The Ramey Award for Distinguished Community Service is given annually to an Ohio attorney whose career has been underscored by dedication to the Ohio State Bar Foundation's goals and values, a lifetime of service to the public and community, all while working with integrity, honor, courtesy, and professionalism. Service must be outside the nominee’s practice of law and offered without compensation.
Ramey Award For Distinguished Community Service
Nomination Form
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About Denny Ramey
In 1980, Denny Ramey joined the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA), serving as its executive director for 25 years. He is nationally recognized as an innovative bar leader, focusing on providing service to the Association’s members, the public at large, and the profession as a whole. In addition to his duties as executive director of the OSBA, Denny also served as an officer and board member of many OSBA affiliated organizations.
The OSBA, under Denny’s guidance, received numerous awards for its public information and education efforts over the years. The OSBA’s flagship service to its members is the weekly publication of advance sheets of decisions and opinions of Ohio Courts. Under his leadership, the Ohio State Bar Association Reports has been continually enhanced. In addition to the popular print edition, it is also available online and can be customized to a member’s particular interests.
Denny was instrumental in bringing Casemaker, a revolutionary online legal research tool, to OSBA members as part of their membership. He also was active in taking Casemaker to a national level.
Under Denny’s leadership, the OSBA’s governmental affairs program has become one of the most successful among Ohio’s professional organizations. Ohio elected officials routinely rely on the OSBA for advice and research on an array of issues concerning the legal profession, the law and public policy.
In response to members needing better access to public and government documents, Denny helped to create the Online Professional Electronic Network (OPEN). This put public and government documents that could take days and weeks to secure literally at the fingertips of Ohio lawyers. OPEN also proved to be profitable, turning a $1 million investment into a $7 million sale.
The National Association of Bar Executives (NABE) recognized Denny’s leadership with its highest honor, the Bolton Award, which is given annually to recognize the exceptional professionalism and achievement of a bar executive. In 2011, the OSBA honored Denny with its highest honor, the Bar Medal Award, usually reserved for lawyers.
Denny earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Ohio University, an MBA degree from Capital University (Columbus) and the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives. Ramey previously held positions with the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Engineers Foundation of Ohio, and Transit Warehouse Company.