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Lon’Cherie’ D. TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST EVER JOB. David O. Simon
My first ever job was with Heinen’s in Shaker
Billingsley Heights. They hired me at 15 years old, so they were Firm: D. O. Simon Company L.P.A.
required to comply with all kinds of extra rules.
REBECCA RUPPERT MCMAHON Some of those rules were not scheduling me to Title: Founder, Owner, Chief Cook & Bottle Washer
CMBA Join Date: 1975
Firm: The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland work after 7pm and not being able to schedule me College: Bowling Green State Universtiy
Title: Staff Attorney for more than 15 hours per week. However, they Law School: Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
CMBA Join Date: 2019 were so supportive and really took a chance on
College: The Ohio State Universtiy me. They encouraged me to make good grades in IF YOU WERE NOT PRACTICING LAW,
Law School: Clevleand-Marshall College of Law school, participate in activities, and spend the money WHAT WOULD YOUR PROFESSION BE?
that I made wisely. Most of my co-workers are still I would be a deep sea charter boat captain in
IF YOU WERE NOT PRACTICING LAW, employed there, so every time I go there, it feels like South Florida!
WHAT WOULD YOUR PROFESSION BE? being back home. I pray that my little girl is able to
If I were not practicing law, I would probably be a work there or a company that is as supportive as CAN YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
Foreign Service Officer and/or volunteering with they were towards me. I played the trumpet throughout school. I was first
the Peace Corps. I have a passion for my city, and chair in the high school marching band and was on
I also have a passion for my country. In order to WHY DID YOU BECOME A LAWYER? TV during the 1993 Orange Bowl Parade!
develop that passion, I feel it is important to be I became a lawyer to educate myself and make
knowledgeable and understanding of other cultures. a difference. I witnessed a multitude of injustices HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE?
Therefore, I love the knowledge, experience, and growing up. I felt powerless because I could not help Cheryl and I met in when she came to work in
understanding gained from travelling abroad. I people going through difficult times. As an attorney, the Bankruptcy Court in 1981. We were both
believe it’s helpful and important to immerse I knew that I would be able to make a difference as otherwise committed, and it was impossible to
yourself in the culture, and NOT just go to the long as I was armed with the requisite knowledge. For get the time of day out of her. It took 10+ years
beaches and shopping areas. There are many that reason, I’m striving to learn more and more each for us to get together. When she finally agreed
people living lives and going through struggles that day. However, instead of hoarding that knowledge, I to have dinner with me, she spent the remainder
you know nothing about. Taking the time to hear, want to pass it on to others so that they are armed of that week trying to figure out how to get
understand, and experience those struggles through with that power and no longer feel powerless. out of the date. I still have the quarter that the
a non-first world lens is priceless. Taverne of Richfield gave you to make a call for
WHAT CITY DO YOU LIVE IN, AND your next reservation.
MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT IT?
IN COURT? I live in Cleveland, Ohio, and I love it!! My home WHERE DID YOU GO ON YOUR
My most embarrassing moment in court was is my childhood home, so it is filled with so many HONEYMOON?
definitely being wrongfully held in contempt of court. positive memories. I love the fact that I am making Fittingly, we honeymooned in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
I’m human, and I make mistakes. However, it was not more positive memories with my daughter. My — in conjunction with a bankruptcy seminar.
until that moment that I realized that as a lawyer, our neighborhood is full of people who knew my
mistakes can cost us our freedom. In that moment, mother, my grandfather, my aunts/uncles, and my TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST EVER JOB.
I thought of my daughter who I needed to pick up great-grandfather. I love being able to tap into those When I was 14 years old, I parked cars in
from pre-school. I thought of the disappointment connections and experience hearing those stories. the parking lot of my father’s restaurant in
I may be to my family and friends. I thought of my I love seeing people that I grew up with every day. Youngstown, Ohio. That is also where I had my
mentors and their words of caution. What would Additionally, I live next door to a park. With a 10-year- first auto accident. I parked a car up a bit of
happen to all the people depending on me if I was old child, there’s really nothing better than that!! an incline and did not put it in “park.” The car
sent to jail? Luckily, I had a boss, a supervisor, friends, promptly rolled down the hill into a car belonging
co-workers, and mentors that stood beside me. I to my father’s assistant.
had people behind the scenes that knew my heart
and my intentions and advocated for me when
I was not around. I am thankful that the judge
agreed that the contempt was wrongful and INTERESTED IN BEING
dismissed it. FEATURED OR KNOW
SOMEONE WHO MIGHT?
E-mail Jackie Baraona at:
jbaraona@clemetrobar.org.

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