A Career Built in the Courtroom: The Ronnie Wingate Story by Mike Bruno

Ronnie Wingate knows his way around the courtroom. As a criminal defense lawyer, I think it’s safe to say that Ronnie has tried more cases in Toledo over the last 50 years than any other Toledo lawyer. Whoever is behind him is a distant second.

And it all started with junior high-aged Ronnie, his best friend, and his cousin playing basketball in Reidsville, North Carolina. Setting aside the usual trash-talking, the three decided there and then to become lawyers. As it turned out, only one finished law school: Ronnie L. Wingate.

Ronnie was the oldest of four kids. He was raised by his grandmother. She obviously made sure that her bright grandson was properly educated.

After completing his undergraduate degree, Ronnie took the LSAT, but it was too late to get into the next law school class, so he had a year to kill. It was off to Kent State to work on a master’s degree in public administration. At Kent, he saw two things new to him: snow and black squirrels.

While working on his master’s degree, Ronnie applied for and was accepted to the University of Toledo College of Law. During law school at UT, Ronnie interned for Terry Jones. Terry had a criminal defense practice and was well-known for his trial skills. Early on, Ronnie drafted a motion to suppress that impressed Jones, who suggested that Ronnie join the firm after law school.

Ronnie earned his Juris Doctorate in 1978. Shortly thereafter, he was learning his craft by sitting 2nd chair to Terry Jones on criminal jury trials. He learned the importance of taking accurate notes on witness testimony and drawing a vertical line in the center of the legal pad to separate direct testimony from anticipated areas for cross-examination.

Ronnie also learned memory skills that Terry Jones used during trials, especially in jury selection. Unlike Jones, Ronnie freely admits he never learned shorthand. I asked Ronnie about memorable trials. He recalled his first solo trial, representing a man charged with aggravated robbery. It was
contentious. There were racial implications. The trial lasted three days. The jury was out another two days before returning a guilty verdict.

Ronnie felt the sting of that verdict for a while. Looking back at it now, he believes it was a blessing in disguise. A learning experience. Terry also suggested that Ronnie observe trials to watch other attorneys, learn about his opponents, and learn about different judges.

Ronnie Wingate shared many other interesting courtroom stories, like the client who just before his trial was to start, keeled over to the ground, seemingly unconscious. Judge Melvin Resnick wasn’t
buying it. He was prepared to detain the defendant in his courtroom, unless an EMT determined he needed to be taken to the hospital.

There was the (now-retired) Judge who threatened to fine Ronnie $10 for every minute he was late to court. Or the time when he appeared in court wearing a pair of fashionable striped socks, eliciting a comment from Judge Gene Zmuda: “The last time I saw those socks, a house fell on them.”

There was the overconfident client who “micromanaged” his case during the trial. His own mother urged him to take the plea deal. He declined and wanted his day in court. When Ronnie finished
cross-examining an eyewitness, the client insisted on one more question, as if he were the boss. Well, that last question elicited a response that ultimately led to a conviction.

I asked Ronnie if he had noticed any changes over the years. He mentioned a shift in the attitudes and demeanor of criminal defendants, and not for the better. There may come a day when Ronnie Wingate no longer takes cases to trial. I won’t believe it until I see it.

He and Kelly enjoy traveling with “The Six”: Don and Barb Cameron. Pete Rost and Barb Stutz. He also enjoys glassblowing, which sounds like a second act to a brilliant legal career.