Former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Yvette McGee Brown (left) and OSBA Women in the Profession Section Chair Patricia Snyder (right) hold the Nettie Cronise Lutes Award.

Former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Yvette McGee Brown (left) and OSBA Women in the Profession Section Chair Patricia Snyder (right) hold the Nettie Cronise Lutes Award.

Former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Yvette McGee Brown has been honored by the Ohio State Bar Association as the 2016 recipient of the Nettie Cronise Lutes Award. McGee Brown received the award on April 27 during the OSBA’s All-Ohio Legal Forum in Cincinnati.

The Nettie Cronise Lutes Award, named for the first woman to practice law in Ohio, was created by the OSBA Women in the Profession Section to recognize women lawyers who have “improved the legal profession through their own high level of professionalism and who have opened doors for other women and girls.”

“Professionally, there is no greater honor than being recognized by the Ohio State Bar Association. I am humbled by this award and thankful to all the people along the way who gave me opportunities and pushed me to step forward and take risks. I have been blessed with good role models, people of integrity who taught me that we are all required to make a difference, to pay forward. This profession has given me so much, and if in any way I have inspired others, I am thankful,” McGee Brown said.

McGee Brown is a partner with Jones Day in Columbus. Before serving on the Supreme Court, she was a Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge in the domestic relations and juvenile division.

State of the Court Address
Also at the OSBA’s forum, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith L. French on April 28 provided a state of the court report on behalf of Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor. Justice French discussed how the Court has been following through with recommendations from the Supreme Court Task Force on Access to Justice, including a new rule to allow a check-off box on attorney registration forms for a $50 donation to legal aid and doubling the fee an out-of-state lawyer not licensed in Ohio pays to appear in court for a particular trial.

Justice French acknowledged the professionalism and community involvement of Ohio’s judges, court staff, and lawyers.

“I know the work you are all doing in your communities. Not just the work on behalf of your clients, but your pro bono work, your service on grievance committees, and your leadership in bar associations, charitable organizations, and your local schools. You all make me proud of being a lawyer and serving you on the Supreme Court of Ohio,” she said.

Justice French also presented Willoughby attorney Ann S. Bergen with the 2016 John C. and Ginny Elam Pro Bono Award that recognizes and encourages outstanding pro bono legal work in the state of Ohio.