLB ’54, BA ’63, ACIT ’85

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The Law Alumni Board spring 2010 meeting took place at the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., on Sunday, April 11. The meeting was in conjunction with the ONU Law spring alumni event at the Greenbrier Hotel. There was a private tour of the Bunker followed by a reception on Friday evening and an alumni reception and dinner on Saturday evening. The board met on Sunday to discuss the current job market for the law students and graduates and how the board can play a significant role in assisting the law school in networking with the students in order to help identify job opportunities. The board was given the charge to contact ONU Law alumni in their city, as well as their classmates, to identify job opportunities and relay that information to the Law Career Services Office. In addition, the board committed to funding a scholarship to be given to two law students who will be working in summer 2011 on a volunteer basis.

The Law Alumni Board met twice in the 2010-11 academic year. The fall meeting took place on Friday, Oct. 1, in the afternoon and reconvened on the morning of Oct. 2, in Ada with 11 board members present. Dean David C. Crago addressed the board concerning his role as dean and vice president of academic affairs this year, and his plans for the near future. The main topic of discussion was the current job market for law students and attorneys and how the board could help with the job placement of students. During this meeting, Susan Wetzel, JD ’97, was introduced as the newest board member. Prior to the afternoon meeting on Friday, the alumni board presented a panel discussion to the law students discussing their areas of practice and the current economic and job

market situation. After the panel discussion, the board members participated in a “Law Career Day” where students mixed and mingled with the board members throughout the building and personally discussed job possibilities in their areas.

In the spring, the meeting was held in conjunction with the Law Alumni Spring Event at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C. The meeting was held on Saturday, March 26, 2011, with 11 board members present. Crago presented a written report to the board titled “ONU Updates, Reports and Developments.” The report focused on national trends in legal education and compared those national trends to what ONU was doing to address those trends in Admissions, Career Services, the curriculum and the U.S. News & World Report of 2012. The dean also spoke on how the board can help with these issues facing legal education. The board also voted to continue contributing to the Law Alumni Summer Fellowship Program that they had established in spring 2010. During the spring meeting, two new board members, Peter Campia, JD ’98, and Jeffrey S. Snell, JD ’07, were introduced and accepted to the board.

2011 LAW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORSOFFICERS

PRESIDENT Robert S. Ryan, JD ’79 Lexington, Ky.

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Jerome L. Skinner, JD ’79 Cincinnati, Ohio

SECRETARY Suzanne (Fay) Garwood, JD ’97 Washington, D.C.

TREASURER Honorable Benjamin H. Logan, JD ’72 Grand Rapids, Mich.

DIRECTORS Gregory S. Berman, JD ’93 Louisville, Kentucky

Peter A. Campia, JD ’98 Osterville, Mass.

John M. Cotner, JD ’70 Troy, Ohio

Mitchell Falber, JD ’80 New York, N.Y.

John H. Genovese, JD ’79 Miami, Fla.

W. Michael Gradisek, JD ’93 Philadelphia, Pa.

Johnnie L. Johnson III, JD ’70 Memphis, Tenn.

Justin F. Madden, JD ’93 Cleveland, Ohio

Victoria U. Maisch Rumer, JD ’94 Lima, Ohio

Honorable Mark L. Pietrykowski, JD ’79 Toledo, Ohio

Grey D. Pratt, JD ’93 Pittsburgh, Pa.

Jessica E. Price Smith, JD ’97 Cleveland, Ohio

James W. Pry, JD ’70 Bucyrus, Ohio

Jeffrey S. Snell, JD ’07 Chicago, Ill.

Susan A. Wetzel, JD ’97 Dallas, Texas

Philip R. Wiese, JD ’96 Akron, Ohio

2010-11 Law Alumni Board ReportBy Cheryl A. Kitchen, director of law alumni and career services

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ONU Law lost a close friend this year. Brian Hayes, JD ’63, was one of the founding members of the Law Alumni Board, on which he served from its start in 1988 to 2007. Hayes practiced law

in Monticello, Fla., and had served as city attorney. He was active in the Kiwanis Club and the Jefferson County Bar Association and served as president of both. He also served on the Boards of Directors for Capital City Bank and Jefferson County Country Club. Our sincerest sympathies are extended to Hayes’ wife, Paula, his son and three daughters.

