About us

About the Lucas County Bar Association (LCBA)

The Lucas County Bar Association is a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization dedicated to serving the local legal community since 1928. With over 300 diverse members, our mission is to foster professionalism, provide quality continuing legal education, and encourage service to the public. We are proudly known as one of the friendliest and most welcoming bar associations in Ohio.

The Heart of the LCBA: The Toledo Way

Our association is built upon the "Toledo Way of practicing law"—an aspirational ideal characterized by:

• Extraordinary Civility toward opposing counsel.

• Respect for the Court and the legal process.

• Mentorship and Collegiality that creates instant connections among fellow attorneys and judges.

This tradition defines our legal community and sets a high standard of professionalism that benefits both practitioners and clients alike.

Membership & Community

Our membership represents the full spectrum of practice areas, settings, and years of experience. The LCBA is entirely run through the dedication of volunteer Officers and Executive Council members.

Key Benefits

• Networking & Referrals: Consistent opportunities to build professional relationships and exchange client referrals.

• Weekly Luncheons: A welcome feeling at our weekly luncheons featuring intelligent speakers and engaging topics.

• Honors & Recognition: Our members have been recognized as past recipients and nominees for prestigious honors from the Ohio State Bar Association and Toledo Bar Association.

Community Service

The LCBA has a proud history of co-sponsoring numerous events with local bar leaders, including:

• The annual Memorial Service and Diversity Luncheon (with the Toledo Bar Association).

• The Big Unwind (with the Toledo Women's Bar Association).

• Naturalization Service for new U.S. Citizens (with the federal bar).

Joining the LCBA

Guests are always welcome to drop in at a weekly luncheon meeting and enjoy their first lunch for free!

For more information on joining, please visit our Membership page.

Lucas County Bar Association Past Presidents:

* = deceased

2025: Steve Casiere

2024: Holly Matthews

2023: James O'Brien

2022: Hon. Jack R. Puffenberger

2021: Thomas E. Luettke

2020: Chad M. Thompson

2019: Timothy W. Effler

2018: Craig M. Witherell (Note: also Toledo Bar Association President 2025)

2017: Matthew Simko

2016: Tonya Robinson

2015: Paul R. Syring

2014: Megan McNulty

2013: D. Lee Johnson

2012: Rick Baum

2011: Jean Ann S. Sieler

2010: Joanne Rubin

2009: Beverly Cox

2008: Joe Westmeyer III

2007: John Mattimoe

2006: Patricia Hayden Kurt

2005: John Wanick

2004: Hon. Connie F. Zemmelman (Note: also Toledo Bar Association President 2013)

2003: Jill Hayes

2002: David Dennis

2001: Richard Friedmar

2000: Susan Hartman Muska

1999: Dennis Sawan, Sr.

1998: Mike Mikkonen

1997: Steven Lauer

1996: Nancy Miller

1995: Kevin Heban

1994: C. Drew Griffith

1993: Francis Landry

1992: Eddie M. Cole

1991: Gregory Arnold

1990: Thomas Stebbins

1989: John Landry

1988: Randall C. Dixon (Note: also Toledo Bar Association President 2014)

1987: Margaret Weisenburger

1986: John Gouttiere

1985: Louis Zavac*

1984: Charles E. Racine*

1983: Charles Stupsker*

1982: Warren Rayman*

1981: James Markwood*

1980: Richard Kolb

1979: Robert Dixon*

1978: John Wetli

1977: Edward Clark

1976: Louis Hattner*

1975: Matt Kolb, Jr.*

1974: George Fell

1973: Ted Kwiatkowski*

1972: John Wasserman

1971: John "Bull Dog" Rust*

1970: David Schnorf*

1969: George Strassner*

1968: James Fox*

1967: William Driscoll*

1966: Warren Wolfe*

1965: Jude Sutter*

1964: George Ferstle*

1963: Harry Feldman*

1962: Thaddius Walinski*

1961: M. Robert Kopf*

1960: John Eastman*

1959: Moe Okun*

1958: Edward Harris*

1957: Robert Morris*

1956: Gerald Ryan*

1955: Jamille G. Jamra* (Note: also Toledo Bar Association President 1961)

1954: Walter Kohn*

1953: Matt Kolb, Sr.* (Note: also Toledo Bar Association President 1965)

1952: William Burgess*

1951: Arthur Brunskill*

1950: Harry Hood*

1949: Edwin Barger*

1948: Louis Lebo*

1947: James Easley*

1946: E. Jack Erwin*

1945: Dennis Drennan*

1944: Amos Conn*

1943: Robert A. Kelb* (Note: also Toledo Bar Association President 1968)

1942: Robert Mefley*

1941: A.E. Simmons*

1940: Clarence Ducey*

1939: Royal Binzer*

1938: Edward Buckenmeyer*

1937: John Forshey*

1936: George Taylor*

1935: Arthur Cline* (Note: also Toledo Bar Association President 1945)

1934: Eugene Rheinfrank*

1928-33: Stephen Brophy*