Judge Leslie Isaiah Gaines, remembered

Iconic attorney and former Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Leslie Isaiah Gaines died Monday at the age of 69 after suffering from multiple health issues for many years. Mr. Gaines served as judge to the Hamilton County Municipal Court from 1993-1996 when he resigned from the bench to work as an evangelist and motivational speaker, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Mr. Gaines returned to the practice of law in 2003. He was well-respected among Cincinnati's legal community as a talented lawyer and kind man.

In an interview with the Enquirer, Cincinnati City Prosecutor described Mr. Gaines as the  "first real flamboyant lawyer," and stated that "underneath all that, he was one of the kindest, most honest men I've ever met in my life," WKRC-TV reports that Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said of Gaines, "Les was a great lawyer, a great judge and a wonderful friend. He had the most incredible presence in the courtroom that I have ever seen. I will miss him very much. God bless him.”

The Cincinnati Enquirer has republished a 2003 article detailing Mr. Gaines life and return to legal practice, here.