TBA News Brief

The Toledo legal community is mourning the loss of an empathetic, fair and well-respected judge. Retired Judge Frederick H. McDonald passed away last Tuesday unexpectedly in his home. He had been active member of the Toledo Bar Association since 1970. 
 
There are so many nice things that can be said about Judge Fred McDonald. He was smart, good humored, and carried himself with extraordinary grace and dignity, and treated others, regardless of station, the same way. Toledo Bar Association President William Meyer recalls two separate conversations that he had with two separate judges about Fred. One was the late Hon. J. Ronald Bowman, and the other was the Hon. Jack Puffenberger of Probate Court. Both said essentially the same thing. When either of them had a question about law, legal procedure, or just an issue in their personal lives, they sought out the Honorable Fred McDonald for his unfailingly correct advice and counsel. “Fred was a judge's judge, which is the only way to describe the esteem he was held in by his colleagues on the bench, and in the bar,” William Meyer said. “He'll be greatly missed.”
 
Our condolences go out to the family, friends and community for the loss of the Honorable Frederick Hill McDonald. Read more on the kind remarks our community has on Judge McDonald here. 

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Judge James D. Jensen who served as president of the Toledo Bar Association from 1998 -1999.

Described as a caring man who never knew a stranger, Judge Jensen was an influence to both the Association and lawyers. His compassion and support of others demonstrates his strong leadership. During his term as president, Judge Jensen worked closely with the three vice presidents, the executive board and staff to put a long term vision in place and worked collaboratively to accomplish it. It was Judge Jensen who recognized the lack of diversity on the board and implemented a Diversity appointment made by the president after the board elections, this diversity board appointment is still practiced today. He strongly encouraged support in the Pro Bono Legal Services Program and also believed in providing resources and mentorship for attorneys just starting their careers.

Current TBA President, Bill Meyer spoke fondly of Judge Jensen stating that “he will be described with many accolades due to a life well lived. A "mensch" ,in German, is a person of integrity and honor. The opposite of mensch is a person who treats others cruelly and without compassion. Simply stated, Judge Jim Jensen was a mensch.” Below is a fond recollection of his long time support for the Food Basket program to benefit the Salvation Army (photographed in 1998).

Our condolences go out to his family and the many friends he made in our community. For Judge Jensen’s obituary, read here.

The Toledo Bar Association (TBA) Pro Bono Legal Services program was selected as one of three winners of the 2020 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Community Partnership Challenge. The contest is an opportunity to highlight nonmonetary, community partnerships between VHA and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that serve Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. This event enables the Dr. Richard A. Stone, Executive in Charge Veterans Health Administration, to recognize the extraordinary work accomplished through these partnerships.
 

This year’s contest theme is The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). Social determinants of health are conditions in the environments in which people live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.  Each submission to this year’s contest showed how a particular partnership benefits Veterans and advances VA’s mission by addressing one or more of six social determinants of health that were the focus for this year’s contest: education, employment, food security, housing, spiritual support, and/or transportation.  More than 40 entries were submitted this year!

In partnership with the VA Ann Arbor Medical Center’s Toledo Community Based Outpatient Clinic, the Toledo Bar Association has been providing free monthly walk-in clinics to help Veterans with legal issues that affect social determinants of health such as access to employment and safe housing. The clinic was developed by Michelle M. Tussing, TBA Director of Pro Bono Legal Services and Leslie Witherell, Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator of the Toledo Community Based Outpatient Clinic in 2015.

Since its inception, 895 Veterans have been served by a team of private practice lawyers, some of whom are Veterans themselves. The success of this program would not be possible without those attorneys who frequently volunteer their time and knowledge. Volunteers include Todd Noll, Cindy M. Kirby, Mike D. Kirby, David J. Borell, Nick P. Wainwright, Jim Jones, Laura M. Dettinger and University of Toledo College of Law students Amelia Wolf and Misty D. Goodrick. Three lawyers who attend the monthly clinics have obtained VA accreditation and are well-versed in benefits and surviving spouse benefits.  

The pro-bono attorneys work to prevent and remedy employment discrimination, secure service-connected educational benefits, and assist in securing unemployment compensation and/or unpaid wages. They also help Veterans with eviction notices, landlord-tenant issues, and bankruptcy, which has a direct effect on securing stable, safe housing for Veterans and their families. This partnership aims to release Veterans from legal burdens, which also aids in reducing the overall “stress of life” which, in turn, can also reduce suicidality. The free monthly clinics have saved Veterans more than $344,000 in legal services, in the form of routine specific needs or focus areas such as durable power of attorney.

