The Toledo Way Series - Past Speakers
"Pleading Human - 32 Years in the Criminal Courts and Always on the 'Wrong Side' of an Indictment"
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 | 12 p.m.
Law Center, McQuade Law Auditorium
As a third-generation Toledo attorney and a practicing lawyer for the last 32 years, Sam Kaplan is no stranger to the complex issues that are woven into the lives of many of the people who end up in criminal court. Please join us as he shares what he's learned and how defending the rights of his clients has given him insight into the messiness of being human.
Samuel Z. Kaplan
Samuel Z. Kaplan is a third-generation Toledo lawyer. The first of the three, his grandfather, originally wanted to be a rabbi. The second, his father, only ever wanted to be a lawyer. As for this one, he wanted to be near his dad.
After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1990 with a degree in American History, Sam earned a Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law in 1993 and promptly returned to Toledo to begin a private practice alongside several extraordinary people, including his father. The next 32 years were spent representing defendants charged in the criminal courts of northwest Ohio. And he was only once held in contempt!
Over the past several years, Sam has had the very best fortune to meet and spend time with three College of Law students, one now former, the other two current. Impressed by what he learned from them about the College of Law and wanting to meet more, Sam invited himself to speak as part of The Toledo Way series: “If you provide a room and free pizza, I’ll put together a speech.” And, so, here we are: Pleading Human – 32 years in the criminal courts and always on the ‘wrong side’ of an indictment.
"Integrity, Civil Discourse, and Practicing Law 'The Toledo Way'"
September 2, 2025
Please join us in welcoming back three distinguished alumni, Judge Myron C. Duhart, Judge Linda Knepp, and Judge Michelle Wagner, as they discuss their journeys from law students to the Bench. Hear how their unique career paths have been guided by the shared foundation, a culture of civility, that has traveled with them from the classroom into their courtroom.
Judge Myron C. Duhart was elected to the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals in November 2020. Prior to the Court of Appeals, he served as a trial judge in the Lucas County Common Pleas Court, General Division since 2011, and served as a commercial docket judge. He received his J.D. from The University of Toledo College of Law in 1996. Judge Duhart also received an L.L.M. in judicial studies from Duke University School of Law and has attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Prior to judicial service, Judge Duhart was in private practice in the areas of business litigation, criminal law, and personal injury. He also served in the U.S. Army as a JAG Corps Officer.
Judge Linda Knepp was appointed to the bench by Governor Mike DeWine in 2021 after serving as a Magistrate in Lucas County Probate Court. She spent 19 years with the Lucas County Child Support Enforcement Agency and held roles with the Lucas County Auditor’s Office and Prosecutor’s Office. In 2012, she joined the Adult Probation Department, where she implemented a close supervision program and facilitated cognitive behavioral therapy groups. Judge Knepp earned her law degree from the University of Toledo in 1992. The Ohio Judicial College has appointed her to serve on the Juvenile Law & Procedure Committee, the Specialized Dockets Committee, and the Grievance Review Panel. She is a member of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Toledo Bar Association, Lucas County Bar Association, and All Rise.
Judge Michelle Wagner has served on the Toledo Municipal Court since 2011 and was elected Presiding/Administrative Judge for two terms. She has led statewide reform on domestic violence protection orders and created the “Wagner Plan,” a successful License Reinstatement Docket helping thousands regain driving privileges. In 2023, she launched the Road to Reinstatement Program using a grant from the Greater Toledo Community Foundation to bring driving test practice courses to underserved neighborhoods. She partnered with Toledo Public Schools, public libraries, and community centers to increase accessibility, especially for low-income and minority residents. She also runs the First Friday Program with Team Recovery to help those overcoming addiction reinstate their licenses. For this work, she received the 2024 Public Interest Law Award. A former prosecutor, Judge Wagner earned her law degree from the University of Toledo in 1994, where she clerked for the Honorable Thomas J. Osowik.
"Still Driven: Career, Caregiving, and Courage"
April 10, 2025
Join Corey Minor Smith for an interactive discussion guided by Toledo Law’s Alumni and Student Engagement Manager, Kate Abu-Absi. Attendees will hear about her career as a prosecutor, time in politics, caregiving, mental health, and her book #Driven.
