Leo Stepanian

Roughly 100 people paid tribute Monday to the late attorney Leo Stepanian in the Butler County Courthouse.

The Butler County Bar Association held the event in Courtroom 1 for Stepanian, who died May 9 in hospice care.

Attorney Lee Montgomery read a resolution commemorating Stepanian for his expertise and dedication.

“He was a noted trial attorney,” Montgomery said.

County Judge Marilyn Horan recalled Stepanian being a formidable adversary when she still was an attorney.

“I was bloodied a few times,” she said.

Horan said Stepanian was no less challenging after she became judge.

“You knew he knew the law,” she said about using his knowledge to aid his clients.

Horan said whenever she ruled against his clients, he had one response.

“Leo was perfectly convinced I was dead wrong,” she said.

Horan credited Stepanian for his client advocacy.

“You had Leo as a lawyer, you were one of the luckiest people in the system,” she said.

Retired Judge Martin O’Brien was among those expressing regret at Stepanian’s passing.

“Leo will be sadly missed,” O’Brien said.

Attorney Tom King spoke about Stepanian’s encouragement of others.

“Leo would always help the younger attorneys,” King said.

County judges Thomas Doerr, Timothy McCune and William Shaffer as well as retired Judge George Hancher also spoke about Stepanian.