American politician

Robert Alexander Nader (March 31, 1928—March 15, 2019) was an American Democratic politician who served as a city councilman, state representative and judge in Ohio.

Contents

• 1 Early life
• 2 Political career
• 3 Personal life
• 4 Robert A. Nader Trust
• 5 References

Early life

Nader was born in Warren, Ohio, the son of N*ef J. and Emily Nader, who were Lebanese immigrantsof Maronite Catholic heritage. He attended Warren G. Harding High School in Warren where he excelledin football, earning recognition on the 1945 All-Ohio team. After his high school graduation in 1946 heenrolled at The Ohio State University where he successfully walked on to the football team in springpractice. He left Ohio State to enlist in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1948, then attended AdelbertCollege of Western Reserve University in Cleveland, graduating in 1950. He attended Western ReserveLaw School and graduated in 1953.

Political career

After graduation Nader went into the practice of law in Warren with his brother, Paul G. Nader. In 1960he was elected at large to Warren City Council where he served until 1966. Beginning in 1971 he servedin the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 98th — later the 55th — district. He continued as astate representative until 1982, during which time he served as Chairman of the Judiciary and ReferenceCommittees.

Nader was then appointed and later elected as a Judge of the Trumbull County (Ohio) Common PleasCourt which he served from 1982 until 1990, followed by an appointment and election as a Judge of the11th District Court of Appeals, from which he retired in 2002. He served by *ignment on the OhioSupreme Court on several occasions until 2007.

One of Nader's most noteworthy appellate opinions was written in dissent when a rehearing wasgranted in the Ninth District Court of Appeals after that court had overturned a $212 million verdictawarded in a business lawsuit, following claims that the judge who wrote the opinion had received largecampaign contributions over many years from the CEO of the winning party. The new appellate panelrefused to review the first appellate decision on procedural grounds. Nader dissented, writing that theinitial decision “was infected by approximately $1 million in contributions from a very financiallyinterested individual,” resulting in “a cl*ic scenario giving rise to every nuance of political influence inour courts which calls for self-disqualification.” This dissent was noted in a 2008 New York Times articleconcerning the effects of campaign contributions on judges’ decisions.

Personal life

Nader married Nancy M. Veauthier, a career public school teacher, in 1975.Nader was a founding member and patron of Trumbull New Theatre, and frequently acted in itsproductions. He was active in many public and civic organizations, including the Family Service*ociation, the City of Warren Police and Fire Pension Boards and Elks. His work for justice and reformwas recognized by multiple awards, including from the American Arbitration *ociation, Kent StateUniversity Trumbull County, and the Children's Rehabilitation Center.

Robert A. Nader Trust

Nader established a trust which is directed, in part, to benefit the citizens of Trumbull County, Ohio andthe Mahoning Valley. The philanthropic activities of the Robert A Nader Family Trust include support oflocal non-profit ins*utions and other charitable causes.

References