Retired judge Richard M. Markus recently marked the 40th anniversary of writing the first edition of the “Trial Handbook for Ohio Lawyers.”

As the guide to the substantive and procedural law of trials in Ohio, the handbook informs trial court judges of the latest developments in case law around the state over the prior year. Now known as “Ohio Trial Practice,” Markus convinced the publisher to change the name in 2011.

Maintaining a publication for four decades (he wrote a second edition in 1991, annual supplements from 1973 to 2000 and new editions beginning in 2001) would seem to offer enough to do as a side project all on its own. But “Ohio Trial Practice” is not the only publication Markus has authored. Others include an Alternative Dispute Resolution manual, a handbook about Damages and Settlement, and publications about the Ohio Rules of Evidence.

Ninth District Court of Appeals Judge Clair Dickinson made his debut this year as co-author of “Ohio Trial Practice.” And Markus said an update to the 2013 edition is in progress.

Markus served on the bench at the Eighth District Court of Appeals and the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. His career also includes time as a civil attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice and as a partner with several law firms.