Recent News

July 15, 2011

Remembering Harold R. Kemp

Harold Kemp, a founding member of Kemp Schaeffer and Rowe, passed away on June 30 following a courageous two and a half year battle with cancer. Harold specialized in family law and worked tirelessly to improve the quality of representation of clients in that arena. He was an active member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers – and he, along with others, was instrumental in presenting a fall seminar on Family Law matters that has been held annually for the past 24 years. He was recently honored for his hard work and dedication by the Ohio Chapter of the AAML by changing the name of its annual seminar in Columbus to the AAML Ohio Chapter Harold R. Kemp Annual Family Law Symposium.

As those who practiced in the Domestic Relations Court learned, no one worked harder or advocated longer (and perhaps louder), than Harold. He fought cancer the same way he fought for his clients, but it was a fight that could not be won.

Harold is survived by his wife of thirty-nine years, Barbara and his two children, Jeremy (25) and Lauren (21) as well as his brother, Howard. He was proud of his children and as hard as Harold worked he always had time to attend his children's sporting events and other activities. He could be heard above the crowd cheering on his children and their team. He taught his children, as well as those around him, that you can accomplish anything if you work hard enough and no one ever said Harold didn't work hard enough. He worked hard for his clients and passed on a legacy that will be difficult to follow.

Harold was also proud of "the law firm" and the fact that he and his partners have been together 34 years. In an atmosphere where lawyers jump from firm to firm, Harold was happy to be different and he often alluded to the history of his practice with his partners. His booming voice and bounding enthusiasm will be missed both at the Domestic Relations Court and at 88 West Mound Street, where he practiced.