Dec. 28, 2011
Supreme Court Makes Appointments to Boards, Commissions
The Supreme Court of Ohio has appointed several individuals to serve on boards and commissions to help meet its constitutional and statutory authority to regulate the practice of law and exercise general superintendence over all courts in the state.
Boards are formed to exercise quasi-judicial authority or decision-making authority on behalf of the Court. Commissions are formed to exercise quasi-ministerial authority on behalf of the Court.
Boards and commissions are created by action of the Court and operate under rules or regulations adopted by the Court. Members serve by appointment of the Chief Justice and Justices or by virtue of holding a position within or upon nomination of a group, organization, or association. Boards and commissions are composed of judges, attorneys, clerks of court, other court personnel, and private citizens from throughout Ohio.
Unless otherwise indicated, all terms begin Jan. 1, 2012, for the following appointees and the board or commission on which they will serve:
- Ninth District Appeals Court Judge Clair E. Dickinson, attorneys Anne Marie Sferra of Columbus and James L. McCrystal Jr. of Cleveland and Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Professor Christopher M. Fairman were appointed to the Commission on the Rules of Practice & Procedure for three-year terms. The Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure reviews all rules governing practice and procedure in the courts of Ohio.
- Judge Dickinson was reappointed and Licking County Domestic Relations Court Judge Craig R. Baldwin and Franklin County Probate Court Judge Robert G. Montgomery were appointed to the Commission on the Rules of Superintendence for three-year terms. The Commission on the Rules of Superintendence assists the Supreme Court in exercising its general powers of superintendence over the courts of Ohio granted by the constitution by making recommendations to the Supreme Court on the adoption of new superintendence rules and amendments.
- Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge John O’Donnell and Dr. John R. Carle, DDS, of Sylvania were reappointed to the Commission on Professionalism for three-year terms. The Commission on Professionalism promotes professionalism among attorneys admitted to practice law in Ohio, devoting its attention to the law as a profession and to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and honor among members of the profession.
- Lucas County Juvenile Court Judge Connie F. Zemmelman, Lakewood Municipal Court Judge Patrick Carroll, attorney Elisa Frosini Branham of Circleville and non-attorney member Barbara B. Lewis of Westerville were appointed to the Commission on Continuing Legal Education for three-year terms. The Commission on Continuing Legal Education administers the continuing legal education requirements imposed on attorneys and judges and accredits programs and activities that satisfy Ohio’s mandatory CLE requirements.
- University of Dayton School of Law Associate Professor Julie E. Zink was appointed to the Commission on Certification of Attorneys as Specialists to complete an unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2012. Eleventh District Appeals Court Judge Timothy P. Cannon, University of Cincinnati College of Law Associate Professor Stephanie Hunter McMahon and attorneys Alan M. Petrov of Cleveland, Kathleen Maher Zouhary of Toledo and Kenneth R. Cookson of Columbus were appointed to three-year terms. The Commission on Certification of Attorneys as Specialists approves and regulates agencies that certify lawyers practicing in Ohio as specialists.
- Attorneys J. Patrick Apel of Portsmouth, Oliver J. Dunford of Cleveland and Suzanne K. Richards of Columbus were appointed to the Board of Commissioners on Character & Fitness for three-year terms. The Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness is responsible for ensuring that each applicant for admission to the practice of law possesses the requisite character, fitness, and moral qualifications for admission.
- Retired Judge Thomas F. Bryant of Findlay and attorneys Ed Kozelek of Worthington and Lisa Weekley Coulter of Westerville were appointed to the Board of Bar Examiners for five-year terms beginning April 1, 2012. The Board of Bar Examiners is responsible for developing, administering, and grading the Ohio bar examination.
- Eighth District Appeals Court Judge Larry A. Jones, Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Julie M. Lynch, Medina County Juvenile Court Judge John J. Lohn, Morgan County Common Pleas Court Judge Dan W. Favreau, Canton Municipal Court Clerk Phil Giavasis, Medina Municipal Court Magistrate Charles Lawrie, Union County Prosecutor David Phillips and Geauga County Common Pleas Court IT Systems Administrator W. James Walsh were appointed to the Commission on Technology and the Courts for three-year terms. Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Gregory A. Brush was appointed to complete an unexpired term ending Dec. 13, 2013. The Commission on Technology and the Courts advises the Supreme Court on statewide technology issues.
- Athens County Common Pleas Judge Michael W. Ward was reappointed and Lakewood Municipal Court Judge Patrick Carroll was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Judicial College for three-year terms. The Board of Trustees of the Judicial College provides advice to and serves as the oversight body to the Judicial College, which offers educational programs and activities for Ohio judges, magistrates, and non-judicial court personnel.
- Fourth District Appeals Court Judge Matthew W. McFarland, attorneys John A. Polito of Cleveland, Keith A. Sommer of Martins Ferry and Janica Pierce Tucker of Columbus and non-attorney member Patrick L. Sink of Cleveland were appointed to the Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline for three-year terms. The Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline adjudicates ethical misconduct complaints lodged against Ohio attorneys and judges and issues findings and recommendations to the Court.
- Ohio Highway Patrol Staff Lt. Clifton L. Spinner and non-attorney member Sally W. Cuni of Cincinnati were appointed to the Board of Commissioners of the Clients’ Security Fund for their second three-year terms. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge John J. Russo was also appointed to a three-year term. The Board of Commissioners of the Clients’ Security Fund reviews claims for possible reimbursement filed by clients who have sustained losses as a result of the dishonest conduct of their attorney.
- Scott B. Potter of Worthington was appointed to the Board on the Unauthorized Practice of Law for a three-year term. The Board on the Unauthorized Practice of Law conducts hearings, preserves the record, and makes findings and recommendations to the Supreme Court in cases involving the alleged unauthorized practice of law.
- Neema M. Bell of Toledo and Richard H. Wallace of Sidney were appointed to the Commission on the Ohio Judicial Center for three-year terms. The Commission on the Ohio Judicial Center assists and advises the Supreme Court about the preservation of the artistic, architectural, and historic integrity and the public use of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.