Law School Alumni Luncheon Honors Distinguished Graduates

The College of Law Alumni Association Annual Spring Luncheon will celebrate Ann Marie Tracey, John P. Williams, Jr., and Stanley E. Harper, Jr. (posthumously) as the 2007 University of Cincinnati College of Law Distinguished Alumni. The luncheon will be held on Friday, April 20 at 12:15 pm at the Phoenix in downtown Cincinnati.

The 2007 honorees join a long list of previous recipients of the award that include Stanley M. Chesley, Ambassador Richard P. Kinneary, William J. Keating, Dr. H. Elsie Austin, Professor Marianna Brown Bettman, and the Honorable Theodore M. Berry. College of Law Distinguished Alumni are nominated and selected by their peers.

Judge Ann Marie Tracey, a 1975 graduate of the College of Law, has led an impressive career in public service, as well as in higher education and legal education. She broke new ground in her career, serving as the first woman on the Hamilton County (OH) Court of Common Pleas General Division Bench for over 14 years. While in this position, she became actively engaged in promoting the judicial system and legal education. Her love for education eventually led her to join Xavier University as an assistant professor of business law and ethics. There, she excelled, being named the Williams College of Business "Teacher of the Year in 2004.

Decorated Marine commander, distinguished attorney, and business and community leader John Williams is well-known for his ability to build coalitions and consensus among organizations. A 1966 graduate of the law school, Williams is a Cincinnati native. Upon graduation from law school, he began his career at local firm Taft, Stettinius & Hollister as an associate.

 A year later, he was called to serve with the United States Marine Corp, principally as an infantry officer. In 1984 his professional career took a turn when he became President/CEO of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. Utilizing his legal education and the skills honed as an attorney, Williams focused his attention on the economic growth of the greater Cincinnati region and developed regional collaborations with other chambers and public/private sector organizations.

Well-known for his "Harperisms," unique expressions he developed to illustrate a point of law, Professor Stanley Harper is lauded as a mentor, outstanding legal educator, and a good friend. This award is being given posthumously.

A 1948 graduate of the law school, Harper is well remembered for his exceptional teaching ability. His legendary quick wit and sense of humor has caused him to go down in law school history as one of the most popular classroom teachers in the history of the College.

Harper, too, served in the military, touring with the United States Navy during World War II. At the end of the war, he returned to Cincinnati, becoming the first of his family to receive an education beyond formal high school training. After graduating from law school, he went into private practice and began a part-time teaching career at Chase Law School. He soon became on of Chase’s first full-time professors. He joined the UC Law faculty in 1961 and became an invaluable member of the UC Law educational community, focusing his teaching efforts on the areas of remedies, torts, and civil procedure. His success at bringing out the best in his students is evidenced by the fact he was awarded the Goldman Prize for Excellence in Teaching—twice.

Outside of the law school, he was staff director for the committee which wrote the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure and sat on numerous legal committees, including the Ohio Rules of Evidence, the Rules of Appellate Procedure, and the Court of Claims Rules.

Harper retired in 1987, supported by the accolades of hundreds of law students he touched. Professor Harper passed away on March 17, 2006, leaving a mark on the legal profession and the lives of those he called "my students."

For more information about the College of Law’s Spring Alumni Luncheon and to make a reservation call 513-556-0071, or e-mail Lauren.scharf@uc.edu. More in-depth information about our honorees may be obtained at www.law.uc.edu.