Speakers and Events
Jim Petro and Nancy Petro to Give the Spring Lecture in the Distinguished Speaker Series
“False Justice”
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Law Center Auditorium
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
The University of Toledo College of Law presents Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Jim Petro and Nancy Petro as the Spring Lecturers in the Distinguished Speaker Series. Jim Petro and Nancy Petro are co-authors of False Justice - Eight Myths that Convict the Innocent for which they were recognized with a 2011 Constitutional Commentary award at Georgetown University School of Law.
Jim Petro and Nancy Petro will explain what the advent of DNA testing has revealed about the American justice system – that it is not always just, and that wrongful convictions happen at a much higher rate than the general public believes.
Free admission, public welcome. Free pizza!
Biographical Information
Jim Petro is Chancellor of the University System of Ohio. An attorney for thirty-eight years, he is a graduate of Denison University and Case Western Reserve University School of Law. A thirty-two-year AV-rated Martindale-Hubbell lawyer, Jim Petro has litigated cases in most legal venues from Mayor’s Court to the United States Supreme Court and has represented clients ranging from prisoners claiming innocence to international corporations. He also pursued elected public office and has served as a city councilman, city law director, State Representative, County Commissioner, Auditor of State of Ohio, and Attorney General of Ohio. Jim Petro has served on several non-profit boards and as a pro bono lawyer for the Ohio Innocence Project. A recipient of many regional and national awards for his public service, Jim Petro most recently received the 2010 Innocence Network Champion of Justice Award “honoring the person who goes above and beyond in supporting and championing efforts that free the wrongfully convicted and/or reform the criminal justice system to prevent wrongful convictions.”
Nancy Petro’s career has focused on communications and business management. She was the 20-year principal of a graphic design firm; founding editor of a national high school sports magazine; and CEO of a sports technology company. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Denison University, Nancy Petro is vice chair of The Ohio State University Hospital Board, trustee of Ohio Right to Life, and an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Since 2008, she has devoted her time particularly to community service, writing, and advocacy related to criminal justice.