The award will be received by Tussing and Witherell at a virtual ceremony on August 27, 2020.

The Toledo Bar Association is pleased to announce the launch of our brand-new website! Since launching on July 22, toledobar.org is looking better than ever. Our goal with this new design is to create a user-friendly browsing experience for all of our members. 

To get the most out of our new website, click here to set up your login. 

Once you have set up your new login, you will be able to access your personalized dashboard by clicking on the MyTBA button located on the top right corner of the website. There you will have access to the Online Member Directory, E-Communities, CLE Registration and many other member benefits. 

We encourage you to review and update your personal profile after creating your new login credentials. The professional information we have on file, including your photo, address and place of employment will be reflected in the printed edition of the 2021 TBA Legal Directory.  This information must be updated no later than September 15, 2020 and will be published in the printed directory unless otherwise noted.

The new website also includes email features which allows us to easily send email reminders and announcements. This means you may see emails from “@membercentral.com”. Please note these emails are coming from TBA staff members.

We hope you enjoy the new website and thank you for your continued support. 

Attorney William G. Meyer was sworn in as 120th President of the Toledo Bar Association for the 2020-2021 membership year on Monday, June 29, 2020.

Meyer primarily practices in the areas of immigration and nationality law at William G. Meyer Attorney at Law and is of-counsel at Spengler Nathanson, PLL. A native of New York, Meyer found himself studying law at the University of Toledo after serving in the Marine Corps. He then established his practice here after being admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1977.

Meyer took the oath of office from Justice Judith Ann Lanzinger, former Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Meyer formally assumed leadership duties for the Toledo Bar Association on July 1.

Other officers for 2020-2021 include:

1st Vice President, Hon. Myron C. Duhart, Lucas County Court of Common Pleas
2nd Vice President, Sarah K. Skow, Esq., Spengler Nathanson, PLL
Treasurer, Jeremiah P. O’Brien, Esq., LaValley, LaValley, Today & Schaefer Co., LPA
Secretary, Michael E. Bryant, Esq., solo practioner

A complete listing of the Toledo Bar Association Board of Directors follows.

Service Awards Presented to Paula Hicks-Hudson and Carasusana B. Wall

The Toledo Bar Association also presented the following awards to members during a virtual Annual Meeting held on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.
The Community Service Award was presented to Paula Hicks-Hudson for years of work in the community and more recently her service as “legal eagle” of the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers.

The recipient of the Trustees Award for outstanding service and involvement in the Toledo Bar Association and legal community is Carasusana B. Wall, partner at Zoll & Kranz, LLC.

The Toledo Bar Association, a voluntary professional association of 1450 attorneys, is observing its 142nd year of service to attorneys practicing in Northwest Ohio, including continuing legal education and a pro bono legal services program.

2020–2021 Board of Directors

Effective July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021

• President William G. Meyer
• First Vice President Hon. Myron C. Duhart
• Second Vice President Sarah K. Skow
• Secretary Michael E. Bryant
• Treasurer Jeremiah P. O’Brien

Directors:

• Dean Benjamin Barros
• Kurt W. Bruderly
• Timothy W. Effler
• Valerie J. Fatica
• Mag. Trevor N. Fernandes
• Ashley A. Futrell
• Evy M. Jarrett
• Cindy M. Kirby
• Tammy G. Lavalette
• Hon. Christine E. Mayle
• Adam S. Nightingale
• Jane E. Roman
• Robert C. Tucker
• Carasusana B. Wall
• LaTanya R. Wilson
• Patricia A. Wise
• Craig M. Witherell
• Peter G. Rost – Past President

With participation from more than 50,000 Ohio legal professionals, the results from last weeks Ohio Metro Bar Association Trial Advocacy Survey on opening courtrooms for jury trials are in.

While the duration and reach of the COVID-19 pandemic remains largely speculative, consensus within the Ohio legal community is that jury trials must proceed when (1) deemed essential; (2) they can be conducted in compliance with best medical practices; and (3) they are able to honor the fundamental rights of all parties to the judicial process.

You can read the results of the survey and recommendations presented to the Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice on the OMBAC Jury Trial Advisory Survey here.