Awards History

2021 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award
John S. Stith, Cincinnati

The Ramey Award for Distinguished Community Service
Sanford Watson, Cleveland

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Peggy Zone Fisher, Cleveland

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
S. Andrew Sturgill, Portsmouth, Ohio

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Lindsey Baker, Cincinnati, OH

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Liliana Vasquez, Columbus, OH

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Kyle Witucky, Zanesville, Ohio

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Elizabeth Bux, Medina, oh

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Valissa Turner Howard, South Euclid, Ohio

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Molli Schleucher, Celina, Ohio

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Marissa Fitzpatrick, Perrysburg, OH

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Tonya Rogers, Canton, Ohio

2020 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award
Hon. Michael J. Newman, Dayton

The Ramey Award for Distinguished Community Service
Jeffrey Pollock, Cleveland

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association/Rebecca McMahon, Cleveland

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Katrina Thompson, Columbus

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Judge Gerald Parker, Dayton

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Matthew Wagner, Cincinnati

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Lee Heckman, Newark

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Christopher Teodosio, Akron

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Bryan Conaway, Cambridge

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Jaclyn Vary, Cleveland

Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Katrina Thompson, Columbus

2019 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award
Richard F. Swope, Columbus

The Ramey Award for Distinguished Community Service
Donald H. Messinger , Cleveland

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center, Columbus

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
James K. Stanley, Pomeroy

2018 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award
Marvin L. Karp, Cleveland

The Ramey Award for Distinguished Community Service
Melinda G. Seeds, Pataskala

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio, Cincinnati

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Brandon Cox, Cleveland

2017 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award
Retired Honorable Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, Columbus

The Ramey Award for Distinguished Community Service
Stephen F. Tilson, Galion

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Sisters In Law, Toledo

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Michael W. Kelley, Columbus

2016 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award
Sandra J. Anderson, Columbus

The Ramey Award for Distinguished Community Service
Ronald L. Kahn, Cleveland

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Summit County Juvenile Court Crossroads Program, Akron

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Drew Odum, Cleveland

2015 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award
Fred J. Ball, Cleveland

The Ramey Award for Distinguished Community Service
Steven W. Jemison, Cincinnati

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Ohio Innocence Project, University of Cincinnati College of Law, Cincinnati

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Sarah K. Skow, Toledo

2014 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award
Patrick J. Perotti, Painesville

The Ramey Award for Distinguished Community Service
Carter E. Strang, Cleveland

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Ao: Advocating Opportunity and Louis Stokes Scholars Program, Toledo/Cleveland

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Angela A. Wu, Oberlin

2013 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award
Reginald S. Jackson, Jr., Maumee

The Ramey Award for Distinguished Community Service
Edward G. Marks, Cincinnati

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
START Program, Dayton

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Nicole I. Khoury, Toledo

2012 Award Recipients

Distinguished Community Service Award
Merle F. Wilberding, Dayton

The Ritter Award
Ronald W. Dougherty, Canton

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Court Community Service, Cleveland

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Perry County Free Legal Clinic, Lexington

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Jason Given, Coshocton

2011 Award Recipients

Statewide Community Service for Attorneys 40 and Under
Shawna L. L'Italien, Salem

Honorary Life Fellowship Award
Harold D. Spears, Ironton

The Ritter Award
Stephen E. Chappelear, Columbus

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Fugitive Safe Surrender Program of Cleveland, Cleveland

2010 Award Recipients

Honorary Life Fellowship Award
David C. Weiner, Cleveland

The Ritter Award
Hon. Richard K. Warren, Lima

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality & Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Dayton/Toledo/Defiance

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Danyelle S. T. Wright, Dayton

2009 Award Recipients

Honorary Life Fellowship
The Hon. Charles F. Kurfess, Perrysburg

The Ritter Award
Robert M. Clyde, Hubbard

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland - Community Advocacy Program, Cleveland

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Interfaith Legal Services Clinic at Andrews House, Delaware

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Jeffrey A. Brauer, Cleveland

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Chad A. Readler, Columbus

2008 Award Recipients

Honorary Life Fellowship
Michael R. Merz, Dayton

The Ritter Award
Joseph W. Shea III, Cincinnati

Outstanding Program or Organization Award
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association 3 Rs Program, Cleveland

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Robert W. Edmund, Tampa, FL

2007 Award Recipients

Honorary Life Fellowship
Charles C. Warner, Columbus

The Ritter Award
Sally W. Bloomfield, Columbus

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Amy L. Demlow, Medina

2006 Award Recipients

Honorary Life Fellowship
John J. Chester, Columbus

Outstanding Program or Organization
Summer Legal Academy of Cleveland, Cleveland

Outstanding Research Award
Douglas A. Berman, Columbus

Outstanding Public or Government Service Award
R. Edward Marks, Alberquerque, NM

Outstanding Public or Government Service Award
Terre L. Vandervoort, Lancaster

The Ritter Award
William J. Bingle, Toledo

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Paul Scott Lorenzo, Powell

2005 Award Recipients

Outstanding Program or Organization
Greater Dayton Volunteer Lawyers Project, Dayton

