He will become president-elect on July 1 and will take office as OSBA president next summer.
Comer hopes the organization can help its members navigate many changes in the profession in the coming years.
“Economically, since 2008, things have significantly changed in how we do business, technology continues to change how we do business and, culturally, we’re experiencing a big shift demographically from Baby Boomers to Millenials,” he said. “The OSBA is in the process of evolving and providing guidance to attorneys so they in turn can navigate their way through these changes and adapt.”
He’d like to see the organization take a more direct role in the economic development of its members as many young lawyers are coming out of school with massive debt and few job opportunities while older attorneys who would like to retire aren’t able to do so because of economic circumstances.
The OSBA is a voluntary association that represents more than 22,000 lawyers and judges in Ohio as well as 4,000 legal assistants and law students.
Of 135 past presidents of the organization, only three have been from Springfield.
John Durfey (1954) and Bitner Browne (1969) were also of Martin, Browne, Hull & Harper. Daniel Rosenthal held the position in 1975.
“It’s truly an honor, it’s a privilege,” Comer said. “And its really meaningful that it’s something good for the community, for Clark County and for Springfield.”
Comer is a Springfield native and 1988 graduate of Springfield North High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston in 1993 and his law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 2000.
He currently serves as chair of the Clark County Mental Health Foundation and as a trustee for the Community Health Foundation. He also serves on the Springfield Foundation’s Governance Committee and the Selective Service Board.
His wife Tamara is a local Realtor, and they have three children Grace, 13; Grant, 12; and Matthew, age 3.
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