The Dayton Bar Association offers a comprehensive array of over 30 committees divided into Substantive, Administrative and Service categories.

Our committees provide members the opportunity to serve the legal profession and the community, hone their skills in specific practice areas and enjoy social activities.

Committee members are the backbone of the DBA. Each member is encouraged to participate in at least one committee and you can join anytime during the year!

Listed below are all of the DBA committees and the chair of each (as of July 1, 2007).

Click on ">>More Information" below the Chair's name
to link to that Committee's webpage.

Substantive Committees
Appellate Court Practice
Eli W. Kiefaber, Chair

Bankruptcy & Commercial Law
Wayne P. Novick, Chair

Business Law & Taxation
Lance A. Gildner, Chair

Civil Trial Practice & Alternative Dispute Resolution
Brian L. Wildermuth, Chair

Corporate Counsel (In-House Counsel)
Jennifer L. Jung, Chair

Criminal Law & Its Enforcement
Cheryll A. Bennett, Chair

Domestic Relations
Andrew D. Lucia, Chair

Employee Benefits
Edward C. Redder, Chair

Environmental Law
Daniel A. Brown, Chair

Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
John E. Clough, Chair

Federal Practice
David P. Pierce, Chair

Juvenile Law
Josie A. Olsvig, Chair

Labor & Employment Law
Matthew D. Stokely, Chair

Law & Technology
Katherine L. Early, Chair
>>More Information

Real Property
Scott A. Liberman, Chair

Workers' Compensation / Social Security
Joseph E. Gibson, Chair

Service Committees
Congeniality within the Profession
Develop and plan events of mutual interest to all members for socializing with peers, e.g., dinner parties, picnics, special performances, sporting events, etc.
Andrew J. Reitz, Chair

Dayton Bar Briefs Editorial Board
Plan, review and write for the DBA's official publication.
Erin E. Rhinehart, Chair

Diversity Issues
Examine issues of diversity in the profession, and propose solutions to perceived problems.
Jacqueline V. Brown, Chair

Fee Dispute Arbitration
Evaluate requests to arbitrate disputes concerning fees between attorneys/clients and attorneys/attorneys and carry out such arbitrations when appropriate.
John M. Ruffolo, Chair

Judiciary, Committee on the
Review, evaluate and screen all applicantions of candidates for appointment to judicial vacancies in Montgomery County; submit recommendations to local party and Governor; conduct preference polls with DBA members regarding candidates for General Election. (NOTE: Judges may not serve on this committee).
Shawn M. Blatt, Chair

Member Services and Development
Responsible for the recruitment and retention of membership and development of services for DBA members.
Joseph L. Feller, Chair

Paralegal
Allicia R. Moritz, Chair

Partners in the Profession
In partnership with the University of Dayton School of Law, serve as mentors to first-year law school students through graduation with the focus on professionalism and ethics as well as real world skills that will enable the students to 'bridge the gap' after graduation.
Christopher R. Conard, Chair

Public Service Programs/Public Perception of Lawyers
Provide oversight of public service programs; explore methods of enhancing the public perception of the law and lawyers.
Jason E. Treherne, Chair

Relations with Health Care Providers
Work to improve the relationships between doctors and lawyers to help them better understand each other's needs and roles.
Wayne E. Waite, Chair

Solo/Small Office Practitioners
This committee provides an opportunity to exchange ideas, share methods of law office economics and plan CLE seminars of particular interest to this group.
Mark A. Tuss, Chair

Young Lawyers Division
Open to attorneys admitted to practice less than 8 years. Provides an opportunity to exchange ideas, encourage use of mentor programs to develop excellent practice skills, promote the importance of involvement in the Bar as well as community, plan CLE seminars of particular interest to this group and organize welcome events and functions for new admittees, etc.
Chad E. Burton, Chair

Administrative Committees
Bar Exam and Qualifications
Investigate character, reputation and moral qualifications of applicants who wish to take the Ohio Bar exam or be admitted by reciprocity -- Rules for the Gov't. of the Bar of Ohio, Rule 1, Admission to the Practice of Law.
Michael S. Bailes, Chair

Eikenbary Advisory Board
Screen applicants seeking loans or grants from the Eikenbary Trust. At least one member of the committee may be a past loan recipient.
Frank B. Williams, III, Chair

Judges' Committee on Notaries Public
Grade monthly exams of applicants, investigate complaints involving misuse or unauthorized use of notary commissions.
Scott A. Liberman, Chair

Professional Ethics
Investigate complaints against attorneys; evaluate proposed amendments to the Code of Professional Responsibility and Rule V of the Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio.

Unauthorized Practice of Law
Responsible for investigating any matter referred to the committee or which comes to its attention, and may cause a complaint to be filed where the unauthorized practice of law is found (Rules for the Gov't. of the Bar of Ohio, Rule VII).
Leonard J. Bazelak, Chair

Please contact Carol Blevins, Committee Coordinater with any questions you have regarding committee membership.