Founding Member of the Alumni Board Passes

Susan A. Wetzel Peter CampiaJeffery S. Snell

The Pettit College of Law welcomed three new law alumni board members during 2010-11. Susan A. Wetzel, JD ’97, joined the board during its fall meeting in Ada. She is chair of the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice group at Haynes and Boone LLP in Dallas, Texas, and specializes in the areas of executive compensation, health and welfare plans, retirement plans, and health law.

Jeffery S. Snell, JD ’07, joined the Law Alumni Board during its spring meeting at the Biltmore. Snell is currently a trial attorney in Chicago, Ill., for the United States Department of Justice, where he focuses on bankruptcy crimes. Also joining at the spring meeting was Peter Campia, JD ’98. Campia resides in Massachusetts and practices all phases of estate planning, elder law and tax planning.

Law Alumni Board Welcomes New Members

George Vaubel was a law scholar and an excellent teacher. His main area of interest was municipal corporations. He wrote numerous articles on home rule, and he was recognized as one of the very leading authorities on home rule.

George was a person of real integrity. Integrity is derived from “integer,” which means one. Regardless of what the subject that was being discussed, whether it be law, baseball, politics or anything else, George was guided by the principle of saying only what you honestly believe, not by what might make you popular. There was no doubt about it: George was his own man.

One of the happiest memories for me of George is the time when Gene Hanson took me for a ride and invited George, the law professor, and Claire, the law student. The three of us sat in the rear seat – George and me at either end and Claire in the middle. At the time, there was speculation that George and Claire were in love. About 10 minutes into the ride, I had one-half of the back seat all to myself. No words can express how pleased Gene Hanson and I were to learn that what had been speculated about this wonderful young couple was true.

As I learned over the years, George was a very compassionate person. One example was his treatment of animals. He provided food and shelter for the many animals that came on his premises. If any of these animals, especially cats, needed medical attention, George would take them to a veterinarian and pay for the expenses out of his own pocket.

George David Vaubel suffered a severe brain injury some time ago. He lost his battle for survival on Jan. 31, 2011. My little biddy-buddy was 79 years old.

— Al Baillis, ACIT ’82, professor of law emeritus

In June 1958, Law Dean Eugene Hanson told me that George had just signed a contract to teach law at Ohio Northern University. That knowledge helped me decide to also sign a contract. I knew that George would be a stimulating colleague as well as an excellent teacher.

Loyalty to his hometown, Wapakoneta, Ohio, was among George’s many fine characteristics. He was understandably proud of Neil Armstrong and the Moon Museum. Since I had been involved in highway condemnation work in helping build the new I-75 around Wapakoneta, he would occasionally scold me for taking “valuable” Auglaize County land. I was merely a “Highway Robber.” Of course, his beautiful wedding with Claire had to be in a Wapak church.

Law faculty are encouraged to become acquainted with our students. Claire Morris, a diligent student, became a fine wife for George, who easily won the gold medal.

A Michigan football fan, George admitted that when Bo upset Woody in 1969, he became so excited that he had some difficulty driving his car.

A remarkable person, George Vaubel will be sorely missed by his many friends.

— Dan Guy, JD ’52, ACIT ’85, Hon. D. ’05, professor of law emeritus

Professor George D. Vaubel, LLB ’54, BA ’63, ACIT ’85 March 26, 1931 – Jan. 31, 2011

In Memory

Remembering George D. Vaubel

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2011 Ohio Super Lawyers

Jeffrey A. Welbaum, JD ’77, was named chief of the Criminal Justice Section in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Selected by Attorney General R. Michael DeWine, JD ’72, ACIT ’85, Hon. D. ’95, Welbaum will oversee capital crimes, non-capital habeas corpus, special prosecutions and corrections litigation. He began

his career as assistant Miami County (Ohio) prosecuting attorney and served as assistant public defender for two years before becoming Miami County prosecuting attorney from 1985-94. He also served as a special assistant United States attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice from 1990-93.

