GIRARD — Contributions to the city by former municipal Judge Michael Bernard, who died Dec. 4, helped solidify his legacy here.

Bernard became the Girard Municipal Court judge in 1994 and served for 18 years. During that time, he participated in the building of the Girard Justice Center in the early 2000s.

The center, said Girard police Chief John Norman, was much needed. Norman added that Bernard always treated the police department with respect and dignity.

“He was good to me and good to our department,” Norman said. “He helped us purchase equipment. It’s a great loss.”

Bernard also was the municipal judge when the city went through financial hardships.

From 2001 to 2011, the city was in a state-monitored fiscal emergency, and the municipal court and city administration did not always agree on money matters.

But a better understanding of what it took to help get the city out of the emergency eventually came about, Mayor James Melfi said.

“Toward the end of his career we were really on the same page on the issue,” Melfi said. Of the judge’s death he added:”It’s quite a tragedy for the city and the community.”

Of his contributions to being a judge, Norman said Bernard was alway fair and impartial.

When Bernard announced his retirement, he helped current Judge Jeffrey Adler to make the transition.

“He really helped me,” Adler said. “He was very knowledgeable about the law and was a good judge. He was no-nonsense. He was compassionate when he needed to be and also stern when he needed to be.”

Adler also said his death is a tragedy for the community.

Bernard devoted his life to practicing law. He passed the Ohio Bar Exam and was admitted to the Ohio State Bar in 1980. He practiced for 13 years as an attorney at Hess and Bailey before transitioning to the city of Hubbard’s law director.

Bernard also was qualified to practice law in the United States Supreme Court, was an instructor at Youngstown State University, served as an arbitrator for the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court and was a member of the Mahoning and Trumbull County Bar Association.

nhawthorne@tribtoday.com