Aug. 7, 2009
Justice Cupp Addresses Law and Leadership Students
At a mock trial and awards dinner Thursday night, Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Robert R. Cupp congratulated a group of about 20 eighth-grade aspiring lawyers for their willingness to devote part of their summer learning about legal concepts and principles.
The event marked the conclusion of the five-week Law and Leadership program, which seeks to improve diversity in the legal profession by sparking an interest in the law among students from underserved communities. In its second year, the program expanded to four additional Ohio cities this summer (Akron, Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo) from the original sites last year in Columbus and Cleveland. About 140 students were involved in the program overall. The Supreme Court serves as one of the program’s sponsors.
Justice Cupp encouraged the Columbus students to continue working hard, excelling in their studies and exploring careers in the law. “These students may not realize it yet, but they are better prepared to pursue a higher education degree and eventually find employment success,” Justice Cupp said. “Some may not go to law school or work in the legal profession, but their dedication this summer certainly expands their opportunities as they plan their future after high school.”
As part of their curriculum, the students learned about criminal and civil law; took field trips to private law firms, government offices and courthouses where lawyers and judges work; and heard speakers from all levels of the judicial system.
Additional partners for the 2009 summer institute included the Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio Center for Law Related Education, the Ohio State Bar Foundation, Ohio’s metropolitan bar associations, city school districts and Ohio’s nine law schools: the University of Akron School of Law, Capital University Law School, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, the University of Cincinnati College of Law, Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, the University of Dayton School of Law, Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law, the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and the University of Toledo College of Law.
Justice Cupp is serving his first term on the Supreme Court of Ohio. An Allen County native, he was a judge on the Ohio Third District Court of Appeals and a State Senator for seven counties in west-central Ohio, a position he held for 16 years. Before being elected to the legislature, Justice Cupp was a Lima City Prosecutor and assistant director of law as well as an Allen County commissioner. He earned his political science degree from Ohio Northern University in 1973 and his law degree from Ohio Northern’s Pettit College of Law in 1976.
For a high-resolution, publication-quality photo of Justice Cupp, visit: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/PIO/news/images/justices/cupp_highres.zip.
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.