The world needs one more lawyer

I've been fortunate to have enjoyed friendly, professional association with a number of lawyers and judges through more than 22 years as a newspaper hack.

One former judge of whom I'm particularly fond is Jim Hapner.

Jim and I got to know each other through a series of Cincinnati Reds Opening Day games we attended with John and Chris Fuller in the mid-1990s. While Jim's health has been cause for concern of late, just a couple of years ago, the group made it to Great American Ball Park – for what we all knew would be the final time.

Jim Hapner, like his brother and former Judge Jon Hapner, and so many others in the legal profession really are among our brightest people. (Yes, Kathryn, that pains me to write!)

What many people often fail to realize is that attorneys are, by and large, very gifted writers who possess not only a sharp mind but an even sharper wit. My old editor Jay Brushart would've probably changed the previous modifier to "acerbic."

Yes, lawyers (like a few newspaper columnists) do have an acerbic wit. And why not?

In their business, it's most likely a prerequisite.

The good ones can laugh at themselves once in a while, too.

Just this week at the Hillsboro Post Office, Hillsboro Municipal Court Judge David McKenna and I exchanged a few lawyer jokes. Of course, I reminded him that they apply to newspaper editors in similar fashion.

"What do you call 10,000 lawyers (or editors) at the bottom of the ocean?" Judge McKenna asked.

Answer: A good start.

That joke's been around longer than Hammurabi.

Judge McKenna is not alone. Judges Kevin Greer and Rocky Coss also have a sense of humor. Really. (OK, Judge Greer keeps his locked up in his pole barn, but he does have one.)

Judges Brett Spencer and Alan Foster in Adams County have been known to display a reserved sense of humor as well.

Longtime Adams County attorney Roy Gabbert combined a great writing ability with an incredible – and occasionally subtle – sense of humor. Roy and I exchanged weekly, old-fashioned USPS-delivered letters for about two years when I was a publisher in West Union. Then one day, someone (I blame his son, Robbie) introduced Roy to the wonders of electronic communication. I remember writing after Roy's death that giving him email was like giving dynamite to a pyromaniac. But I always looked forward to his every communication.

Today, I look forward to the occasional email from Loveland attorney Tom Tepe, who can offer a word or two of encouragement as well as some sound advice – minus the billable hours!

Over the years, I've read quite a bit about the codes of conduct for attorneys and judges. One part in the Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct, which I've referenced in the past, is Rule 2.4.

It states:

External Influences on Judicial Conduct

(A) A judge shall not be swayed by public clamor or fear of criticism.

(B) A judge shall not permit family, social, political, financial, or other interests or relationships to influence the judge’s judicial conduct or judgment.

(C) A judge shall not convey or permit others to convey the impression that any person or organization is in a position to influence the judge.

I've often thought that Rule 2.4(A) "A judge shall not be swayed by public clamor or fear of criticism," should apply to newspaper publishers.

Lord knows, if a newspaper published bowed down in fear to every public clamor and criticism, he'd never get anything done.

Judges are self-policing, too. If one has knowledge of misconduct by a fellow lawyer, he is required to report it.

Rule 2.15(B) states: "A judge having knowledge that a lawyer has committed a violation of the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct that raises a question regarding the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects shall inform the appropriate authority."

Not having read the entire Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct, I am not sure whether Rule 2.15(B) or any other rule might apply to any other public officials' conduct or if this code is reserved for the legal profession. I suspect the latter, but perhaps one of our judges will respond and provide clarification.

Suffice it to say that Ohio's lawyers and judges endure not only the academic rigors for the profession, but also a thorough and ongoing scrutiny after passing the bar and entering practice.

(Maybe that's why they need a sense of humor!)

Highland County Press managing editor Brandy Chandler does have a sense of humor. She can write a bit, too.

And as Judge McKenna and I said in near-unison the other day, "The world needs more lawyers."

Two weeks ago, Brandy received notice of her acceptance into the Capital University Law School.

After close to a decade of covering courtroom trials as a journalist, Brandy now prepares for a new role in her young life.

She has learned well. And she will go as far as her ambitions and efforts take her.

I can add, without fear of contradiction, that the once-timid young lady from Lucasville Valley High School and Shawnee State University has as much courage, confidence and conviction as any reporter in the long history of Ohio newspapers.

Yes, she's won her share of industry awards. But she's also intelligent enough to understand the subjectivity of such things.

More importantly, she writes to inform. To share information. To let voters and taxpayers know how public officials' actions affect them.

Whether you realize it or not, for several years, Brandy Chandler has been your eyes and ears into local government. Others have followed her lead, or attempted to keep pace. 

She understands the journalist's Socratic Method: Ask questions.

She does this as well as anyone in the business. And she can sense in a New York heartbeat when a public official doesn't want to answer her questions. (That's when I get to have some fun!)

We will miss Brandy. But our readers will miss her more – and that's how it should be.

Tim and Carol Chandler have every reason to be proud of Brandy's many accomplishments, from college graduation, to Ohio State University John Glenn/Kiplinger Fellowship, to successful professional career. Her reporting on the DHL job losses in southern Ohio was among the best anywhere. Bar none.

And in the grand scheme of things, one more lawyer isn't all that bad, I suppose.

Brandy will be with us through the end of July before starting classes. If you'd like to call or send her a note in the meantime, she probably won't sue you.

Good luck, Tall Girl. Stop by and see your HCP family every once in a while.

Rory Ryan is publisher of The Highland County Press.