Did you stay up late at night and get up early in the morning during the middle two weeks in August to watch Team USA go for the gold? I did and I enjoyed many of the most exciting moments of the Summer Olympics in Beijing. Athletes who have trained for a lifetime gave their all representing their countries in hopes of winning a Gold Medal. Michael Phelps led the way. He set a new standard for Gold Medal performance. Phelps left China with a treasure chest full of gold, millions of adoring fans and presumably enough endorsement contracts to make him financially secure for the rest of his life.

We need not span the globe to look for Gold Medal performances. Ohio’s magistrates and judges give Gold Medal performances every day in every court in every county and municipality in Ohio. We are not motivated by shiny trinkets to wear around our necks and we are not greeted with standing ovations from thousands of fans every time we write a decision. We are certainly not rewarded with vast wealth. Instead, we are motivated by the knowledge that our work helps to maintain the rule of law in our society.

Like elite athletes, we draw on a lifetime of education and experience in performing our judicial duties. Like members of Team USA who support and encourage each other to give their best performances, we support, aid and encourage our colleagues to do the same on the bench. Just as sports fans expect Herculean efforts from their athletes, our public -- the citizens of Ohio -- expect and deserve our best performances.

The OAM is made up of nearly 500 of the best, brightest and hardest working magistrates and judges in Ohio. The OAM and our partners at the Ohio Judicial College provide Gold Medal CLE to magistrates and judges throughout Ohio. The OAM also provides resources, networking opportunities and hospitality that are second to none. The OAM’s goal is for our members to achieve Gold every day, not for our own personal glory, but for the benefit of the citizens of Ohio.

Let the OAM Board know what we can do to support you as we strive to meet the Gold Medal Standard for judicial service. That’s how we as an organization can maintain our gold standard. Although we, as individuals and as an organization, might never achieve the same glorious gold as Michael Phelps, we are Champions none the less. We are Champions for justice in our society. And we should always “Go for the Gold!”