Sept. 29, 2009
Sixth District Judge Hears Supreme Court Case
Judge Thomas J. Osowik of the Sixth District Court of Appeals served as a visiting judge today on the Supreme Court of Ohio and heard oral arguments in an Allen County attorney discipline case.
Judge Osowik was selected by Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer to sit in place of Justice Robert R. Cupp, who recused himself from Allen County Bar Association v. Christi Brown (Case No. 2009-1230).
According to the Ohio Constitution, in the event of a recusal by a Justice, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court can select any of the 68 sitting Ohio appellate court judges to sit temporarily on the Supreme Court.
“We are pleased to have Judge Osowik join us today,” Chief Justice Moyer said. “His participation provides the parties in the case with a court of seven justices despite the recusal of Justice Cupp.”
The Brown case involved allegations of repeated failures by Brown to perform work on her client’s behalf after having received a fee for her services and repeated failures to respond to phone calls and letters from her client.
Currently serving his first term on the appeals court after his election in 2006, Judge Osowik was a trial judge for 15 years in Toledo Municipal Court and Lucas County Common Pleas Court. Judge Osowik’s legal career has also included more than eight years as a practicing attorney and service as an assistant attorney general for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. A life-long Toledo resident, Judge Osowik received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Toledo in 1977 and his law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1981.
“It is a great honor and privilege to be selected by the Chief Justice to serve the Court,” said Judge Osowik.
The Sixth District Court of Appeals serves Erie, Fulton, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Williams, and Wood counties, and hears cases from county, municipal and common pleas courts as well as original actions in habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, procedendo and quo warranto.
Archived video of this case and every case argued before the Supreme Court since March 2004 is available in the video archive.
For a high resolution, publication-quality photo of Judge Osowik, please visit: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/PIO/news/2009/osowik_highres.zip.
Media Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.925.