James G. Keys, Jr., born October 12, 1949, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; admitted to bar 1976 (Ohio and Federal)  Education:  University of Cincinnati (J.D., 1976);  The Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio (B.S. Bus Admin/Marketing, with honors, 1971);   Experience:  Former Magistrate/Referee, Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, Hamilton County, Ohio;  Former Assistant Ohio Attorney General;  Former Special Counsel, State of Ohio;    

Professional: Ohio State Bar Association; American Bar Association; West Chester Chamber Alliance; SEBC Leadership 21 Class of 2003-2004;      

Publications:  "Estate Planning Tools You Should Know About" - The Voice published by the West Chester Chamber Alliance, August 2005;  "Estate Planning: The Revocable Living Trust vs. The Testamentary Will"- The N.E. Chamber Navigator, June 2005; "Selecting the Right Legal Structure For Your Business" - SEBC Chamber Voice, June, 2003;  “CEO’s Launch Greater Cincinnati Minority Counsel Program” – CBA Reports, April, 1999;  “Online Law – Jurisdiction” – Small Business News Journal, November, 1997; 

Community Service:

Current:

Former:

  • Board of Directors, Wetherington Golf & Country Club (V.P. & Legal Counsel, 2000 - 2009), West Chester, Ohio; 

  • Board of Visitors, Univ of Cint. College of Law (1998 - 2009);

  • Board of Trustees, Cincinnati Bar Association;  Chair, Membership Services Committee, 1998 – 2002, during which period the CBA:  1) expanded membership services four fold; and 2) purchased a downtown building which serves as the current CBA Office Center;  

  • Ohio State Bar Association – Member, Council of Delegates, 2001-2003;

  • Co-founder and Chair, Greater Cincinnati Minority Counsel Program http://www.gcmcp.org/history.asp  1998-2005;  Featured in American Bar Association's National Resource Guide of "Best Practice" Programs to Advance Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Legal Profession, July 2000;

  • President, Cincinnati Recreation Commission Foundation, 1998-2005;

  • President, CRC Commission, 1981 – 1993, during which period CRC:

-Developed the Sawyer Point Riverfront Recreation Facilities at Bicentennial Commons & Riverwalk;

-Built/remodeled recreation centers, including Dunham, LeBlond, OTR, Bond Hill, Camp Washington, Pleasant Ridge, Ebersole, Saylor Park, etc.

-Expanded Glenview Golf Course to 27 holes;

-Hosted the National Amateur Publinks Championship at Glenview;

-Developed the new Rowing Fitness Center on Eastern Avenue;

-Expanded Dunham Recreation Complex & Airport Rec Center at Lunken;

-Hosted the Metropolitan Tennis Championships;

-Co-produced the “Riverfest” end-of-summer fireworks celebration in conjunction with private sponsors;

-Co-produced Taste of Cincinnati;

-Co-produced the “Tall Stacks” riverboat celebrations; 

  • 2003-2004 Lecturer Series: "Structuring Your Business For Success - Protecting Your Personal and Business Assets - Limiting Your Liability"; 
  • Ohio Statewide Minority Business Development Center (MED WEEK 2003);

  • "Women Mean Business", Greater Cincinnati Women's Chamber of Commerce 2003 Annual Conference;

  • Clermont County Chamber of Commerce, BDI 2004 seminars; 2004;

  • Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce, BDI 2004 seminars;