Discover the latest in the most recent issue of Counselor, the alumni magazine.
Read the latest issue of Updates.
09/18/2006 - Alfred K. Nippert, Jr., a College of Law graduate and well-respected attorney, has donated 60,000 volumes to the Robert S. Marx Law Library, adding depth to its collection of 19th and early 20th century legal documents.
Cincinnati, OH - Alfred K. Nippert, Jr. has chosen the UC Law Library to place his vast collection of law books that span more than three Nippert generations to its collection. With this one donation UC's Law Library will take its place as a principal research library.
The Nippert Collection is rich in history, adding profundity to the library's own 19th and early 20th century documents. The volumes include law reviews from approximately 40 different law schools, including California, the Ohio State University, the University of Michigan, and Penn State. Readers will also find official publications from government agencies, official reports from the Nuremburg Trials, transcripts from World War II hearings regarding Pearl Harbor, bankruptcy statutes and insurance laws, reports from the former British Crown colonies of the Caribbean, and more.
This collection was years in the making, started and nurtured by Nippert's family of attorneys. He added to the collection when he purchased the Dade County (FL) Law Library Annex. This addition added depth to the materials surrounding the British Crown colonies. The annex included so much material that it had to be brought to Ohio in three semi-trucks.
"We appreciate Al's gift and its impact as we continue to build a premier research library," said Louis D. Bilionis, dean at the College of Law. "His contribution fills out areas we have wanted to strengthen and adds depth to others."
Gift Impacts Legal Community
The impact of this gift will be felt by student's research and the legal community for years to come. "This collection provides the history of the thought process behind the law, providing historical perspective so attorneys can 'paint a picture' or put events in context for the jury or judge," said Nippert. "Just because the Law has been codified does not abolish the underlying common law citing evidence wills, trust, and real estate as examples. Working from this angle makes the law and the case come alive-for the attorney and the jury. And it makes it fun!"
Born in Asheville, North Carolina, Nippert, Jr. moved to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1962, where he has spent most of his life. His love for the law and for UC runs deep. Not only did he graduate from UC Law in 1976, his father, Alfred, Sr., graduated in 1897; brother Louis graduated in 1928. Unfortunately, his brother Jimmy died during law school from an injury sustained in the 1923 Homecoming football game against Miami of Ohio. The Bas relief plaque at the south end of Nippert Stadium and the structure commemorate him.
Born in Asheville, North Carolina, Nippert, Jr. moved to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1962, where he has spent most of his life. His love for the law and for UC runs deep. Not only did he graduate from UC Law in 1976, his father, Alfred, Sr., graduated in 1897; brother Louis graduated in 1928. Unfortunately, his brother Jimmy died during law school from an injury sustained in the 1923 Homecoming football game against Miami of Ohio. The Bas relief plaque at the south end of Nippert Stadium and the structure commemorate him.
Nippert's uncle, Carl L. Nippert, class of 1891, was a Hamilton County (OH) probate judge. His mother's brother was an attorney and her sister Osiris married attorney John Bertucci. Ms. Bertucci's daughter Gwendlyn Nachman followed her father with years of legal service to the U.S. Government and is an attorney working for the government today. His strong family ties to UC, include an Uncle Edward Nippert who graduated from UC College of Medicine, Lora Nippert, who received a degree from the University of Cincinnati and taught German and Uncle Louis Helmlengie who taught French. All played an important role in why he chose to donate his books here.
Consisting of approximately 60,000 to 70,000 volumes, it is the largest "gift-in-kind" in the Law Library's history." As a matter of fact," said Virginia Thomas, Director, Law Library and Information Technology, "the extent of Mr. Nippert's gift likely exceeds the number of the volumes in the Law Library's entire collection when the Robert S. Marx Library Addition was dedicated in 1965."
The types of resources in this gift would be difficult or impossible to acquire today," cited Thomas. "These materials are the resources cited by contemporary scholars and jurists as they examine the development of the law. Other publications such as the Pearl Harbor hearings and the Nuremburg Trial transcripts enhance the library's collection of historical documents."
Nippert said, "The collection also fills in much of UC's collection which, I'm sure, existed at one time. It allows UC to take its rightful position as a research library." He continued, "Being in a position to make this gift means this collection won't be dissipated. It won't end up in a dumpster or a library that has an approach toward preserving a collection that is different from mine. For a small firm to hold on to a collection of this significance when it should be available to all seems too much like hoarding." Adding, "Virginia Thomas is the reason the gift was made at this time: Her philosophy about retention is much the same as mine. Electronic research only goes back so far usually the 1920's or 30's and the early treatises are virtually never available in that format."
The collection will be housed throughout the Law Library."Some of the volumes are extremely rare and will be added to the Law Library's Rare Book Collection," said Thomas. "Most of the legal treatises, however, will be integrated in the general reading room collection. Regardless of their particular location, the books will be accessible to all of our patrons, which are in keeping with the spirit in which Mr. .Nippert made this gift."
Nippert is Renaissance Man and Voracious Reader
Alfred K. Nippert, Jr. isn't your "run-of the-mill" attorney. In fact, most would be hard pressed to find a lawyer like him. In addition to offices in Ohio and Tennessee, he is also president of both Streamline Graphics, Inc., a screen printing and specialty marketing firm and Envirosure, Inc., an environmentally friendly composting company and a licensed auctioneer. He is a past president of a contract railroad car repair shop and past board member of Christ Hospital and the Cincinnati, Hamilton YMCA. He is also a past president of the Cincinnati Citizens Police Association which maintains the eternal flame across from District One of the Cincinnati Police Department.
"I have many interests-from railroads to cartography," Nippert said. "I also enjoy animal husbandry, horticulture, geography, geology, American history, military history, law, and religion: it is amazing how they interconnect." He also has a love for auctioneering. "It was a great way to make money when I was younger and I liked it," laughed Nippert. "Besides, it helped me develop my oratorical to my eye contact skills. A lawyer and an auctioneer have similar need for eye contact with clients, judges, and juries." In fact, he can still be found holding court at a local auction on occasion. He is also active in many local, state, and national professional associations.
Today, Nippert works as an attorney in Glendale, Ohio and Cheatham County, Tennessee. "I'm just a country lawyer working right across from the court house in Tennessee. I enjoy representing people, as opposed to large corporations, because it gives me a chance to help them. I get to see and know my clients personally," he said. He limits his practice in Ohio to Estate and Probate matters. "That's what keeps it interesting and challenging. If you're not challenged by the practice of the law, I don't know what you need-maybe a job in nuclear physics!"
A reception was held in honor of Mr. Nippert's gift at the Queen City Club, Cincinnati, OH.
Contact Information:
Sherry English
513.556.0090
sherry.english@uc.edu
