The Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF) is pleased to announce it has selected four honorees to be recognized at its Annual Awards Dinner on Oct. 6, 2017 at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center, Ohio.
This event is a gathering of all OSBF Fellows, board members and friends from across the state. Attendees will hear remarks from the foundation president, Andy Storar and learn more of the impact the foundation has over the past year in furthering their mission to improve public understanding of the rule of law and build a better justice system.
Honorees are listed below followed by award criteria:
2017 Ritter Award Winner: Retired Honorable Evelyn Stratton of Columbus with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP; this is the highest honor awarded by the foundation. This award is given for a lifetime of service and recognizes the accomplishments of the honoree in attaining and promoting professionalism, integrity and ethics in the practice of law.
2017 Ramey Award for Distinguished Community Service: Stephen Tilson of Galion with Hottenroth Garverick Tilson & Garverick Co.; given to an Ohio attorney whose career has been exemplified by: dedication to the goals and values sought to be furthered by the foundation; a lifetime of service to the public and to the community; and integrity, honor, courtesy and professionalism. This service must be outside the recipients’ practice of law and must be given without compensation.
2017 Outstanding Program or Organization Award: Sisters in Law, Toledo; given annually to a program or organization that promotes dissemination of information about, increases access to and/or generates improvements in the Ohio justice system.
2017 Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 & Under: Michael Kelley of Columbus with Donald W. Kelley & Associates; presented to attorneys, 40 years of age or younger, who contribute substantial time and effort in service to a local social service, or a local civic, artistic or cultural organization. The service must be outside the recipients' practice of law and must be given without compensation.
The Ohio State Bar Foundation is a 501(c) (3) grant-making organization that works to advance the law and build a better justice system. It believes democracy works better when people understand the law and have fair and equal access to justice. For more information about the Ohio State Bar Foundation, please visit www.osbf.net.