|
|
DEDICATION AT OHIO JUDICIAL CENTER HONORS HERBERT R. BROWN
A portrait of notable author and former Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Herbert Russell Brown was dedicated today during a special ceremony in the Supreme Court Courtroom at the Ohio Judicial Center.
The dedication ceremony was attended by more than 200 of Brown's colleagues, family and close friends, former Supreme Court Justices Robert M. Duncan and Deborah L. Cook, as well as all seven Justices of the Supreme Court. Remarks were offered by Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer and Justice Alice Robie Resnick, as well as Brown's former colleagues James P. Kennedy and Robert W. Werth, of the Columbus law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease.
“This is a very happy occasion for Herb Brown and his family,” said Chief Justice Moyer, who began his first term on the Court the same year as Justice Brown in 1987. “It represents years of service and is a commemoration of the fact that someone has had the privilege to serve on the highest court in the state.”
Brown's portrait was painted by artist Jennifer Leslie of Round Rock, Texas, who also was commissioned to do the portraits of Supreme Court Justices Asher William Sweeney and Craig Wright. Justice Brown's portrait, which is the 44th piece in the collection of Supreme Court of Ohio Justice portraits, will be hung on the west wall at the north end of the Supreme Court's Law Library.
“I present this to you with hope that some day you might join me on the wall,” Brown told the Justices. Brown, 75, served on the Supreme Court from 1987 to 1993 and has described his time on the Court as one of the most interesting, rewarding and challenging jobs of his life.
Brown was born on Sept. 27, 1931, in Columbus to Thomas Newton and Irene Hankinson Brown, both public school teachers. He received a bachelor of arts in 1953 from Denison University and a juris doctorate in 1956 from the University of Michigan.
In the 1950s, Brown served in the Army Judge Advocates General office and the Defense Appellate Division of the Pentagon. In 1959, Brown was awarded the Commendation Medal and the Ribbon Medal pendant.
Brown spent most of his legal career with the Columbus firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, first as and associate and then as a partner. He was a trial lawyer and is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Justice Brown also served as an examiner with the Ohio State Bar from 1962 to 1972, the District Court Bar from 1968 to 1971, and the Multi-State Bar from 1971 to 1976. In 1982, Brown left the Vorys firm to devote his time to writing novels and plays.
Brown's former colleagues Kennedy and Werth of Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, painted Brown as a devoted fan of The Ohio State University “Buckeyes,” an avid outdoorsman, a talented trial lawyer, and a devoted friend.
“What is it about Herb that makes him so special,” Kennedy asked. “It's his unique ability to make all people feel comfortable and to make friends. He has friends from all walks of life. He's had many adversaries, but no enemies.”
Werth said he learned a lot from Brown who he said was an excellent mentor and teacher to young attorneys. He described him as the “eternal optimist” when it came to arguing a case or rooting for his favorite sports teams.
“If anyone deserves a portrait dedication in a wonderful place like this, it's Herb Brown,” Werth said.
In 1986, Herbert Brown was elected to the Supreme Court to a seat vacated by Clifford F. Brown but continued to write. In 1991 Brown found a publisher for his novel Presumption of Guilt. It met with success, and Brown decided to return to a life of writing and not run for reelection, departing the bench at the end of 1992.
Justice Resnick, who was elected to the Supreme Court two years after Brown, sat on the bench as a Supreme Court Justice for the last time today. She said she was touched by Brown's request of her to offer remarks at the ceremony.
“Herb's sense of fairness was legendary,” Justice Resnick said. “He never approached a case with a preconceived idea. I was impressed with that quality in you. You were remarkable to work with.”
Resnick said Brown's writing ability was evident in his opinions, which were concise and well written.
Brown published the book Shadows of Doubt in 1994, and several plays including Power of God in 2002, which was produced by the Contemporary American Theatre Company in Columbus. Brown later wrote his first full-length play, You're My Boy, about the relationship between Richard Nixon and Dwight Eisenhower shaping the political landscape of the United States and the world during the middle to late 20th century. His other works include Peace with Honor and Mano a Mano. In addition to writing, Brown taught as an adjunct professor at the Michael E. Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University.
Brown is married to Beverly Ann Jenkins and the couple has two sons, David Herbert Brown and Andrew Jenkins Brown.
For a high-resolution, publication-quality photo from the dedication ceremony, please click on the above photo or visit: http://www.supremecourtofohio.gov/Communications_Office/Press_Releases/2006/dedication_highres.zip.
Contact: Chris Davey or Andrea M. Strle at 614.387.9250.