Honorary Life Fellowship
Lyonel C. Jones, Cleveland

Outstanding Public or Government Service Award
Thomas W. Weeks, Columbus

Outstanding Research Award
Election Law @ Moritz, Columbus

The Ritter Award
Michael E. Flowers, Columbus

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Matthew L. Reger, Bowling Green

2004 Award Recipients

Outstanding Public or Government Service Award
Justice Evelyn L. Stratton, Worthington

Honorary Life Fellows
Earnest Karam, Cincinnati

Outstanding Research Award
Robert J. Nordstrom, Columbus

Outstanding Research Award
Donald F. Melhorn Jr., Toledo

Outstanding Program or Organization
Law Tuesday of the Toledo Bar Association's Pro Bono Services, Toledo

The Ritter Award
F.M. (Mike) Apicella, Russell Township

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Joanne S. Peters, Columbus

2003 Award Recipients

Outstanding Public or Government Service Award
Jean E. Atkin, Newbury

Honorary Life Fellows
Eddie M. Cole, Detroit, MI

Outstanding Program or Organization
Toledo Bar Association Law-Related School Education Committee, Toledo

Outstanding Research Award
Prof. Susan R. Martyn, Toledo

Outstanding Public or Government Service Award
Michael Orlando, Lancaster

The Ritter Award
Samuel H. Porter, Columbus

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Mark K. McCown, Ironton

2002 Award Recipients

Outstanding Research Award
Howard M. Friedman, Toledo

Outstanding Public or Government Service Award
Hon. Kathleen L. Giesler, Port Clinton

Honorary Life Fellows
John S. Stith, Cincinnati

Honorary Life Fellows
Josiah Hillerman Blackmore III, Blacklick

The Ritter Award
Ralph Kennedy Frasier, Jackson, FL

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Grant B. Garverick, Galion

2001 Award Recipients

Outstanding Public or Government Service Award
Hon. Denise Herman McColley, Napoleon

Outstanding Program or Organization
The Ohio State University Pro Bono Research Program, Columbus

Honorary Life Fellows
Howard H. Harcha Jr., Portsmouth

Outstanding Research Award
Glen Weissenberger, River Forest, IL

The Ritter Award
Robert G. Morris, Toledo

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Linda R. Warner, Pomeroy

2000 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Toledo Bar Association AIDS Assistance Committee, Toledo

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Hon. Gerald E. Radcliffe, Chillicothe

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
William K. Weisenberg, Columbus

Honorary Life Fellows
John F. Hayward, Toledo

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Hon. John D. Holschuh, Cincinnati

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Lloyd Fisher Jr., Columbus

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Kent Wellington, Cincinnati

1999 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Jack G. Day, Cleveland

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Walter M. Lawson Jr., Lima

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Thomas L. Blust, Batavia

Honorary Life Fellows
William C. Becker, Akron

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
David A. Martin, Columbus

1998 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Nancy H. Rogers, Columbus

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Hon. Robert V. Franklin Jr., Toledo

Honorary Life Fellows
Hon. Harold F. White, Akron

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Arthur I. Vorys, Gahanna

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Robert J. Reynolds, Wooster

1997 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
P.E.A.C.E Program, Marion

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Leslie W. Jacobs, Gates Mills

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Edward S. Noble, St. Marys

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Hon. James G. Carr, Toledo

Honorary Life Fellows
Hon. Ronald B. Adrine, Cleveland

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
John J. Williams, Cincinnati

1996 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer, Columbus

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
The Cleveland Bar Association Juvenile Justice Initiative, Cleveland

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Robert B. Gosline, Toledo

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Hon. Walter A. Porter, Dayton

Honorary Life Fellows
Albert L. Bell, Westerville

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Stephen F. Hubbard, Defiance

1995 Award Recipients

Honorary Life Fellows
George E. Schroeder, Ottawa

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Hon. John W. Potter, Toledo

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Hon. William W. Badger, Millersburg

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
The Toledo Bar Association Pro Bono Legal Services Program, Toledo

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Thomas E. Szykowny, Columbus

Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under
Paul E. Croy, Waterville

1994 Award Recipients

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Thomas E. Cavendish, Columbus

Honorary Life Fellows
Edward C. Redmond, Painesville

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Lloyd H. O'Hara, Dayton

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Hon. John M. Meagher, San Rafael, CA

1993 Award Recipients

Honorary Life Fellows
Ivan L. Miller, Cleveland

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
C. Terry Johnson, Dayton

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Theodore M. Berry, Cincinnati

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Toledo Citizen Dispute Settlement Program, Toledo

1992 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Robert M. Duncan, Columbus

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Gordon B. Gray, Athens

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Hon. William Ammer, Circleville

Honorary Life Fellows
Thomas J. Harrington, Fort Meyers, FL

1991 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Supreme Court of Ohio's Off-Site Court Program, Columbus

