Senators Brown, Voinovich endorse Toledo lawyer Helmick for district court

8/26/2010
BLADE STAFF

Ohio's two U.S. senators yesterday endorsed Toledo lawyer Jeffrey Helmick for an open seat on the U.S. District Court in Toledo.

Sens. Sherrod Brown (D) and George Voinovich (R) announced they would recommend Mr. Helmick to replace Judge James Carr, who went on senior status June 1.

The recommendation is based on the work of a 17-member judicial advisory commission assembled by the two senators, according to a spokesman for Mr. Brown.

Attorney Jeffrey Helmick in a 2007 file photo.
Attorney Jeffrey Helmick in a 2007 file photo.

"Jeffrey Helmick is an outstanding lawyer whose commitment to the law and to the Toledo community is second to none," Mr. Brown said.

The appointment moves to the desk of President Obama, whose nomination must be confirmed by the Senate.

Mr. Voinovich said of Mr. Helmick: He "is a qualified candidate, who would bring years of legal experience and expertise to the bench."

Mr. Helmick said he was "deeply honored and humbled to have the confidence of Senators Brown and Voinovich," according to a prepared statement from Mr. Brown's office.

Nancy Rogers, former dean of the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University and chairman of the commission, lauded Mr. Helmick for his "commitment to integrity and excellence."

"He treats people with respect whether they are on the opposite or same side in litigation and regardless of their station," said Ms. Rogers, who also applauded his volunteer work.

Mr. Helmick received his law degree from OSU, where he was editor-in-chief of the Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution. He is a principal in the law firm Gamso, Helmick & Hoolahan in Toledo.

He served on the Ohio Supreme Court Commission on Continuing Education and is a member of the U.S. Attorney's Advisory Council for the Northern District of Ohio, according to the statement.

District courts hear both civil and criminal trial cases.