Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 17, 1995 TAG: 9508170055
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Shortly before he was sworn in as the newest justice on the Virginia Supreme Court, Lawrence L. Koontz peered over a lectern bristling with microphones to face a pack of waiting reporters.
"I didn't bring my lawyer with me," he warned.
Koontz then cracked a broad smile that illustrated the laid-back, approachable style that has endured through his 28 years on the bench - from juvenile court judge at age 27 to a seat on the state's highest court at 55.
Even as he reached "the pinnacle of my judicial career" at an investiture ceremony Wednesday at Roanoke College, the Salem judge seemed overcome not only by emotion but also by the opportunity to poke fun at himself.
"Most of you know that I have never taken myself too seriously," he told a crowd of lawyers, politicians, fellow judges and well-wishers that jammed Olin Theater. "But I try to take my judicial responsibilities very seriously."
And it was serious business, indeed. Making a rare trip out of Richmond, the entire Virginia Supreme Court convened a special session to welcome a new member from the Roanoke Valley - the first in 65 years.
The last time someone from the Roanoke Valley joined the Supreme Court was in 1930, when Herbert B. Gregory began a term that lasted until 1951.
Koontz was 11 then, and already on the road to a distinguished legal career. Retired Judge Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, in welcoming Koontz to Wednesday's ceremony, recalled teaching him in Sunday school more than 40 years ago. "I think I did a pretty good job," he said.
After becoming a juvenile court judge at age 27, Koontz went on to spend nine years on the Circuit Court bench before he was elevated to the state Court of Appeals. He was chief judge for the first eight of his 10 years on the appeals court.
Throughout it all, Koontz said, he has tried to keep an open mind and an open office door.
"If I have an asset that I rely on, it's that I think I have the ability to listen - not just to listen but to hear - what is presented to me," he said. "And when you really hear what is being said, that is when you really begin to understand a case."
At the same time, he said, "the danger that appellate court judges have is to allow themselves to become too isolated and too out of step with what I know is real life out there."
Koontz said he will keep his primary office and home in Salem, where his wife, Eberle Smith, is an associate professor of social work at Roanoke College.
After donning the black robe of a Supreme Court justice, Koontz wiped tears from his eyes and paused to regain his composure as he thanked the three Circuit Court judges who first persuaded him to take a seat on the juvenile court bench.
Lawyers have credited Koontz with bringing better facilities and a sense of respect to a court that was not held in the highest esteem at the time.
Little did he know at the time, Koontz said, that the job would start him on a judicial career that peaked Wednesday.
"Just for today," he said, "if there is in this room a sense of pride and excitement and pleasure that someone from the Roanoke Valley has again been given the opportunity to serve on this distinguished court, that sense of pride is certainly not mine, but it is ours to share, and I thank you for it."
by CNB