Corey Minor Smith is a distinguished attorney, mental health advocate, and author,
recognized with the 2024 Secretary’s Mission Support Excellence Award and a certificate
from the Harvard Business School 2023 Women of Color Executive Leadership Program.
Rolling Out magazine describes her as a “legendary lawyer,” and The New York Times
has highlighted her extraordinary journey—moving 21 times, attending 14 schools, overcoming
personal challenges, and becoming a successful attorney.
Born in Canton, Ohio, Minor Smith earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Bowling Green State University before obtaining her Juris Doctorate from the University of Toledo. With over 23 years in law, she has served as an Assistant Prosecutor, Judicial Attorney, and Mayoral cabinet member. She made history as the first African American elected to a city-wide position in Canton, later serving as General Counsel for a public housing authority that once housed her family. She also worked as Senior Counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is now General Counsel for Pratum Companies.
A mental health advocate and trained NAMI facilitator, she has appeared in national media, authored #Driven, and consulted for Fortune 500 companies.
"Building Partnerships the Toledo Way"
February 18, 2025
Join as Jeffrey and Susan reflect on their success in handling complicated cases, their 26 years of collaboration, how their partnership has helped them grow both professionally and within the Atlanta family law community, and the importance of upholding the “Toledo Way” culture, emphasizing integrity, reputation, and respect for the legal community.
Graduating from The University of Toledo College of Law in 1972, Jeffrey B. Bogart
has enjoyed a career marked by a diverse array of experiences, from prosecuting cases
involving government corruption and organized crime to representing high-profile individuals in the private sector. In his early career he served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Atlanta, focusing
on white-collar crime and corruption cases. In the 1980s Bogart moved into private practice and founded Bogart & Bogart P.C., where he represented clients from a variety of industries including professional sports, TV and music entertainment. Bogart has been a dedicated legal educator, sharing his knowledge and expertise as an instructor at Emory University School of Law in the National Institute for
Trial Advocacy program, and at the University of Georgia trial practice program. Since
2004, Bogart has been voted a Georgia Super Lawyer, and in 2006 was voted one of the
top 100 lawyers in Atlanta.
Susan is a 1984 graduate of The University of Toledo College of Law, former Managing Editor of The University of Toledo Law Review, and Instructor of
Law at the university. Prior to her retirement, she practiced law in the Atlanta area for almost 37 years.
Her practice was devoted to the representation of clients and the best interests of
children in family law disputes, including custody, divorce, nuptial agreements, child
support, and legitimation actions. Susan held an “AV” Martindale-Hubble rating (indicating preeminent legal ability and high ethical standards) for about 25 years. She was regularly named a “Best Lawyer in America” and was recognized as the “Best
Lawyer in Atlanta” in the area of Family Mediation. She was fortunate to practice with her esteemed colleague and fellow alumnus, Jeffrey Bogart, for 26 years, until his retirement.
"Democracy Is Not a Spectator Sport"
November 7, 2024
A reflection on the challenges faced by Richard Celeste as Ohio's governor in the '80s and his perspective as a citizen 40 years later. Join us during election week for a reflection on democracy in a divided nation at this free, public event.
Richard (Dick) Celeste has an unusual career trajectory. Following his education at
Yale and Oxford, he worked at the Peace Corps headquarters, as a personal assistant
to the U.S. Ambassador in India, in real estate development, and served as a state
legislator in Ohio and as Lt. Governor. After a stint as director of the Peace Corps,
Celeste was elected to two terms as Governor of Ohio. Celeste then headed a small
economic development consultancy until 1997, when he returned to India as U.S. Ambassador.
From 1990 until his departure for India, Celeste also chaired the Government-University-Industry
Research Roundtable as the National Academy of Sciences. In 2002, he became the 12th
President of Colorado College, where he served for nine years. He has been and is
a member or chair of several corporate and not-for-profit boards, including Fabindia
and Range Impact. He and is wife, Jacqueline, have a son, Sam, and he as six grown
children from a previous marriage.