By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Being an attorney is a tough and sometimes thankless job, but three local lawyers were recognized for their decades of work Monday.
The Ohio State Bar Association District 5 recognized Richard Cory and Michael Kennedy of Bucyrus and John Berger of Crestline for their years practicing law during the annual meeting at Trillium Event Center. Cory was recognized for his 65 years as a law practitioner while Berger and Kennedy both received plaques for being 50-year practitioners.
“Most of it was enjoyable,” Cory said about his career.
He practices at Cory & Cory with his son David. Cory also previously served as the Bucyrus City Solicitor.
“You never think you’re going to get to this level,” Kennedy said. “I guess the only answer to that is you live long enough, you do it. Fifty years in this profession is a tough ride. Lot of time, lot of hours.”
Kennedy noted that he was a third-generation lawyer – he followed in his father and grandfather’s footsteps – but the tradition would end with him. He has served as a Municipal Court judge and a magistrate for Common Pleas Court in Crawford County.
“I started, I’m here, and that’s it,” Berger succinctly said. “I’m still going.”
Berger retired as the New Washington village solicitor in December of 2015 after serving in that role since the 1970s, though he continues his work with his private practice at Garner & Berger Law Office in Crestline.
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“As lawyers – and as problem solvers – I think we are responsible for being leaders in our society,” said County Prosecutor Matt Crall, who also serves as president of the Crawford County Bar Association. “We are leaders and I think we should all take the abilities that God has given us and use those to help make our society a better place.”
Jasper Burt of Marion and Dominic Chieffo of Powell were also recognized for their 50 years of practicing law while Mark Fowler of Delaware received the Ohio State Bar Foundation Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under. The OSBA District 5 is comprised of lawyers from Crawford, Delaware, Marion, Morrow, Seneca, and Wyandot counties.