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Pro Bono Practice Earns Toledo Resident Ohio State Moritz Law Community Service Award

Mike Briley '69 receives award

August 25, 2005

 

The angel carving atop Toledo resident Mike Briley's mantle is the gift of a boy who learned to whittle from his adoptive uncle. Arriving nearly a year after the adoption handled by Briley, the enclosed note said simply, "You are my angel." It serves as silent testimony to the lives that have been changed through Briley's pro bono practice.

Briley, a 1969 graduate of the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University, received the college's Community Service Award on Friday, August 19 at a reception for new students in the college's new Barrister Club, located at 25 West 11th Avenue.

The award is presented to the Moritz College of Law alumnus/a who has volunteered significant and sustained time and expertise to assist a local, state, national, or international humanitarian organization.

The pro bono practice that earned the Toledo attorney the award began when a friend wanted to adopt a child. A problem solver at heart, Briley offered to handle it. A specialist in litigation and antitrust and trade regulation with Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, Mike had to master a completely new area of law.

"The work was so satisfying and joyous, I wanted to do it again," says Mike, and so he has for many years through the Toledo Bar Association Pro Bono Legal Service Program.

Mike Briley '69, of Toledo, talks with new students at the Moritz College of Law after he received the Moritz College of Law Community Service Award on August 19.

Mike's community service extends beyond adoption. Early in his practice, Mike was chair of the OSBA's Antitrust Board of Governors. He was also actively involved in ABA 's section on antitrust. Mike spent a lot of time researching and organizing materials to do the related public speaking. It was a small next step to publish his presentations. He has co-authored a book, and has had his work published in three law reviews and a host of bar, trade, and conference publications.

Mike also finds time to volunteer as an Ohio Bar Examiner. Appointed by Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Alice Robie Resnick in 1997, he has completed one five-year term and is in the midst of his second. In addition to drafting bar questions and model answers, he serves on the subcommittee that deals with requests from bar applicants with disabilities who need non-standard accommodation for the bar examination.

Mike chose a career in law so he could help people, and through that process has consistently demonstrated the highest ideals of the profession. The 2005-2006 Moritz Community Service Award recognizes his service to clients, students, and the profession.

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