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HHM attorney John L. Pogue looks back on his long career
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: February 17, 2022
He served as legal counsel to many leading organizations in Trumbull County over the course of his career, but at the end of 2021 Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell member John L. Pogue retired after working at the law firm for more than 50 years.
“I’m very grateful to the firm, which gave me the chance to try cases and meet with clients right from the start,” said Pogue. “They offered me great mentorship, gave me the opportunity to develop as a lawyer and emphasized giving back to your community, which is something I hope to continue to do in retirement.”
In a press release, Kevin Murphy, chair of the HHM management committee stated, “John has been a valuable asset to our firm for many years. His commitment and contributions to HHM and numerous Warren-area organizations will make a difference for years to come. We are proud of the many accomplishments John has achieved and the legacy he leaves behind.”
A native of Warren, Ohio, Pogue received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from DePauw University in Indiana and his juris doctorate from the school now known as Indiana University Maurer School of Law in Bloomington.
“At one point, I thought about being a journalist,” said Pogue. “But after I worked as a fill-in supervisor in the Packard Electric Division of GM (General Motors) for several summers during college, I found that I enjoyed the give and take of the labor climate and I decided to pursue that path by going to law school.”
During the first year of his legal career, Pogue served as a law clerk to the late Indiana Supreme Court Justice Donald H. Hunter.
He then returned to Warren, where he started as an associate in the Warren office of the HHM predecessor firm Hoppe, Frey, Hewitt & Milligan.
“When I first started practicing I focused on labor law,” said Pogue. “I later developed more of a general corporate practice and for the last ten or 15 years I have primarily handled estate and wealth planning.
“What I like most about being a lawyer is working with clients to solve their problems,” said Pogue. “I also enjoy being their adviser, which allows me to be a part of their success.”
Over the years, he’s represented a number of large entities, including Trumbull Regional Medical Center, Second National Bank, Wean United (now defunct), the Trumbull Country Club and First Presbyterian Church.
A longtime member of the Trumbull County and Ohio State bar associations, Pogue is a former president of the Youngstown State University (YSU) Board of Trustees, the Warren Area Community Improvement Corporation and the Warren City Schools Foundation. He’s also a former chair of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and a former trustee at Trumbull Regional Medical Center and the Raymond John Wean Foundation.
In addition, Pogue is a former chair of the board of directors and a current member of the executive committee at BRITE Energy Innovators, an early-stage energy technology incubator that assists startups with product development, market research, customer discovery, talent acquisition and investor connections.
He currently serves as a Youngstown State University Foundation trustee and is the head of the administrative committee at Eastminster Presbytery, a coalition of Presbyterian churches in northeastern Ohio.
“Now that I am retired I am hoping to get more involved with Eastminster Presbytery and other nonprofit organizations,” said Pogue, who turns 78 in May.
“My wife and I are also planning on doing some traveling and spending more time with our children and grandchildren.
“It’s been a great run,” Pogue said. “I came to a vibrant community that I enjoy. I got the chance to contribute and have formed great relationships with my firm, clients and the community.”