Barrister of the Month
Julius L. Carter Julius L. Carter Co., LPA
By Ebony Davenport DBA Editorial Board, Pickrel Schaeffer & Ebeling Co., LPA
I
t is tempting to look at Julius Carter’s career and marvel at his ability to maintain a successful employment law practice as a solo practitioner. The reality, however, is that Julius did not get here without the support he received from family, friends, and last but certainly not least, the support from the legal community. Julius is a summa cum laude graduate with majors in accounting, business, and management. He worked as a civil servant, with 20 years of military and government service prior to practicing law. Many of those civil service years were spent representing federal employees in labor disputes. Unbeknownst to him at the time, it was his civil service experience that would ultimately lead him to law school. Julius dealt with a difficult employment issue that necessitated legal representation. After being involved in an automobile accident and losing his job, Julius hired employment attorney, Robert Laufman,who helped him reach a successful outcome. He regained his job where he later retired. Julius wrote a compelling letter to a nursing home, which later caught the eye of NYU law professor, Peggy Cooper Davis, who encouraged Julius to consider law school. He applied to the University of Dayton School of Law (“UDSL”) and was accepted into the first 2-year accelerated program. While at UDSL, Julius developed close relationships with several professors as well as the dean. Dean Kloppenberg, Prof. Vernelia Randall, Prof. Dennis Greene, and Prof. Susan Elliot were all instrumental in his success as a student and preparing him to enter the profession. Julius fondly remembers conversations he, and other BLSA (Black Law Student Association) students 8
Dayton Bar Briefs April 2020
had with Judge Walter H. Rice. He also remembers being reassured by Judge Mary Huffman (who taught him in class alongside Judge Jeffrey Froelich) that he would pass the Bar exam on the first attempt. Not only did Julius receive support inside the walls of Keller Hall, he received just as much outside the classroom. Julius gained invaluable experience that would go on to shape him into the successful attorney he is today. As a rising 2L, Julius worked with Wright and VanNoy. Julius considers Attorney Michael Wright to be a mentor and his most trusted colleague. During that summer, Attorney Anthony VanNoy allowed Julius to sit second chair on a high-profile criminal case before Judge Gregory Singer. That was an opportunity most law students only dream of. During the school year, Julius was an extern with Judge Barbara Gorman and her staff attorney Candy Anderson. Julius drafted several opinions for Judge Gorman and was able to see local attorneys practice up close. As he approached his final year in law school, Julius spent an entire summer with Judge Michael Hall, who he was able to work closely with and gain invaluable experience. Upon graduating from UDSL, Julius began managing the Cooper family business, a full circle moment indeed since it was Peggy Cooper Davis who first suggested Julius consider law school. After passing the Bar exam, Julius began his solo practice and was mentored by David Greer. The two initially met through the Ohio Supreme Court’s Lawyer to Lawyer mentoring program which pairs newly licensed attorneys with experienced attorneys to help guide new attorneys through the profession. What was supposed to be a one-year commitment has
developed into a years-long mentorship that exists to this day. Julius considers himself fortunate to have Greer as a sounding board and appreciates the guidance throughout the years. Julius is also an active member in the Dayton legal community and has served on committees alongside Harry Beyoglides, a good friend and colleague, throughout the years. After practicing for several years, he was recruited by his former undergraduate professor, Dr. Talbert Grooms who was the Chair of the Civil Services Board. Julius served as a Hearing Officer and Legal Advisor to the Board where he heard and decided cases involving City of Dayton employees. This was his first experience deciding legal issues involving employment, an area he continues to practice in to this day. The support Julius has received since the very beginning of his career has propelled him to his current position. It is no coincidence that his solo practiced has fared as well as it has. It was the steady encouragement he received as a student, especially in his internship and externship opportunities, that equipped him with the necessary tools to build his practice. It only makes sense that Julius would pay it forward, providing the same support to those entering the profession. Wray Blattner invited Julius to join Jamar King, Judge Mary Wiseman, and Judge Michael Newman on the Greater Dayton Area Diversity & Inclusion Legal Roundtable. The roundtable is a think-tank designed to improve diversity and inclusion in the Dayton legal community. As a Roundtable member, Julius has participated in the roundtable’s initiatives to support law continued on page 9
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