Judge Myron C. Duhart of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas will deliver the keynote address at The University of Toledo College of Law’s commencement at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 6 in the Thompson Student Union Auditorium.

The ceremony will honor 79 juris doctor and three master of studies in law candidates.

Duhart plans to speak to the graduates about giving back and service to the community — two topics about which he is passionate.

“It is a privilege for the 2017 graduates to receive their law degree; with that privilege comes a duty to give back to the community,” Duhart said. “I hope to inspire these graduates to give back to the communities that produced them.”

Duhart serves on the bench of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, where he hears both criminal and civil cases.

Prior to taking his place on the bench in 2011, Duhart practiced both criminal defense and personal injury law. As a criminal defense attorney, he litigated several high-profile cases and was part of a select group of attorneys certified by the Ohio Supreme Court to take death penalty cases. He also served in the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General Corps, with duty assignment throughout the U.S. and in Panama.

In addition, Duhart shares his extensive litigation experience with UT law students, teaching a course in trial practice.

A lifelong learner, Duhart earned his bachelor’s degree from Wright State University, juris doctor from the UT College of Law in 1996, and is pursuing a master of laws degree in judicial studies from the Duke University School of Law. He also attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Duhart is noted for his service to the community and serves on the UT College of Law Board of Governors, the UT Paralegal Studies Advisory Board, and the board of Mercy Health System North. He also is past president of Toledo’s Thurgood Marshall Law Association.

“I am delighted that Judge Duhart will be giving our annual commencement address. He is an accomplished alumnus with a record of public service, both a judge and a U.S. Army Judge Advocate General,” said UT Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “I look forward to hearing the advice and encouragement he gives to our graduates as they embark on their legal careers.”