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With hundreds of thousands of attendees each year, we create events and experiences that drive vibrancy in our region. Beyond what we produce, we’re deeply engaged and invested in growing the region’s cultural vibrancy by supporting arts, culture, sports, and entertainment assets and investments.
Through bold leadership, advocacy and partnerships with city, county, state and federal policy makers the Cincinnati Regional Chamber advances a pro-business and pro-development policy initiatives that stimulate and grow our regional economy.
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Home » David Singleton
We strengthen civic ties and create meaningful and fruitful connections for those who are here. We work with government, businesses, educational institutions, and community partners to ensure a welcoming environment that helps newcomers find success and opportunity in our region.
Through bold leadership, advocacy and partnerships with city, county, state and federal policy makersthe Cincinnati Regional Chamber advances a pro-business and pro-development policy initiatives that stimulate and grow our regional economy.
With hundreds of thousands of attendees each year, we create events and experiences that drive vibrancy in our region. Beyond what we produce, we’re deeply engaged and invested in growing the region’s cultural vibrancy by supporting arts, culture, sports, and entertainment assets and investments.
We create member experiences, connections, and programming that meet the unique needs of businesses in our region. We’re a driver of regional collaboration, ensuring that our diverse civic and business communities are aligned, engaged, and have their voices heard.
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David A. Singleton received his law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1991, and his A.B. in Economics and Public Policy cum laude from Duke University in 1987. Upon graduation from law school, David received a Skadden Fellowship to work at the Legal Action Center for the Homeless in New York City, where he practiced for three years. He then worked as a public defender for seven years, first with the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem and then with the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia. After moving to Cincinnati in 2001, David practiced at Thompson Hine until 2002, when he became the Executive Director of the Cincinnati-based Ohio Justice & Policy Center. David is also a tenured Professor of Law at NKU Chase College of Law, where he teaches the Constitutional Litigation Clinic, Criminal Law, and Criminal Procedure.
I am someone who will always fight to make sure that people in our criminal legal system are treated fairly and humanely. I believe that it is wrong to write other people off based on the worst things they have done. And I believe in the possibility and power of redemption. These important values guide everything that I do.
We moved here so my wife, Verna Williams, could accept a position as a professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Law..
Cincinnati forced me out of my comfort zone. When we moved here in 2001, we left the progressive bubble of Washington, D.C. for Cincinnati’s more politically conservative environment. At first I felt out of place and uncomfortable here. Eventually, however, I discovered the importance of working across the political spectrum to achieve criminal legal system reform. In the process, I have made friends with people whose political views differ from mine. Cincinnati is now home.
Binge-“watching” a Netflix series with my wife, Verna Williams. The quotation marks around the word watching are intentional. After a long week, it doesn’t take me long to fall asleep on the couch with the television on. Without fail, I awake renewed and ready to meet the next day’s challenges.
The people I represent both inspired and buoy me during difficult times. For example, after I had to deliver bad news to one client, she told me, “I’ll be fine. I’m used to taking a punch. I’m worried about you and how you are holding up.” It’s impossible not to continue the fight when the person you represent cares more about you than she does for herself.
Professionally, my proudest moment was seeing my client Tyra Patterson walk out of prison on Christmas Morning 2017, after serving twenty-three years for crimes she did not commit. I led the team that worked five years to free her. I will never forget the day Tyra tasted freedom for the first time in twenty-three years.
Personally, my proudest moment was watching our daughter Allison graduate from Walnut Hills High School and then head off to Brown University.
I hope I will be remembered as someone who exemplified the idea that we should never write anyone off. No one should be judged forever by the worst thing they have done. Accordingly, we should all be open to the possibility of redemption for people who have harmed the community in the most serious of ways. My life’s work has focused on fighting to make sure that society does not write off the people I represent in our criminal legal system.
I define success by being able to make a meaningful difference, no matter how small or large, in the lives of the people I serve.
Be bold. Be decisive. Be principled. Do what is right. And don’t let fear get in the way of doing any of the above.
To me, Cincinnati as a “future city” means a more progressive and diverse community that welcomes and promotes the well-being of everyone who lives here.
Always strive to do what is right as a matter of your principles and values.
My college friend and I once drove a moving truck into a bridge on campus after getting into an argument with someone. Because we were distracted, we didn’t pay attention to the low-clearance warning. Although I wasn’t the driver, I was just as much at fault for not realizing we were about to crash into the bridge. Fortunately, no one was injured.
I mentor young people interested in pursuing careers in the legal profession. I often hear social commentators say we have too many lawyers. I disagree. In my opinion, we don’t have enough attorneys willing to represent low income individuals who need zealous advocates. Accordingly, I will always do what I can to encourage my mentees to become lawyers to fill this important need.
Help us elevate, empower, and support our region’s Black leaders today, tomorrow, and all year long by nominating someone for #MakingBlackHistory.
The Cincinnati Regional Chamber is the premier business and civic organization dedicated to growing the vibrancy and economic prosperity of the Cincinnati region. To achieve its vision that Cincinnati is a growing, thriving region where everyone belongs, the Chamber seeks to grow our economy, grow our population, and grow our cultural vibrancy -- with the foundation of a strong business community -- to foster a welcoming environment for all.
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