CLEVELAND, OHIO - May 20, 2011 - The Ohio State Bar Association honored Phillip A. Ranney for his 50 years in the practice of law. Ranney is a Partner in the Cleveland law firm of Schneider, Smeltz, Ranney & LaFond and has been with the firm since he graduated from Case Western Reserve University Law School in 1961.

After only three short months at the firm, Ranney was persuaded by his brother to take a trip to see the world. While he knew it was a risk to ask, he decided to request a two-month leave of absence to travel the globe. The firm's leadership had the foresight to grant him the leave, hoping that when he returned, Ranney would become an important member of the law firm. That experience shaped Ranney both professionally and personally. He recognized that the firm took a real risk in allowing him to jet around the world and the experience reinforced Ranney's loyalty and commitment to the firm and its partners.

Early in his career, Ranney was immersed in Fair Trade Law when the State of Ohio imposed limits on Sunday sales of retail goods. Since the firm represented a number of major manufacturers of retail goods, Ranney and his colleagues worked diligently to deliver progressive legal arguments that were instrumental in overturning Fair Trade laws in Ohio.

Over the years, Ranney moved away from litigation and came to focus on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and public and private foundation administration. Ranney has found much professional fulfillment as a counselor to many Northeastern Ohio private and public foundations. Serving as foundation administrator, he has managed several family foundations and one public charity. Ranney's has had the privilege of guiding the Kent H. Smith Charitable Trust which has contributed over $100 million dollars to Case Western Reserve University.

Ranney's role with the Kent H. Smith Charitable Trust was a springboard to his becoming a significant influence in the foundation community. He has also served as Chair of the Grant-Making Committee for the Fund for Our Economic Future since the Fund was created.

Due to his knowledge and experience, Ranney has served as a director of several privately held corporations. Ranney has also served as a director of two New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) companies, Rohr Industries of Sand Diego, California, and General Housewares of Terre Haute, Indiana.

Throughout his career, Ranney felt it a responsibility to give back to the community. As part of his civic commitment to Lakewood, he served as the Assistant to the Mayor of Lakewood while attending law school. Later in his career, he was a member of the Lakewood Board of Education for eight years, twice serving as its president. In 1999, he was elected to the Lakewood Public Schools Alumni Hall of Fame and in 1993 was chosen by the Lakewood Athletic Commission as its "Citizen of the Year." He is also a former trustee of the Lakewood Hospital Foundation.

Jim Vail, Managing Partner of Schneider, Smeltz, Ranney & LaFond, said, "Phil has been a superb lawyer and counselor for his clients, using his intellect and judgment to advance their many causes. He exudes integrity and treats each of his clients with great respect - whether the client is a large charitable foundation or an elderly couple of modest means. He remains humble despite his many accomplishments and demonstrates a generous spirit toward those he works with and those who work for him. He has been a leader in our firm and a wonderful example of how one should take his work seriously, but remain able to laugh at himself."

Ranney was honored by his colleagues and family at a special reception at The Union Club of Cleveland on April 20, 2011. He is married to Anne Pinkerton Ranney. He has three daughters and three grandchildren.