Stuart Tobin, JD ’69 Bankruptcy and Creditor/ Debtor Rights

Neil F. Freund, JD ’70 Business Litigation

Kimberly Kay Wyss, JD ’93 Civil Litigation Defense

Lauren E. Knoll, JD ’98 Employment Litigation: Plaintiff

Douglas B. Dougherty, JD ’80 Family Law

Bradley B. Wrightsel, JD ’93 Estate Planning & Probate

A joint project between Law & Politics and the publishers of Cincinnati Magazine, Ohio Super Lawyers includes the best state attorneys across numerous practice areas. Attorneys on the list have been selected through a detailed research process that evaluates each candidate based on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Ultimately, the list includes just 5 percent of all attorneys in Ohio. Several of our distinguished alumni have made this list.

James G. Mannos, JD ’77 Family Law

John D. Zoller, JD ’86 Family Law

Lynnette Dinkler, JD ’95 Government/Cities/Municipalities

Stephen M. McHugh, JD ’78 Government/Cities/Municipalities

Randall J. Moore, JD ’84 Personal Injury Defense: Products

Patrick W. Allen, JD ’65 Personal Injury Plaintiff: General

Justin F. Madden, JD ’93 Personal Injury Plaintiff: General

Welbaum Named Chief in Attorney General’s Office

Alumni Recognized With Statewide Awards

Mark W. Napier, JD ’78 Personal Injury Plaintiff: General

Scott E. Smith, JD ’82 Personal Injury Plaintiff: General

Warner M. Thomas Jr., JD ’78 Personal Injury Plaintiff: General

Antonios P. Tsarouhas, JD ’94 Personal Injury Plaintiff: General

Daniel R. Volkema, JD ’79 Professional Liability: Plaintiff

Thomas D. Robenalt, JD ’91 Personal Injury Plaintiff: Medical Malpractice

Hans Scherner, JD ’79 Personal Injury Plaintiff: Medical Malpractice

Kimon P. Karas, JD ’78 Tax

Kelly L. Badnell, JD ’94 Worker’s Compensation

Douglas E. Spiker, JD ’86 Workers’ Compensation

John Tarkowsky, JD ’78 Workers’ Compensation

Top 10 and Top 100 list: Neil F. Freund, JD ’70

The Ohio State Bar Foundation presented the prestigious Ritter Award to Hon. Richard Warren, JD ’66, ACIT, ’03, ACIT ’09, judge of the Allen County Common Pleas Court in Lima, Ohio. The Ritter Award is presented to someone who has shown significant contributions to Ohio’s justice system. Warren was recognized for co-founding the W.O.R.T.H. Center for non-violent offenders, creating the

Allen County Re-Entry Court Program for High Risk Felony Offenders leaving prison, and the Allen County Sex Offender Risk Reduction Court Program – the first program in Ohio to target, supervise and provide ongoing treatment for sex offenders released from prison.

Kalpana Yalamanchili, JD ’83, was awarded the Ohio State Bar Association’s Nettie Cronise Lutes Award. This award, named for the first woman to practice law in Ohio, recognizes a woman in the

legal profession who has “improved the legal profession through their own high level of professionalism and who has opened doors for other women and girls.” Yalamanchili, of Hilliard, Ohio, was recognized for her tireless efforts as an advocate for the case of justice, for the role of attorneys and for equal opportunity. She serves as a member of the OSBA’s executive staff as director of committee section services and special projects in Columbus, Ohio.

Hon. Philip Alan B. Mayer, JD ’76, recently completed a two-year term as president of the Ohio Association of Probate Judges. Mayer has been a probate division judge in Richland County, Ohio, since 2003.

Mayer Serves as President of Ohio Association of Probate Judges

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A project of Law & Politics and the publishers of Cincinnati Magazine, Ohio Super Lawyers voted for the best state attorneys across numerous practice areas who are either 40 years old or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. The list represents the top 2.5 percent of licensed attorneys in the state who met the aforementioned criteria. The following ONU Law alumni were included:

2011 Super Lawyers – Ohio Rising Stars

Nicole Lundrigan, JD ’02 Business Litigation

Scott M. Zurakowski, JD ’97 Employment Litigation: Defense

Mark D. Wagoner Jr., BSEd ’65, JD ’68 Franchise/Dealership

Heather M. Barnes, JD ’99 Intellectual Property

Jeffrey R. Wahl, BA ’98, JD ’02 Mergers and Acquisitions

Colin P. Sammon, JD ’02 Professional Liability: Defense

Congratulations to Edward Canterbury, JD ’05, who was named one of Florida’s 2011 Rising Stars. Canterbury practices real estate law with Henderson Franklin in Fort Myers, Fla.

