Hon. Robert M. Duncan ’52 Receives William K. Thomas Distinguished Jurist Award
Robert M. Duncan, one of the College’s most distinguished alumni, has led a life dedicated to the legal community, his alma mater, and the students of The Ohio State University.
Duncan’s devotion has inspired countless people at the University and is why the Moritz College of Law honored him with the William K. Thomas Distinguished Jurist Award at the Spring Hooding on May 9.
OSU President E. Gordon Gee described Duncan at a 1996 tribute in Duncan’s honor at the College of Law. “To meet him is to enjoy his company. To hear his thoughts is to respect him. To watch him work is to be reminded of one’s own limitations. Throughout his lifetime, and certainly during my time with him, he has proven to be a gifted and compassionate champion of what is good and what is fair.”
Duncan, a native of Urbana, Ohio, earned both his bachelor of science and juris doctor degrees from The Ohio State University. He is a member of the University’s College of Education Hall of Fame and received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the College of Law in 1979.
Duncan began his career in general practice. He then served in succession as an assistant attorney general for the State of Ohio, an attorney examiner for the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, assistant city attorney for the city of Columbus, the chief of the workers’ compensation section of the Ohio Attorney General’s office, and ultimately as chief counsel to the Ohio Attorney General.
His judicial career began when he became a judge in the Franklin County Municipal Court. In 1969, he was elected to the Ohio Supreme Court where he served until his appointment as judge of the U.S. Court of Military Appeals in 1971. In 1974, he was named chief justice of this court. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. It was in this position that Duncan wrote the landmark order ending segregation in the Columbus Public Schools. His fairness, leadership, and accessibility to community groups helped ensure a smooth process of desegregation.
In 1985, Duncan resigned from the judiciary and became partner with the Columbus office of Jones Day. In 1992, he was appointed vice president and general counsel to The Ohio State University. He went on to serve as secretary to the Ohio State University Board of Trustees. He would later serve a nine-year term on the Board of Trustees.
He has devoted substantial hours and energy to Ohio State. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Presidents Club and as chairman of the University Hospital Board. He is a past president of the law school’s Alumni Association, is a former Distinguished Jurist in Residence at Moritz, and serves as an honorary member of the College’s National Council.
Duncan is the recipient of countless awards including the Democracy in Action Award from the League of Women Voters and the Julian Sinclair Smith – Celebration of Learning Award from the Columbus Metropolitan Library.
Judge Duncan and his wife, Shirley, have three children.
