Profiles in Success

Small-town Practice Offers Opportunity of a Lifetime
Barbara J. Lucks, LPA, Circleville, OH

After almost 30 years of practicing law in a small town, Barbara Lucks has built a law practice—and a life—that is the envy of many. Some would consider Lucks appropriately named—she’s a lucky lady; but she’s also someone who has had the good sense to be open to—and capitalize upon—every opportunity life has offered.

Upon graduation from Capital Law School in 1976, Lucks began her law career in Asheville, Ohio, where she has the distinction of being the first female attorney to practice law in the county. She acknowledges that could have been a tricky position—being the first at anything can be a daunting responsibility. Fortunately, she found a mentor in Harry Margulis, a noted central Ohio trial attorney, who took her under his wing. As she describes it, “He built me up to clients and colleagues, and always introduced me as his new, and brilliant, assistant. Every time he said that, I was determined to live up to the reputation he was creating for me.”

Lucks was made a partner in the firm within three years. Almost 20 years later, in 1995, she made the move to become a solo practitioner.

What, exactly, kept her interested in building her practice in a small town outside a large city? “There were two strong incentives: the never-ending variety in law and the lasting relationships with clients. Although now I focus mostly on probate and civil law, over the years I’ve handled everything from murder trials to Securities and Exchange cases. As I keep evolving, so do my interests and abilities. On the personal side, it’s extremely rewarding to establish life-long relationships with clients. I am their attorney and they come to me to find the best possible solutions. I’ve been a part of many of my clients’ lives for nearly 30 years—what could be more rewarding than that?”

Lucks’ commitment to the law profession goes beyond building her practice. She maintains a close connection to Capital Law, currently serving as president-elect of the law school’s board of counselors. She was an original member of this board, and is thrilled to see the group revitalized under the direction of the new dean. “The board of counselors has significant insights to share with Capital Law; this is an important town/gown conduit. We get to share with the law school what we’re seeing in our practices, so that the law school can better prepare law students to become top attorneys.”

As an attorney, Lucks views community involvement as a right and a responsibility. She’s a director of the Citizen’s Bank of Asheville and serves as a member of the board of trustees of Elmhurst College, her alma mater. In addition, she makes it a priority to handle some pro bono work every month. In her experience, “Every lawyer I know handles some pro bono work. Helping people at what may be the worst moment of their lives is simply part of the job. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Intellectual curiosity sparks career in patent law
David Tannenbaum, L’66
Partner, Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P, Dallas, TX

A former engineer at Western Electric in Columbus, Ohio, David Tannenbaum loved his work but his intellectual curiosity about the law was sparked after working closely with patent attorneys.

After graduating from Capital in 1966, he was tapped by Bell Laboratories in New Jersey to work with the pre-eminent research scientists in the world, “I was incredibly fortunate to work there for 24 years with some of the world’s brightest scientists. I knew I wanted to be a patent attorney and Bell Laboratories was the perfect career move. Better than the right place at the right time, I was at the best place at the best time.”

Sixteen years ago, Tannenbaum moved to Dallas, Texas, to find success in private practice. He chose Dallas because of the patent activity in the telecommunications area, but he also specializes in the areas of copyright and trademark. Tannenbaum, a partner at Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P., an international law firm with 10 offices throughout the world, has worked to obtain patents for inventors who have changed society forever. He’s worked on everything from medical technology to consumer products. Tannenbaum says he has the “privilege of working with great minds whose inventions let me see the possibilities of the future—only I get to see the future today.”

Tannenbaum is committed to giving back to the community through service and pro bono work. In New Jersey, he was president of his synagogue and actively involved with the Jewish Community Center and Jewish Federation. For a short time in Law School, Tannenbaum was enamored by the notion of becoming a trial attorney. He satisfied both his interest in criminal law and his responsibility to serve the community by handling a wide variety of pro bono criminal cases for the indigent. Since moving to Texas, he has become interested in pro bono custody cases, specializing in the rights of grandparents and their grandchildren. Interestingly, Tannenbaum and his wife requested and now have custody of their 11 year-old granddaughter. He also remains involved in the Law School, serving as a member of the board of counselors.