Congratulations to Laird A. Lile, JD ’84, who was entered into Florida Trend’s Legal Elite Hall of Fame. Lile is a wills, trusts and estates attorney in Naples, Fla.

Congratulations to J.D. Keister, JD ’02, who was named one of North Carolina’s top up-and-coming attorneys by North Carolina Super Lawyers Magazine as a Rising Star for 2009. Keister is an attorney at McAngus Goudelock & Courie‘s Charlotte office.

Other Super Lawyers Recognized

The Alumni Moot Court Room was a hub of activity over the summer as construction crews worked to renovate the room, originally designed as a court room, into a more functional space for both classes and moot court. Due to the generosity of the classes of 2008 and 2010, combined with bequests from the White and Walinski families, as well as a donation from the Ohio State Bar Association Litigation Section, a number of enhancements were made to

improve the space. The Alumni Moot Court Room is a trial court room that seats nearly 30 students and is used for classes and moot court competitions. The renovation added technology in the court room, including a high-tech podium with automated controls for the computer, document camera, DVD/VCR and 60-inch LCD monitor. The room also was expanded with new tables, which are wired for laptops, new seating and a wireless access port. The donors’

commitment to improving the room and providing state-of-the-art technology for future students is greatly appreciated. Future improvements will include cameras that can record students in their mock court room activities such as trial advocacy and moot court.

Renovation of the Alumni Moot Court Room

The ONU Law class of 2010 raised more than $17,880 in their class gift campaign to support renovations and technology upgrades to the Alumni Moot Court Room.

Class Gift Tradition Continues

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New Ohio attorneys were sworn in during special public sessions of the Supreme Court on Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, and Monday, May 9, 2011, at the Ohio Theater in Columbus. Ohio Supreme Court Justices Robert R. Cupp, ACIT ’71, BA ’73, JD ’76, Hon. D. ’11, and Terrence O’Donnell congratulated graduates at the ONU Law reception prior to the swearing-in ceremony.

The legacy of William J. Brown, JD ’67, Hon. D. ’80, continues to be recognized with the annual naming of one incoming student as the William J. Brown Scholar. Each year, one incoming

ONU Law student is selected as a Brown Scholar and receives a scholarship, an internship with the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, D.C., and a summer stipend. Brown was the youngest man elected to the position of Ohio Attorney General and the longest to serve in office (1971-83).

Last year’s Brown Scholar, Gregory Lalla, L-2, spent his summer working on a monthly bankruptcy law publication as well as a project doing preliminary research tying state intellectual property crimes to state RICO statutes. The most interesting thing to Lalla was trying to connect those intellectual property crimes to RICO statutes, because RICO statutes were originally enacted for organized crime. However, they now apply to crimes such as CD bootlegging, making counterfeit T-shirts, etc., which were not around when the statutes were enacted.

Lalla is grateful for being named the William J. Brown Scholar as it provided Lalla with an experience working in D.C. that he otherwise most likely would have never received. A native of Iowa, Lalla plans to return there following graduation in 2012.

Lalla joined a distinguished group of Brown Scholars, which includes Michael Michetti, JD ’06, Erica (Erb) Preston, BA ’03, JD ’07, Molly (Blake) Katen, JD ’08, Andromeda McGregor, JD ’09, and Joy Miller, JD ’10.

The William J. Brown Memorial Scholarship Honors Legacy

One of the largest events held at ONU Law last year was the fifth annual Polar Bear Mock Trial Invitational, hosted by the ONU mock trial program under the leadership of Dr. JoAnn Scott. Twenty-seven schools from across the country fielded teams in this year’s competition. This year’s case dealt with an issue regarding poisonous chemicals that were found in jewelry beads, which allegedly caused the death of a young boy who swallowed them. The teams were scored on their preparation and knowledge of the case as well as their litigation techniques. Participating schools included Central Florida, Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Loyola, Ohio Northern University, Michigan State, Case Western, Northwood, Central Florida and Drexel.

ONU Law Hosts Polar Bear Invitational Mock Trial

The 2010-11 Hanson Fellows were announced at the College of Law donor dinner on Oct. 8, 2010. Named in honor of former dean Eugene N. Hanson, Hon. D. ’86, the fellows program provides financial assistance to law students who are not receiving any other forms of institutional aid. Students are selected based on an application process, which includes submitting an application, resume, transcript and statement of financial need. The 2010-11 Hanson Fellows were third-year students Stephanie Swiger, Ian Weber, Shane McClelland, and Ryan Beuoy. This was the second year for the Hanson Fellows program.

