Max Rayle: A Fantastic Lawyer & A Better Person by Chuck Boyk
I met Max when he represented a young man who ran over a small child who darted into the roadway. The case was in the early 2000s and was a wrongful death jury trial in front of Judge
James Jensen in Lucas County. Plaintiffs’ attorneys Jim Godbey and George Rogers represented the estate of the boy. I was representing pro bono, the co-defendant’s 13-year-old babysitter who let go of the little boy’s hand. The huge personalities of Max and Jim Godbey were like 2 grizzly bears fighting in the woods. The end result was a complete defense verdict with Max dominating the courtroom.
After that trial Max became a friend, mentor, and my attorney. In the early 2000s, when I caught an attorney and alleged close friend in my office committing large-scale embezzlement from the law firm, I turned to Max. Max helped me resolve the issue with the mandatory reporting to the bar association and the resulting lawsuit. He continued as the voice of reason for me and my law
firm until his death.
Max died much too young at the age of 64 from lung cancer in 2013. He practiced civil, criminal, administrative, general, and appellate law from a base in Bowling Green, Ohio, for 37 years. He was the senior partner of the 3-man law firm of Rayle, Matthews, and Coon.
Max’s clients were everyone. Rich and poor. Private individuals, insurance companies, and he was a superstar drunk driving defense attorney. Max was the attorney’s attorney. When an
attorney or judge had a legal issue, Max was the lawyer everyone sought out. His peers knew he was the best.
Max loved the idea of being and representing the underdog. He relished going against the large law firms that tried to paper him to death. Max was obviously very intelligent. What most people did not know was that his secret power was preparation and a tremendous work ethic. He knew the case better than his opponent.
His longtime partner, Scott Coon stated, “You can’t pick a better friend, mentor, and partner than Max.” Max was a true Renaissance man. He was known for his love of Corvettes and
the yearly Indianapolis 500 Party, which he held at his house. Any room he entered, he was the ray of sunshine and entertainment. He argued multiple cases before the Ohio Supreme Court and
was very proud of his legally related volunteer work, including the Board of Trustees of the Wood County Bar Association and Public Defender’s Commission, and being selected as the 21st “Jester” of the OSBA Board.
Max’s will included $2000 for a wake at The Attic in downtown Bowling Green, after his death. Attorneys and friends, including an Ohio Supreme Court Justice, came from all over Ohio to raise a last drink in honor of Max.
