VOLUNTEER LAWYERS OF THE YEAR

Cincinnati Bar Association Lawyer of the Year

(From L to R) Laura Crosthwaite, Richard D. Porotsky, Jr., Molly Russell, and Jenny Zellars.

The Volunteer Lawyers Project is pleased to honor Richard D. Porotsky with the 2025 Volunteer Lawyer of the Year Award. Rick, a litigation partner at Dinsmore, specializes in complex business matters including private equity, minority shareholder issues, international dispute resolution, and insurance coverage issues.

Rick’s commitment to providing the same quality of service to his pro bono clients as he does his corporate clients is evidenced by the excellent results he achieves. In one case, Rick’s determined advocacy ensured his low-income client was able to maintain a safe, healthy, livable home after a defective roof replacement. In another case, he litigated against a landlord who did not address unsafe housing conditions and who then retaliated by filing an eviction case against Rick’s client. Thanks to Rick’s efforts, his client obtained the necessary repairs and was able to keep his housing.

Congratulations, Rick, and thank you for your dedication to your pro bono clients!

2003 Eric D. Bender
2003 Harry B. Zornow (Butler County)
2002 Edward G. Marks
2002 Timothy Evans (Butler County)
2001 Randolph Freking
2001 Judge Leslie Spillane (Butler County)
2000 Rose Ann Fleming
2000 Bradley Carmella (Butler County)
1999 Michael A. Roberts (Graydon, Head & Ritchey)
1998 Steven D. Knittle
1997 Edmund J. Adams, Douglas Halpert (Frost & Jacobs)
1996 Tom Gaier
1995 Stacie Seiler, Binem Dizenhuz (Thompson, Hine & Flory)
1994 Robert Cloud, Francis McCune
1993 Steve Cohen
1992 Julia Sears
1991 Robert Owens
1990 Mike Walton
1989 Stan Hirtle
1988 Terry Weber
1987 Margaret Reis, Margaret Stigler
1986 Lewis Seiler
1985 Cathy Cook
1984 John Norwine
1983 Peter Thompson
1982 Harry Santen