Stephanie Swiger, L-3, Ian Weber, L-3, Shane McClelland, L-3.

Hanson Fellows Named

Rhett W. Burgess, JD ’79, his wife, Carol, and his mother, Millicent, were on hand at the College of Law donor dinner on Oct. 8, 2010, to recognize the first recipient of the William James and Millicent Marie Burgess Scholarship. Established in 2009, the Burgess scholarship is in honor of Burgess’ father’s service in the Army Airborne during World War II and provides financial assistance to military veterans or the children of military veterans enrolled in the College of Law, with a special emphasis on recipients with Airborne connections. Ian Seth Martin, L-3, was selected as the 2010 recipient of the Burgess scholarship.

Inaugural Burgess Scholarship Awarded

Dean David C. Crago, Millicent Burgess, Rhett Burgess, JD ’79, Carol Burgess and Ian Seth Martin, L-3.

Volume 5 Issue 1 | Fall 2011 | 9

LAMBDA Law Students’ AssociationONU Law’s LAMBDA Law Students’ Association hosted a lecture by Denise St. Clair, executive director of the National Center for Adoption Law and Policy at Capital University Law School, on the topic of same sex adoption. St. Clair spoke on several issues concerning adoptions by same sex couples: the myths, national snapshots of the law, Ohio

laws and the court’s opinion on the matter. She also touched on the issues that arise for LGBT foster and adopted children.

Articles submitted by each organization.

This summer, the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board (EHB)

presented a great opportunity for ONU Law student Matthew Sniscak, L-2. Through working with the EHB, Sniscak sat through hearings, performed legal research and writing, and gained valuable practice working in a new environment. Sniscak gained knowledge of various aspects of environmental law through different readings and discussions. He learned that there are many different areas of law that overlap with environmental law. Environmental law is a constantly developing field that covers many different sciences, and there are areas of it that are continually expanding. Through a lot of practice, Sniscak was able to strengthen his writing and research skills and was able to determine that he would potentially enjoy pursuing a career in environmental law. He also developed stronger communication skills and was able to feel comfortable in his surroundings.

“A great thing about working at the Board was the team-oriented atmosphere. Teamwork is so important in law because it can help lessen the load of some of the big projects that the judges and assistant counsel have on their docket. I feel that, after working at the EHB, I made their work lives just a little bit easier, and there is some satisfaction that comes from that. In sum, I believe my experience working at the Board was a great look into what it takes to work in a government agency in Pennsylvania, and I hope to use this experience to aid my future career as an attorney.”

Summer Experience Leads to Personal

Growth

LAW STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Christian Legal Society The Christian Legal Society’s focus is on building a Christian community within the law school and to provide a safe place for students to discover their purpose and calling in life. CLS also focuses on helping students navigate the waters of law school. Over the past year, CLS held bi-weekly co-ed Bible studies in order to study God’s word, pray together, gain fellowship and worship Jesus. They traveled to Suter’s Corn Maze in Pandora, Ohio, in the fall as a group and savored some of their famous apple cider. In the spring, CLS sponsored a talk on pro bono work and opportunities to serve within the legal profession. CLS also traveled to Grace Church in Lima, Ohio, to partake in a communal Christian Seder dinner celebrating the history and symbolism of the Jewish Passover.

The Christian Legal Society sponsored a presentation by two professionals, each with diverse backgrounds in community involvement, to discuss “Poverty Law and Public Interest in Today’s Legal Profession” in February.

Will Shearer is a pastor at Vineyard Columbus in Westerville, Ohio, as well as the

executive director, treasurer and board member of Vineyard Community Center. In these capacities, Shearer is responsible for all aspects of Vineyard Community Center’s business, with particular attention paid to external communications, partnerships and collaborations. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Clemson University and graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law. He also is a former partner at the national firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP.