Passion for Constitutional Law Spurs Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship & Service
Mark Brown, Newton D. Baker/Baker & Hostetler Chair of Law

An expert in Constitutional Law, an accomplished scholar, and a legal volunteer, Mark Brown, Capital’s Newton D. Baker/Baker and Hostetler Chair of Law, has attained success in a variety of venues.

When he joined the Capital Law faculty in 2003 as an endowed chair holder, Brown brought almost two decades of academic success to his position, a reputation as a leading constitutional law scholar, and experience as a Judicial Fellow at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Scholarship
Brown has published almost two dozen articles addressing constitutional topics in law journals throughout the nation, and has written or contributed to three books.

“It’s very rewarding to discover something of interest, to research the topic, and then write a solid piece of scholarship. When something is published, I enjoy the number of professional dialogues that develop with scholars and attorneys who read my work—and who contact me to either endorse my thoughts, tell me I’m off-the-wall, or offer alternative arguments.”

His current scholarship includes an article for the American University Law Review on the issue of ballot fees and qualifications for office. “I’d written about this issue almost 10 years ago, with limited success. Now, with more research and, of course, further reflection, I’m putting together a new argument. Simply put, the constitution provides for three qualifications for an individual to be placed on a ballot—age, residency and citizenship. Ballot fees, which can be as much as $9,000 in some states, are a property requirement and are, therefore, unconstitutional. This is exciting stuff.”

Teaching
With his credentials and experience, Brown would be a strong candidate at many academic institutions. He chose Capital for a variety of reasons; one of the most important being that, “It’s a friendly place, with an environment that appeals to me both personally and professionally. I find the students to be smart, interested and eager, and my peers to be talented, collegial and intellectual.”

At Capital, Brown has been impressed by “the team-oriented atmosphere that permeates the Law School.” “Here, faculty and administrators collaborate to advance a common goal — positioning this institution to be a top law school where quality lawyers from a diverse population can be educated. I know that Capital creates opportunities for many people, and I am proud to be a part of that process.”

As part of that process, Brown is passionate about his teaching. His goal is to give his students, “the very best I have to offer; I owe them that. I want to make sure they realize that Constitutional Law impacts all of us in our everyday life. Because Constitutional Law surrounds us—although not all law students realize it—there is no shortage of real-life examples that can be pulled from the news. I never use old notes anymore. I prepare for my classes by starting over each time; by re-reading the cases that are the focus of the class and finding timely, up-to-date examples. Constitutional Law is always evolving, and there’s always a fresh way to bring this knowledge to my students. I think that’s one of the many reasons why I enjoy the academic atmosphere.”

Service
In addition to his teaching and scholarship commitments, Brown makes it a priority to find the time to give back to the profession and community with public service: “The Bar has an obligation to perform pro bono work. I take on a couple of cases each year, not only to keep current, but to live up to the trust that’s inherent in being accepted to the Bar.”

Brown has litigated pro bono cases for and through various public interest organizations, including the ACLU, NAACP, NOW, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement. Brown’s reputation usually triggers the request for his involvement. Some have requested his advice after reading articles he’s published; others have found him via the organizations to which he’s given his time and talent.

Brown also has served as chair of the AALS Section on Civil Rights, as well as chair of the ABA Litigation Section’s Subcommittee on Section 1983 Litigation. For 17 years, he was a cooperating attorney with the ACLU Foundation of Florida, served on its board, and recently served on the board of directors for the ACLU of Ohio Foundation.

Meet Professor Shirley Mays

Note: On July 1, 2005, Professor of Law Shirley Mays was named Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. She succeeds Professor Athornia Steele, ’75, L’77, who held the position with distinction for seven years, including one year as interim dean, and returns to the law faculty to teach full-time.

Growing up in Wilberforce, Ohio, a small town about 60 miles southeast of Columbus, Shirley Mays was exposed to an abundance of educational and cultural opportunities. Wilberforce is home to two historically black colleges — Wilberforce University and Central State University. Taking advantage of this and with the encouragement and support of her family and community, Mays found herself at Harvard Law School and today is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Path to Harvard
While an administrative assistant at Central State University, her alma mater, Mays realized that she needed more than a bachelor’s degree to grow her career. She also was a single-parent, caring for her son, Marques, who was three at the time. Her father challenged her to apply to Harvard Law School, offering to pay her applications and to also care for her son.

