Biography

JUDGE DICK AMBROSE

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas

BIOGRAPHY

Judge Dick Ambrose has served on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for more than six years. In that time, Judge Ambrose has presided over numerous civil and criminal trials, including seven capital murder cases, and has established himself as “one of the Court’s rising stars.”  Judge Dick Ambrose has quickly earned a reputation as a hardworking and fair judge. He is a member of the Cuyahoga County Community Corrections Board and serves on the Court's Judicial Advisory Board for the new Judge Nancy McDonnell Community Based Correction Facility which is scheduled to open by the end of 2010. Judge Ambrose is the Chairman of the Court's Probation Committee and has assisted in the past with the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program.

Prior to becoming a judge, Dick Ambrose was a civil trial attorney with the law firm of Nicola Gudbranson & Cooper, LLC. Judge Ambrose began practicing law in 1987 when he joined the firm of McDonald Hopkins. During the next seventeen years, Dick Ambrose became a partner with Chriszt McGarry Co., LPA, and focused his practice on business litigation and employment law. Judge Ambrose is a June 1987 graduate of Cleveland Marshall College of Law and began his legal studies while still playing football for the Cleveland Browns. Judge Ambrose holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, from the University of Virginia and is a native of New Rochelle, New York. However, Cleveland has been Judge Ambrose’s home for over 35 years.

ATHLETIC CAREER
 
One of Cleveland’s beloved “Kardiac Kids,” Dick Ambrose led the Cleveland Browns defense as middle linebacker and signal caller for ten years (1975 1985). Dick’s hard-hitting style of play earned him the nickname "Bam Bam." He led the team in tackles for five years from 1977 to 1981 and was the team's most valuable defensive player in 1977. Dick “Bam Bam” Ambrose was honored in 1981 by his teammates with the "Captain's Award" given to that team member who is: "A worker, a team player, and an inspiration." Dick was co captain in 1982 and was the NFL Players Association’s union representative in 1983 and 1984. Dick started sixty-four consecutive games before breaking his leg in a game against the New York Jets in 1983. After several surgeries in 1984, he tried to make a comeback in 1985, however injuries effectively ended his playing career and Dick retired from Professional Football to finish his law degree.