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Hon. Charlton M. Myers, Moral

Honorary Life Fellows
Wayne E. Shaffer, Bryan

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
William E. Knepper, Columbus

1990 Award Recipients

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Leonard A. Weakley, Cincinnati

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Zolman Cavitch, Tarpon Springs, FL

Honorary Life Fellows
Hon. J. Craig Wright, Columbus

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
The Ohio Center for Law-Related Education Ohio Mock Trial Program, Columbus

1989 Award Recipients

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Robert L. Moulton

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Florence E. Allen, Mentor

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
William K. Thomas, Cleveland

Honorary Life Fellows
John T. Brown, Mansfield

1988 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Abraham Gertner, Columbus

Honorary Life Fellows
Jack F. Pickrel, Montgomery

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Francis X. Beytagh, Jacksonville, FL

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Charles P. Baker Jr., Painesville

Service to the Public for 50 Years
John E. Bauknecht

1987 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Frank A. Bazler, Troy

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
John A. Carnahan, Columbus

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Richard M. Markus, Fairview Park

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Kenneth M. Petri, Galion

Honorary Life Fellows
Bradley J. Schaeffer

1986 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Ohio Northern University Law Review, Ada

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Karl H. Weaner, Defiance

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Bruce I. Petrie, Cincinnati

Honorary Life Fellows
William W. Falsgraf, Cleveland

1985 Award Recipients

Honorary Life Fellows
William R. Van Aken, Shaker Heights

Honorary Life Fellows
Joseph B. Miller, Columbus

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Robert L. Hausser, Marietta

Service to the Public for 50 Years
J. Paul McNamara

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Ralph S. Locher, Beachwood

1984 Award Recipients

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
John W. McCormac, Worthington

Honorary Life Fellows
James L. Young

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Earl F. Morris, Columbus

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Robert L. McBride, Dayton

1983 Award Recipients

Honorary Life Fellows
Robert E. Leach, Columbus

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Robert Lynn, Upper Arlington

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Carl B. Felger, Piqua

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Columbus Night Prosecutors Program, Columbus

1982 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
James L. McCrystal, Cleveland

Service to the Public for 50 Years
George J. McMonagle, Rocky River

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Harry P. Jeffrey, Dayton

Honorary Life Fellows
Sam D. Bartlo, Hudson

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Stanley E. Harper Jr., Fort Mitchell, KY

1981 Award Recipients

The Ritter Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Administration of Justice
Licking County Municipal Court, Newark

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Oliver Schroeder Jr., Chardon

Honorary Life Fellows
William L. Howland, Portsmouth

Service to the Public for 50 Years
James Slater Gibson, Ottawa Hills

1980 Award Recipients

Honorary Life Fellows
John A. Eckler, Columbus

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
William R. Van Aken, Shaker Heights

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Lisle M. Buckingham, Akron

1979 Award Recipients

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Leonard J. Stern, Columbus

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Earl F. Morris, Columbus

1978 Award Recipients

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Lester L. Cecil Sr., Dayton

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Hon. William B. Saxbe, Columbus

1977 Award Recipients

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Arthur W. Doyle, Akron

Service to the Public for 50 Years
J.J.P. Corrigan, Columbus

1976 Award Recipients

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
W. Bitner Browne, Springfield

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Samuel T. Gains

1975 Award Recipients

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Girard E. Kalbfleisch, Mansfield

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Craig Spangenberg, Cleveland

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Jamille G. Jamra, Toledo

1974 Award Recipients

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Henry S. Brainard

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
James L. Young

1973 Award Recipients

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
C. William O'Neill, Dublin

Service to the Public for 50 Years
John M. Newman, Youngstown

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Robert P. Goldman, Cincinnati

1972 Award Recipients

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
John W. Bricker, Columbus

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Murray Seasongood, Cincinnati

1971 Award Recipients

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Leo H. Faust, Urbana

Service to the Public for 50 Years
John Baker Hollister, Cincinnati

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Charles M. Zelkowitz, Mount Vernon

1970 Award Recipients

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Hiram L. Connett, Columbus

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Grace Fern Heck Faust, Troy

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Joseph Thomas

1969 Award Recipients

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Hon. John V. Corrigan, Cleveland

Service to the Public for 50 Years
H.R. Loomis, Ravenna

1968 Award Recipients

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Andrew S. Iddings, Dayton

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Oscar A. Hunsicker, Akron

1967 Award Recipients

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Russell H. Kear, Upper Sandusky

Service to the Public for 50 Years
C. Blake McDowell, Akron

1966 Award Recipients

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Aronhold C. Schapiro, Portsmouth

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Charles B. Zimmerman, Columbus

1965 Award Recipients

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Paul C. Weick, Stow

Service to the Public for 50 Years
Gillum H. Doolittle, Akron

1964 Award Recipients

Outstanding Research or Service in Law or Government
Frank R. Strong, Columbus/Chapel Hill, NC

Service to the Public for 50 Years
George W. Ritter, Toledo