“My parents were very instrumental in my academic pursuits, but it was also a community commitment and celebration. The community I grew up in had a great respect for education and knowledge and what it can do for you; education was viewed as a lifeline for the black community.”

“Only now am I developing an appreciation for the experience I had at Harvard,” she shares. “I was exposed to incredible speakers, judges and professors. U.S. Supreme Court Judges judged our moot court competitions. My criminal law professor was Alan Dershowitz and my contracts law class was taught by the former U.S. Solicitor General Charles Fried.”

Journey to Capital
After graduate, Mays worked as an associate for Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in Columbus, Ohio, in the municipal law department preparing transactions for bond issues. Working the demanding hours of an associate in a thriving law firm wasn’t a favorable life for a single-parent. A colleague recommended her for a law clerk position with Chief Justice Thomas Moyer of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

While Mays was a clerk, Justice Moyer encouraged her to attend a minority teacher recruitment program sponsored by the Association of American Law Schools. “Unbeknown to me at the time, it was a traditional path for clerks to go into law teaching,” recalls Mays. She met Professor Athornia Steele at the conference and was later invited to Capital and other law schools to interview. “I liked the feel of the Law School, the faculty and their energy. The atmosphere was positive and the faculty got along well.”

In 1991, Mays joined the law faculty at Capital teaching Commercial Paper, Local Government Law, Property, and Women and the Law. She continued her interest in the public/municipal law area by serving as counsel to the firm of Peck, Shaffer & Williams where she advised school boards, city councils and other governmental bodies. All of this experience has led her to direct the Law School’s Government Law concentration, and serve as faculty director of the Ohio Tobacco Public Policy Center based at the Law School.

What she likes most about teaching at Capital
“The Students!” Mays feels an affinity with students at Capital, as she, too, is a first-generation college student. “Many of the students come here because they desire to make a difference and they believe that a law degree will help them to do that. I love that our mission is to provide educational opportunities for students who often would not otherwise be able to attend law school. Many of our students are first-generation college students and first-generation graduate school students.”

Mays enjoys working with students. She is the faculty advisor to Capital’s Black Law Students Association; coach for the Jessup International Moot Court Competition; and is Capital’s liaison to the Columbus Bar Association’s Minority Clerkship Program.

Member of the National Advisory Committee for Equal Justice Works
Jarrod Shirk, 2L

Second year law student, Jarrod Shirk recently was selected for the National Advisory Committee for Equal Justice Works through a national search.

Founded in 1986, Equal Justice Works (formerly the National Association for Public Interest Law) was formed to educate students and lawyers about public interest opportunities. It works to help law students and new lawyers pursue a career benefiting the public interest.

The National Advisory Committee for Equal Justice Works has 20 members: ten law school administrators and ten students, five of whom are selected each year for a two-year term.

Shirk gained a position on the National Advisory Committee by demonstrating his public interest and academic credentials. He also wrote an essay about how smaller schools can create opportunities for students studying public interest / government law.

Jarrod Shirk grew up in Columbus, OH, and graduated cum laude from OSU with a BS in Business Administration. While at OSU, Shirk played the baritone in the OSU marching band. Upon graduation, Shirk interned for the Ohio House of Representatives Democratic Caucus, and then began a career in marketing. As marketing manager for Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Shirk managed marketing, promotions, and public relations for the major motor sports events and driving school.

Shirk began his legal education as a part-time evening student and became a full-time day student in the fall of 2005. Since then he has been involved in the student organization for Public Interest / Government (PI – Gov) and clerked for the Tobacco Public Policy Center. He also works for Professor Peggy Cordray as a research assistant. In his free time, Shirk enjoys attending OSU football games and participating in OSU alumni band activities. He also is a fan of and aspires to participate in amateur auto racing.

Shirk appreciates the opportunities to participate in moot court and student organizations at Capital University Law School where he feels he can get involved and make a difference. Shirk advises first year law students to use these resources as much as possible. He especially recommends the moot court competition as a valuable opportunity for law students to gain experience outside of the classroom.