Drew H. Campbell is the co-founder and lead attorney on staff at the Vineyard Free

Legal Clinic as well as partner and chair of the litigation practice group at Bricker & Eckler in Columbus, Ohio. In the 20 years since he earned his J.D. from the Ohio State University School of Law, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Ohio State Law Journal, Campbell has become a highly distinguished attorney in his field. He was listed in Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation in 2011 and in Super Lawyers Premier Corporate Counsel Edition in 2008.

Public Interest Lecture

Adrienne Rines, L-3, studied corporate governance and entertainment law at the University of Hawaii during the summers between her second and third years of law school. A former producer educated her on the film industry, and her corporate governance research focused on fiduciary duty. She spent her spare time on the island of Oahu learning how to surf, going on hikes and visiting sites such as Pearl Harbor. She really misses eating fresh ahi tuna and shaved ice, two favorite culinary delights she had discovered on her excursion.

Student Studies in Hawaii

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The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) had a very dynamic year. Its 12th annual Diversity Forum, “Being a Rainmaker Determines Your Fate, So Make It Rain or Clear It Out,” featured two ONU Law alumni. The first featured guest was Alvin E. Matthews Jr., JD ’87, a member of Bricker and Eckler’s litigation group in Columbus, Ohio. Matthews focuses on avoiding ethical risks by counseling lawyers on how to take preventative measures in order to ensure proper ethical techniques. He has plenty of professional responsibility experience, which he has gained through litigating several discipline matters. The second speaker was Sheria Holmes, JD ’09, a contract attorney at Memphis Area Legal Services in Tennessee. Holmes was very active in the ONU Law community while she was on campus and has spent her more recent years finding ways to keep herself active in the law community. She has concentrated on administrative law, probate law and family law.

BLSA also participated in Red Ribbon Week by handing out candy and information about drug prevention. Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, people pledge to live a drug-free life. This subject

really hits home to ONU Law students because research establishes that lawyers are at a greater risk for alcohol and drug problems than the general population and that law students tend to increase their use of alcohol and drugs during their law school careers.

BLSA also started a new project in 2010-11: its Mentor Program. This program allowed law students to work with undergraduate students in order to encourage graduate school studies after life at Ohio Northern University. The classes that the project provided ranged from talking about networking, dress and etiquette to applications and interviewing skills. Each undergraduate student also was paired with a law student in order to provide the undergraduate student with experienced connections.

Legal Association of WomenOn Friday, April 8, 2011, the Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law chapter of the Legal Association of Women hosted a continuing legal education addressing the topic “Navigating Gender Issues in the Workplace.” The CLE was followed by an unveiling of a portrait of the first female graduate from Ohio Northern Law, Lena Boggess Wilcox Mason, JD 1896. The portrait was painted by her great-granddaughter, Sandy Lampman-Byers, PSA, of Seattle, Wash., who presented the portrait and dedicated it to her great-grandmother’s alma mater.

The CLE offered perspectives from a number of female lawyers. Valoria Hoover, 2010-11 president of the Ohio Women’s Bar Association and mother of one daughter, discussed gender fairness studies and presented statistics with a historical look at the rise of women in law schools and the legal field. Karen Elliott, JD ’83, magistrate in the Hancock County Court of Common Pleas and adjunct professor of legal research and writing at Ohio Northern, presented a historical look at women in the law and spoke about the changing environment of the legal field. Christie (Haniford) Ranzau, JD ’02, partner at Drake Phillips Kuenzli and Clark in Findlay, Ohio, and mother of two daughters, spoke about “The Firm and the Family” and discussed the changing roles of women in smaller to medium firms, the hiring process, and living both the firm and family life. Brandie (Hawkins) Swickrath, JD ’02, a mother of two sets of twins, runs a virtual office from her home in Lima, Ohio, and discussed the benefits of law office technology and how a working mother can use that to her advantage. Swickrath is currently a magistrate in Allen County.

Street LawONU’s Street Law program, now in its 19th year, continues the tradition of educating high school students in the general aspects of law. On April 15, 2011, Street Law hosted a mock trial competition for four local high schools. The schools that participated

were Ada, Kenton, Lima Christian Academy and Upper Scioto Valley. Students from each of these schools were taught basic elements of trials and the general concepts that are pertinent to law by ONU Law students who visited their classrooms throughout the spring semester. The case at the heart of the mock trial tournament was State of New Columbia v. Chris Archer, where the defendant was the president of a fraternity and was being charged with first-degree murder and criminal hazing. The participating high school students were required to have an opening statement, present their argument and present a closing statement. Student attorneys also examined witnesses. The students were scored in all of these categories as well as their overall professionalism.

