“As a diverse nation of people with different backgrounds and beliefs, democracy holds us together. We are a country rooted in the rule of law, where the protection of the rights of all people is paramount. …. underscoring the importance of compassion, tolerance, pluralism, and respect for others.”
-Statement of 13 Presidential Centers representing former Republican and Democrat U.S. Presidents, September 7, 2023
“Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is sort of a splendid torch which I have a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it over to future generations.” ― George Bernard Shaw
Every week throughout the academic year, we host compelling events that showcase our students, staff, faculty, alumni, and special guests. We have two signature events the next two Fridays that I want to highlight this morning. I hope you’ll join us at both.
This Friday, October 27, from 9:00 am - 4pm, our Cleveland State Law Review will host its 2023 Symposium: Democracy’s Promise and the Fight for its Future. The Law Review Symposium will feature timely conversations about our democracy and its intersections with race, education, and civic engagement. We will discuss a wide spectrum of issues from threats to the rule of law, to voter rights, redistricting, civil rights, and the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on affirmative action.
Join us for a complimentary lunch generously provided by the civil rights law firm, Friedman, Gilbert + Gerhardstein. A reception will be held immediately following the event. Please RSVP on the event website to secure your spot at the 2023 Law Review Symposium!
On Friday, November 3, 2023, 5:30pm, we will host our 6th Annual CSU|LAW Hall of Fame Celebration. See all the 2023 Hall of Fame honorees here. See the invitation below.
Our distinguished 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees have carried the torch of our mission and have made it burn brightly. They have used their voices and their knowledge of the law to make real change and to make a real difference.
Our annual Hall of Fame event gives us the opportunity not only to honor our distinguished inductees, but also to raise much-needed funds for student scholarships and other critical student-focused needs. It is the only annual fundraising event sponsored by the Law School.
Please consider purchasing one or more tickets, be a sponsor, and/or place an ad in the program book to help celebrate one or more of the 2023 inductees. The deadline for ads is tomorrow, Tuesday, October 24.
Dean Lee Fisher and the faculty and staff of CSU College of Law 6th Annual CSU|LAW Hall of Fame Celebration Friday, November 3, 2023 | 5:30 - 8:30 PM CSU|LAW Atrium and Moot Court Room The CSU|LAW Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to honor the outstanding contributions to the success and prestige of our law school by distinguished alumni, faculty, staff, friends and community leaders. |
2023 Honorees
Ann Aber, Class of 2003
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary, JOANN Stores
Tony Asher, Class of 1963
Founder, Weston, Inc.
Steve Auvil, Class of 1993
Office Managing Partner, Cleveland, Squire Patton Boggs
Joyce E. Barrett Class of 1971
Former CSU|LAW Adjunct Professor
Kay E. Benjamin
Former CSU|LAW Staff Member
Terry Billups, Class of 2005
Chief General Counsel, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority
David P. Burke, Class of 1980
Shareholder, Carlton Fields, P.A.; General Counsel, Amalie Oil Company
Hon. Patrick Carroll, Class of 1977
Retired Judge, Lakewood Municipal Court
John S. Cipolla, Class of 1989
Firm Vice Chair, Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP
Hon. John J. Donnelly, Class of 1969
Former Judge, Cuyahoga County Probate Court
Arthur Elk, Class of 1973
Elk + Elk, Managing Partner
Prof. Joel Jay Finer
Former CSU|LAW Faculty Member (Deceased)
Gus Frangos, Class of 1982
President and General Counsel, Cuyahoga Land Bank
Tom Green, Class of 2002
Shareholder, Kastner Westman & Wilkins, LLC.
Lindsay Jenkins, Class of 2002
United States District Judge, Northern District of Illinois
Hon. Diane J. Karpinski, Class of 1980
Former Judge, 8th District Court of Appeals of Ohio (Deceased)
Erica Lazzaro, Class of 2004
Executive Vice President of Publisher Services & General Counsel, OverDrive, Inc.
Jennifer Mountcastle, Class of 2000
Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and Corporate Insurance Director, The Huntington National Bank
Hon. Clifton Newman, Class of 1976
Judge, South Carolina Circuit Court
Susan Petersen, Class of 1997
Partner, Petersen & Petersen
William T. Plesec, Class of 1971
Partner (retired), Jones Day
Renee Tramble Richard, Class of 1988
President, Corporate College; Vice President, Legal Services & Risk Management, General Counsel, Cuyahoga Community College
Hon. Michael J. Ryan, Class of 1996
Judge, 8th District Court of Appeals of Ohio
James Sammon, Class of 1994
Corporate Counsel, Jenne, Inc.
Michael Schwartz
Former President, Cleveland State University and Kent State University
Maria Spangler, Class of 2006
Director, Community Engagement, The Sherwin-Williams Company; Director, The Sherwin-Williams Foundation
Leader on the Rise
Delanté Spencer Thomas, Class of 2016
Chief Ethics Officer, City of Cleveland
Levels of Participation
Purchase tickets or sponsorships at https://csuohio.scalefunder.com/cfund/project/37142
All proceeds will be used to support student scholarships and other critically important student-focused needs.
Hall of Fame Champion ($125,000)
- Event title sponsor
- Innumerable Celebration tickets
- 2 full-page inside and back cover ads in Celebration program
- Event signage recognition
- Program and website listing
- Speaking opportunity
Guardian Of Justice ($50,125)
- 24 Celebration Tickets
- 2 full-page ads with preferred placement in Celebration program
- Event signage recognition
- Program and website listing
Dean's Circle ($25,125)
- 16 Celebration Tickets
- Full-page ad with preferred placement in Celebration program
- Event signage recognition
- Program and website listing
Attorney General ($12,500)
- 10 Celebration Tickets
- Full-page ad in Celebration program
- Event signage recognition
- Program and website listing
Managing Partner ($5,125)
- 6 Celebration tickets
- Full-page ad in Celebration program
- Event signage recognition
- Program and website listing
Partner ($2,500)
- 4 Celebration tickets
- 1/2-page ad in the Celebration program
- Event signage recognition
- Program and website listing
Scholarship Circle ($1,250)
- 4 Celebration tickets
- 1/4-page ad
- Program and website listing
Friend Circle ($525)
- 2 Celebration tickets
- Program and website listing
Supporter Circle ($125)
- 1 Celebration ticket
The views and opinions expressed in my Monday Morning Message are solely my own and do not reflect the views and opinions of the law school or the university.
For copies of past messages, please go to this link: Monday Morning Messages
Subscribe to Monday Morning Message and CSU|LAW Newsletter
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My best,
Lee
Lee Fisher
Dean, Cleveland State University College of Law
Joseph C. Hostetler-BakerHostetler Chair in Law
1801 Euclid Avenue, LB 138 |Cleveland, Ohio 44115 -2214
216-386-8688 | lee.fishernull@csuohio.nulledu