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Court News Ohio
Court News Ohio

Leadership Changes at the Ohio State Bar Association

Image of Dayton attorney Jonathan Hollingsworth

Dayton attorney Jonathan Hollingsworth is the new president of the Ohio State Bar Association.

Image of Dayton attorney Jonathan Hollingsworth

Dayton attorney Jonathan Hollingsworth is the new president of the Ohio State Bar Association.

The Ohio State Bar Association is undergoing a changing of the guard in key positions, including a new president. Dayton attorney Jonathan Hollingsworth assumed a one-year term on July 1, becoming OSBA’s 133rd president.

Hollingsworth is a former Dayton Bar Association president and has served on the OSBA Board of Governors.

“This is an exciting time for the OSBA,” said Hollingsworth. “The membership, board and staff, working together, will continue allowing the OSBA to provide our core services that assist lawyers in their practice of law, and to stay ahead of the curve in terms of new services and the way we deliver them.”

Hollingsworth replaces immediate past-president Judge Patrick F. Fischer of Cincinnati. His term will end on June 30, 2014.

Toledo attorney Martin E. Mohler became OSBA’s president-elect on July 1. He will become the next president of OSBA on July 1, 2014. Mohler was elected to this position at OSBA’s annual convention in May.

Mohler, who served a three year term on the OSBA Board of Governors, is a former president of the Toledo Bar Association. He said he “welcomes the opportunity to continue to serve and to increase diversity and outreach to OSBA members.”

“The OSBA is dedicated to serving its members, often in the face of complex challenges. I have been, and remain, committed to giving our membership the utmost in value and service,” Mohler said.

The OSBA also has a new executive director as of July 1. Mary Amos Augsburger was unanimously selected by the Board of Governors last month. Augsburger is the fourth executive director and first woman in the position in the OSBA’s 133-year history. She succeeds Denny L. Ramey who retired after 33 years of service.

Seven attorneys were also elected to the OSBA Board of Governors. The 21-member Board of Governors manages the OSBA’s business affairs, sets policy, reviews pending legislation and conducts other business on behalf of the 25,000 Ohio lawyers and the 4,000 legal assistants and law students who are OSBA members.

  • Springfield attorney Randall M. Comer will serve a three year term for District 6, which includes 468 attorneys who reside or practice in Champaign, Clark, Fayette, Greene, Logan, Madison, and Union counties. He succeeds retiring District 6 representative Judge Thomas J. Grady of Springfield.
  • Swanton attorney Alan J. Lehenbauer will serve a three year term for District 3, which includes 492 attorneys who reside or practice in Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, Williams, and Wood counties. He succeeds retiring District 3 representative James K. Weaner of Defiance.
  • J. Kristin Burkett of Granville will serve District 9, which includes 481 attorneys who reside or practice in Coshocton, Fairfield, Knox, Licking, Muskingum, and Perry counties. She succeeds retiring District 9 representative William M. Owens of Coshocton.
  • Cleveland attorney Ronald V. Johnston will serve District 12, which includes 4,467 attorneys who reside or practice in Cuyahoga County. He succeeds retiring District 12 representative Mark S. Floyd of Cleveland. Cleveland attorney Robin G. Weaver was elected to serve a three year term as an at-large representative for District 12.
  • Thomas H. Gerken is a retired judge from Logan who will serve District 17. The district includes 183 attorneys who reside or practice in Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Noble, and Washington counties. He succeeds retiring District 17 representative James D. Sillery of Athens, whose term concluded June 30.
  • Mentor attorney David J. Sternberg was elected to serve District 18, which includes 635 attorneys who reside or practice in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties. He succeeds retiring District 18 representative Kevin P. Murphy of Warren.