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Youngstown police detective among 2015 OSBA Leadership Academy graduates
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: September 2, 2015
Throughout his life, retired U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Colonel and Youngstown Police Department Det. Sgt. Donald Patrick Scott has sought to improve his knowledge and skill set, while embracing new challenges.
Now he’s following the same path as a new attorney, graduating from The Ohio State Bar Association Leadership Academy in July.
“I believe that any opportunity to learn is a good opportunity,” said Scott, a sole practitioner in Youngstown who focuses on probate law. “The academy provides solid civilian public leadership skills and I am interested in obtaining a leadership position, perhaps in local or state government.”
The OSBA started its Leadership Academy about six years ago to train younger lawyers to take on key roles at the bar association as well as in the profession and the community.
The program takes place over a seven-month period and covers issues such as ethics and professionalism, access to justice, community service and economic development.
In 2015 there were 18 graduates, who had the chance to meet with and learn from members of the bench and the bar as well as state and local government officials.
“Participants meet once a month for an entire day,” said Ken Brown, senior director of public affairs and communications strategies at the OSBA. “They get the opportunity to spend the day in the Ohio Supreme Court and get to know people from some of the larger firms in the state.”
To apply, a person has to be an attorney and must be nominated by those with firsthand knowledge of his/her leadership abilities. Candidates are required to complete an application and describe their activities in the legal profession and community. The president of the OSBA has the final say on whether to extend an invitation.
Class size is limited to 20 to 24 lawyers, who have usually been practicing between five and 10 years. Only one participant per firm is chosen based on factors such as the candidate’s stated commitment to the goals of the academy, demonstrated interaction with the legal and civic communities and diversity (geographic, gender, ethnic, racial, age, disability).
Tuition is $950 and full and partial scholarships are available. Participants receive continuing legal education credits.
According to Brown, not everyone who is accepted is actively practicing law. In some cases, the participants may be using their legal training in a different capacity but they want to remain actively involved in the profession. “The program has been very successful and those who have come through it have given it high marks,” said Brown.
In Scott’s case, he was born and raised in Youngstown. After graduating from South High School, he attended the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in Mahoning County and Youngstown State University simultaneously.
In 1982, he graduated from the academy and received an associate’s degree in applied science in police science technology. Two years later, he got a bachelor of science from YSU in applied science in law enforcement administration.
He joined the United States Army Reserve in June 1984, earning many military awards and civilian commendations before honorably retiring in July 2012. During his military career, Scott was ordered to active service in support of operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom.
Scott said he is most proud of having received a right shoulder patch after temporary duty in the active warzone of Afghanistan on special assignment.
Between January 1987 and the spring of 1989, Scott was a member of the U.S. Capitol Police Force in Washington, D.C. He joined the Youngstown Police Department as a patrolman in 1989.
“Donald Scott always distinguished himself by his abilities,” said Youngstown Police Chief Robin Lees. “He’s task-oriented, honest and always willing to take on additional duties.”
“Donald Scott was an outstanding leader,” said retired Army Lt. Colonel James Norvell, who worked for Scott when he was commander of Company B in the 128th Military Intelligence Battalion in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
“He was very well respected by everyone in the company,” said Norvell. “Everyone trusted Donald. He was the kind of leader I would have no trouble following into a war.”
Norvell said Scott was always looking out for people. In fact in November 1990 Scott introduced Norvell to his wife, Cheryl. At the time, Norvell was living in the Washington, D.C. area and Scott was in town to run the Marine Corps Marathon.
“He came to town to run a race and he was worried about my social life,” said Norvell.
In 1998, Scott enrolled in the Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, attending classes on nights and weekends. While he received his juris doctor in 2002, he did not take the bar exam for several years.
“During law school 911 happened, and after I graduated, I received an active duty assignment,” said Scott.
“When I got back I took the bar, but it did take a few tries because a number of years had gone by since I graduated,” said Scott who received his law license in 2008.
He is a member of American, Ohio State, The Mahoning County and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar associations. He also belongs to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 28 in Youngstown, The American Legion/American Veterans (AMVETS) and is a lifetime member of both the Reserve Officers Association of the United States and the Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association.
At The Mahoning County Bar Association, Scott sits on the Unauthorized Practice of Law and Certified Grievance committees.
“I got to know Donald about 20 years ago when he was a patrol officer,” said Youngstown Municipal Court Judge Robert Milich.
“He is a unique individual with a very high work ethic. If you want something done, he is your go-to person.
”Much of my contact with Donald is in connection with search warrants,” said Judge Milich. “We do have a lot in common because he was in the Army Reserve and I am retired from the Air Force Reserve. He keeps me plugged into what is going on in the community.”
“I believe the leadership academy helped me to become a more well-rounded and ethical leader,” said Scott, 53, who lives in Youngstown with his wife Debby.
“There are many challenges facing places like Youngstown,” said Scott. “We cannot fix them all but we need to be equipped with the foresight to look at what technology might be able to help us do.
“Local officials are looking at building a hotel in Youngstown, but I think the hotel needs to have a purpose outside of just being a hotel,” said Scott. “For example if it were to offer secure video teleconferencing, it would attract business people in the area looking for secure and encrypted communication.”