The Judge-in-Residence program started in the early 1980's as a memorial in honor of U.C. Law alumnus, Smith Tyler, Jr., who was one of Cincinnati's leading trial lawyers. This tribute was the brainchild of U.S. District Judge Carl B. Rubin and attorney Lawrence A. Kane, Jr., who had been partners with Mr. Tyler in the law firm Tyler, Kane & Rubin. When Judge Rubin was elevated to the District Court by President Richard Nixon in 1970, Messrs. Tyler and Kane joined Dinsmore & Shohl, where both had highly public and colorful practices until their respective deaths.
At a time when law schools generally provided little opportunity for students to see litigation close up, Judge Rubin started by scheduling a short trial from his docket to be tried on campus, with the attorneys and judge available for dialogue with the students following the sessions. Over time, a number of well-known jurists and attorneys tried cases on campus, providing a unique litigation experience unlike the then-typical law school curriculum.
With the death of both Judge Rubin and Mr. Kane in the mid-1990's, the program became something of a tribute to all three former partners. As the College of Law developed more experiential opportunities, the program was modified. Now, renowned judges are invited to be in residence for several days, to attend classes and be available to students in a variety of settings. This program provides a unique access to the judiciary and to both the theoretical and practical aspects of judicial decision-making.
Judges
2010 — Hon. Rosemary Barkett
2009 — Hon. Thomas B. Griffith
2008 — Hon. Shirley S. Abrahamson
2007 — Hon. R. Guy Cole Jr.
2006 — Hon. Jeffrey S. Sutton
2005 — Hon. Martha Craig Daughtrey
1997 — Hon. Walter H. Rice
1996 — Hon. Michael R. Merz
1995 — Hon. Sandra S. Beckwith
1993 — Hon. George C. Smith
1992 — Hon. William O. Bertelsman
1991 — Hon. S. Arthur Spiegel
1990 — Hon. James L. Graham
1989 — Hon. Norman S. Black
1988 — Hon. Herman J. Weber
1987 — Hon. Hubert S. Will
1986 — Hon. Carl B. Rubin
1985 — Hon. Hon. S. Arthur Spiegel
1984 — Hon. Gilbert Bettman
1983 — Hon. Carl B. Rubin