Cleveland State University EngagedScholarship@CSU Law Notes Law Publications 2001 2001 Vol. 9 No. 1 Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Follow this and additional works at: https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/ lawpublications_lawnotes Part of the Law Commons How does access to this work benefit oy u? Let us know! Recommended Citation Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, "2001 Vol. 9 No. 1" (2001). Law Notes. 40. https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/lawpublications_lawnotes/40 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Publications at EngagedScholarship@CSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Law Notes by an authorized administrator of EngagedScholarship@CSU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Volume 9 • Issue 1 Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association ews N 0 T E S "A Voice Interpreted" by Omo Obatala Jose Santiago R illo 'Reporting :Servt 'Vin .oun@e the opemlilQ• o new ces in ., Akron, Ohio. Enjoy the same 1 custom services as our Cleveland office including: • Coor din ~ti on • Akron's Onlf In- • Depositi~n Suites • Real Preparation and Service ionwide Scheduling Absolute Accuracy. betermin~d Pro essiona l Services. Cleveland: Suite 2500 Erieview Plaza, Cleveland Ohio 44114 • Phone t 888.391.DEPO Akron: Suite 1950 One Cascade Plaza, Akron Ohia 44308 • Phone: 3 3,t-~4-1 313 •Fax: 330-374-9689 Dear Fellow Alumni, I imagined that serving as a President of our Alumni Association might be compared to serving as President of the United States (though I hold no misconceptions of my "power"). During a tenure with no real crises, the President typically steers a steady, non-tumultuous course. In positive economic times (our Association is financially strong), with no wars or conflicts to address (our relations with the Law School are strong and, presently, we have no real disputes with the University), and with a strong administration (we have an outstanding group of Alumni Board Members and supporters who through their efforts, allow us to serve Alumni as an affirmative and active organization), there is not a significant amount to do. It would appear to be easy to serve my one-year tenure and pass on the Presidency in June of this year. Though our organization internally is strong, there is a continuing civil (or should I say "uncivil") war going on in our profession. The lack of civility among our peers has reached such a point that, as I look back over the past twenty-five years of my practice, I am often dismayed by the way the practice of law has taken on a win-at-all-cost flavor. Accordingly, I am proposing that the Board of our Alumni Association join with me in the formation of a new Committee, which, for the lack of a better name at the present time, I will call the Committee of Professional Development. Possibly through our efforts as Alumni of Cleveland-Marshall, we can develop programs in which collegiality and integrity among our members are the starting points from which we can influence others. So many private practi­ tioners, find themselves in a position of having to win at all costs from an economic as well as emotional standpoint so that programs developed to strengthen our mutual commitment to ethical considerations, while simultaneously assisting our membership in the development of their practices, will further serve us and our profession. Our efforts may include continu­ ing programs on office automation, referrals among our members, a database of information that may be accessed, and possibly even a mentor program so that new practitioners as well as those in practice for a number of years, will be able to call upon our members much like our continuing Student Mentor Program by which we provide advice to law students. I was recently invited to speak on professionalism on behalf of the American Arbitration Association (use of alternative dispute resolution may be another area of focus for our organi­ zation). In order to avoid the appearance that I was in any way attempting to impose my thoughts on professionalism to the attendees, I elected to consult the Internet and came upon a wonderful article about a symposium held at the Stetson College of Law. One quota­ tion seemed particularly relevant. I paraphrase as follows: When was it that lawyers first became aware that there were problems with profes­ sionalism in their community? Was it when the clients began complaining of their extraordi­ nary fees related to the attorneys bickering about every point? Was it when the news media began to regularly attack lawyers, publishing unflattering articles? Or was it when the lawyers began complaining about each other? I often speak with attorneys who are approaching retirement. Their comments to me are generally the same: "I sure am glad I'm getting out of this business. It is not any