John Howard Burlew

John Burlew, although one of the more celebrated lawyers in the city, was an unassuming gentleman known for his sensitive and compassionate understand-ing of the pulse of the Cincinnati community. With a deep conviction for what is legally, ethically and mor-ally right, John was committed to leaving the world a more livable and just place than he found it, and he spent his life working towards those ends. In his family, his law practice, the bench, the church and the com-munity, he gave completely of himself until December 29, when he passed from this life.
John Howard Burlew, III was born on February 21, 1948 to the late Ralph and Ora Burlew in Cincinnati, Ohio. John and his wife, Kathy, had two daughters and one grandson.
After graduating from Walnut Hills High School, John attended Hanover College, graduating with a liberal arts degree, and later received his Juris Doctorate from Salmon P. Chase School of Law. He was a star high school athlete, lettering in football and basketball. After playing tackle for the Hanover College football team and being named Small College All American, the Dallas Cowboys invited him to try out for their team.
John?s dedication to service began early in his pro-fessional career at the Legal Aid Society, after which he opened a private practice specializing in criminal law, employment law, and professional licensure in the legal and medical professions. In 2001, he began a six-year tenure as a Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge. Over the course of his career, he served as President of the Cincinnati Bar Association and Chair of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, as well as a member of the Ohio Public Defender?s Commission, the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education,
and the Magistrate/Judge Selection Committee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. In each of these capacities, John fervently demon-strated his commitment to making justice a reality for all.
John summarized his legal philosophy as follows: ?I look at a law degree as a weapon. Like any weapon, it can be used for good or evil. It can be used selfishly to acquire wealth and power or generously to improve society or empower the powerless.?
For his dedication and service, John has received numerous awards including the Theodore M. Berry Award from the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP, the Ohio Bar Association Media Award, an award from the Ohio Civil Rights Commission for Commitment and Dedication to the Struggle for Equality, and a resolution from the Ohio House of Representatives for a tremen-dous record of service to the citizens of Ohio.
John has also left a great legacy of community acti-vism. He was named Big Brother of the year in 1986, served a term as President of the Kennedy Heights Community Council, and was a legal consultant to WKRC-TV. He served as coach of his daughter Randi?s Ken-Sil soccer team for many years and of his daughter Robin?s Ken-Sil basketball team. He also served as a trustee for Calvary United Methodist Church for two years.
In addition to his wife, Kathy, and their two daugh-ters, Randi Burlew Burks and Robin Vann, he is also blessed with two sons-in-law, Scott Burks and Bryon Vann. Randi and Scott are parents to John?s grandson, Gavin. John also leaves behind his brothers and sisters-in-law, Randy and Teresa Burlew and Charles and Peggy Osborne. Preceded in death by his parents and brother, Cecil Burlew, John will long be cherished by many family members and friends.