Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman Speaks at Capital University Law School

April 23, 2004

April 21, 2004, Columbus, Ohio, Mayor Michael Coleman delivered a speech entitled “The Role of the American Lawyer in Government and Politics" before Capital University Law School students, faculty and staff.

Coleman began the event by explaining why he arrived on crutches. A motorcycle fell on his foot, breaking his ankle.

Coleman quickly moved on to recount how he entered politics. He said, “In law school something special happened.” He wrote to the then-President Jimmy Carter requesting a clerkship. To Coleman’s surprise, the letter led to a law clerkship at the White House. It was during this clerkship that Coleman met Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. This meeting inspired Coleman to realize, “You’re life is what you do for others.”

After his speech, Mayor Coleman took questions from the audience. Topics included the upcoming presidential election, “pork barrel spending” and the revitalization of downtown Columbus.

Michael Coleman took office as mayor of Columbus, Ohio, January 1, 2001. Prior to becoming mayor, Coleman served as President of Columbus City Council from 1997 to 1999 and as a Council member from 1992 to 1999. Coleman is a 1980 graduate of the University of Dayton Law School and a Toledo, Ohio, native.

The event was sponsored by the Capital University Law School Democrats.