Todd Book becomes OSBA Legislative Counsel
The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) has announced the selection of Portsmouth native Todd Book as its legislative counsel.
Book will assume his new duties this fall. He succeeds previous OSBA Legislative Counsel Mary Amos Augsburger, who recently became OSBA executive director.
Book’s duties as legislative counsel will include management, coordination and administration of the OSBA legislation and government relations program, through interaction with the Ohio General Assembly, administrative agencies of the state of Ohio and OSBA committees and sections. He will assist OSBA committees and sections in preparing their legislative proposals.
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Most recently, Book served as economic development director for Scioto County. He also is a partner in the firm of Harcha, Book & Beck, where he focuses his practice on probate, estate planning, real estate and general litigation. In addition, he has worked in the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office as an assistant prosecutor.
Book, a former four-term member of the Ohio House of Representatives, was first elected in 2002. He served the 89th House District, which includes all of Scioto County, the western half of Lawrence County and the eastern half of Adams County in Southern Ohio, from 2003-10.
Book earned his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University where he majored in political science. He earned his law degree from the College of William & Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law.
Book is a fellow of the Ohio State Bar Foundation, a former member of the OSBA Board of Governors, and a trustee of the 2nd Presbyterian Church. His wife, Emily, is a tutor for dyslexic students. They have three children: Cassidy, Avery and Meredith.
According to William K. Weisenberg, OSBA assistant executive director for public affairs, government relations and diversity initiatives, “The Ohio State Bar Association maintains an excellent relationship with the state’s elected officials, offering advice and counsel regarding legislative matters that are important to the Ohio legal community and the general public.
As the next legislative counsel, Todd brings extensive knowledge of state government that will help us continue that longstanding tradition. His legal training and public sector experience will make him a valuable resource for our Association in working with the Ohio legislature.”
The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is a voluntary association representing approximately 25,000 members of the bench and bar of Ohio as well as nearly 4,000 legal assistants and law students.
Through its activities and the activities of its related organizations, the OSBA serves both its members and the public by promoting the highest standards in the practice of law and the administration of justice.