Black Law Students Association

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Phi Beta DeltaTwo law of war experts went head to head on April 6 regarding “Civil Liberties, National Security Policy, and Targeted Killing in the War on Terror: Change Versus Continuity

from Bush to Obama.” Michael W. Lewis, ONU associate professor of law, served in the United States Navy from 1987-95. Lewis received his law degree from Harvard Law School and now teaches international law classes and a law of war seminar at ONU. He has testified in front of Congress and written several pieces regarding drone strikes, the law of war and the war on terror. Ben Wizner, litigation director of the ACLU’s National Security Project, has significant experience with post-Sept. 11 civil liberties violations as well as other unlawful governmental actions concerning airport security policies and using lethal force against U.S. citizens without due process of law.

Environmental Law Society2010-11 was a busy year for the Environmental Law Society (ELS) as the group sponsored a debate on climate change, adopted a local highway and hosted an Earth Day event. ELS seeks to promote awareness within the University community and the local region about the wise use and proper management of the natural environment. The debate, co-sponsored with the ONU Law Federalist Society, focused on the extent to which the government should be involved with the issue of climate change and featured speakers professor George Gonzalez

from the University of Miami (Florida) and professor John Kunich, the Fulbright Senior Specialist at the Indian Law Institute in New Delhi, India.

ELS continued the tradition of participating in the “Adopt A Highway” project and cleaned its two-mile stretch along state Route 81 once each semester. ELS members enjoy participating in the “Adopt A Highway” project because it is a good way to show people that anyone can have a positive impact on the environment. They invite and encourage everyone to participate in this wonderful community service event.

The Environmental Law Society also held an Earth Day event on April 19, 2011. Tara Santarelli, JD ’08, from the Environmental Law and Policy Center, Columbus, Ohio, spoke about the impact that mining and gas drilling have on the environment.

From left: Amanda Chaplin, L-3, Abigail Hefflinger, L-2, and L-2, Emily Dicke, pose in front of the “Adopt A Highway” sign after a tough day of cleanup.

Federalist SocietyThis year, the Ohio Northern University Federalist Society continued to bring prominent national speakers to campus and foster healthy debate on campus. The group’s first lecture featured professor Patrick Garry, from the University of South Dakota School of Law, with a presentation on “Federalism

Since the New Deal.” The first of two debates held this year featured Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law professor Scott Gerber and professor Sanford Levinson of the University of Texas Law School debating “The Constitutionality of Health Care Reform.” This debate was well received by the ONU Law student body, with a crowd of more than 100 people in the Celebrezze Moot Court Room. The second debate was co-sponsored with the Environmental Law Society and featured professor John Kunich from the Indian Law Institute and professor George Gonzalez from the University of Miami discussing “The Future of Environmental Regulation.”

Sanford Levinson

The L-2 Girls team posed for a team picture following their first round win against the L-1 Section 2 Girls team.

L-2 Patrick Brutus, (center) attempts to leap past Nathaniel Holloway, L-3, (left) and L-3 Geoffrey Lawson, (right) in the first-round game between L-2 Boys and L-3 Boys teams.

Megan Tyler, L-1, (right) makes a catch while Adrienne Rines, L-3, (far left), Hope Smalls, L-1, (left) and Samantha Phillips, L-3, (left center) give chase in the first-round matchup between L-1 Section 1 Girls and L-3 Girls teams.

Phi Alpha Delta Flag FootballOn Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, Phi Alpha Delta hosted the annual Flag Football Tournament at Ada Memorial Field. On a picture-perfect fall day, girls’ and guys’ teams battled fierce competition to claim athletic domination. This year’s title went to both the L-3 Girls and Guys teams. More than 150 students attended and participated in the event, which raised $200, plus boxes full of contributed canned goods, for the Ada Food Bank.

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IN THIS ISSUE

• 1975 and 1990 Class Reunions

• 2010-11 Law Alumni Board Report

• Professor George D. Vaubel Remembered

• Law Student Organizations

• Alumni Recognized

• 2011 Ohio Super Lawyers

• Alumni Moot Court Room Renovated

A Year in Review

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Volume 5 Issue 1 | Fall 2011

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