fun any­ more. I extend to you my condolences." Many of us who have practiced for more than a few years and who have more than a few years remaining in this profession literally dread those comments of those older practi­ tioners. It is my personal belief that we have to take the bull by the horns. I commit myself and our Alumni organization to attempt to move in that direction. Of course, we will continue forward with our established, on-going services to our Alumni community and the legal community. By way of a partial report of our continuing activities, we expect to: 1. Establish an Alumni website with information about membership, activities, law school events, CLE programs and registration. Though our site is in its initial stages of develop- · ment, we anticipate our website will ultimately include additional features such as the abili­ ty to communicate directly with practitioners whose practices are concentrated in particular fields and to call upon Alumni for assistance or, possibly, seek referrals or co-counseling. Again, we are in the preliminary stages of development and, of course, would welcome any thoughts or comments you might have. 2. We will continue to serve the community by the presentation of CLE programs geared toward practical elements of practice. Please continue to look for our regularly mailed brochures announcing our excellent programs conducted in the spring and fall of each year. Might I add that we continue to receive high marks from the attendees on the quality and relevancy of our presentations? 3. We will continue forward with the expansion of our membership. Though each of you is a member by virtue of having graduated from Cleveland-Marshall, your annual commit­ ment of $50 (regular membership) is truly appreciated and benefits our organization. 4. We will expand upon our close work with the student body of Cleveland-Marshall through our Professional Opportunities Committee. Our mentoring program has proved successful in teaming up attorneys and law students, providing them with insight and advice as they plan for their legal careers. 5. We will continue to call upon our members to participate in the Alumni Association through committee membership. If you are interested in becoming a member of any of our committees, please let us know. Committee membership may lead to our Nominating Committee's recognition of your efforts and, possibly, ultimately to a seat on our Board of Trustees. We have accomplished much and can accomplish much more as we continue forward with our commitment to you and all other Alumni as well as the Northeastern Ohio legal community. I personally extend to you the opportunity to speak with me as to your involve­ ment in our Alumni Organization. Please feel free to contact me at my office, (216) 241-9990 or by email at [email protected]. :I Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association News-Spring 2001 On the cover: Omo Obatala Jose Santiago, our Latino cover artist, is representative of Cleveland's rich cultural and ethnic community. His N 0 T E S mural, located in the Student Services Center of the law school, CONTENTS depicts the history of the law school 3 through portraits of its earliest and Dean's Column most recent students and faculty. 7 The article, "Walls," beginning on CMLAA Honors Judge C. Ellen Connally page 26, identifies the persons pic­ and Judge Timothy E. McMonagle tured and the origin of the mural's 13 commission. Protecting Human Rights 14 CMLAA Honors Graduates of 14 Classes 17 Life Members 21 A Hero for These Times: Jane Picker 25 Bar Results Volume 9, Number 1 26 Spring 2001 Editor: Walls Mary McKenna Associate Editor: 30 Louise F. Mooney Housing Court Conference Graphic Design: Szilagyi Communication Design 32 Printer: Criminal Justice Forums Legal News Publishing Company Photo Credits: 33 Mary McKenna, Bill Rieter, Greg Hildebrandt, Nancy Hribar and Steve Zorc Let Us Now Praise Famous Women We hope you enjoy this new issue of Law Notes 39 and ask that you continue to contribute and respond to information in this and future issues Visiting Scholar Lecture: Alan]. Ryan of Law Notes. Special thanks to Leon M. Plevin 41 '57, Donald F. Traci '55, Susan L. Gragel '80, Daniel R. McCarthy '54 and Sheldon Sager for Community Advocacy Clinic their commitment in support of this publica­ 44 tion. Special thanks to Rosa M. DelVecchio for her assistance. Library Titles of Interest The CM LAA Board of Trustees is dedicated to serving the alumni, students, faculty and staff 45 of the College of Law. Hate Crimes Forum For comments and suggestions, please feel free to contact the Law Alumni Office 58 at 216-687-2368. Alumni Happenings Law Notes, issued by the Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association, 1801 Euclid Avenue, 67 Cleveland, Ohio 44115 Faculty and Staff Happenings Spring 2001 1 Cleveland-Marshall Law Membership Benet its 1.