News - Gentry Family Article

News
Barristers of the Month - Dan & Caroline Gentry
by Erin E. Rhinehart, Bar Briefs Editorial Board
Reprinted with permission of Dayton Bar Association
Article appeared in February 2010 edition of Dayton Bar Briefs

Family Law

As longstanding members of the Dayton community and the Dayton bar, both Dan and Caroline Gentry are accomplished attorneys in their own right. The sum of these two, however, may be greater than their parts. The Gentrys are driven professionally, family focused, and, at their core, are respected individuals who want to see their own, as well as their community, succeed.

But for Dan's persistence, however, this couple may have never met. As Dan recounts the story of "how we met," he jokingly refers to it as his "stalker story." Although Dan and Caroline attended different law schools (Dan attended the University of Dayton School of Law and Caroline attended Yale Law School), both sat for the Ohio bar exam. When asked to share their story, Caroline immediately smiled, looked to Dan, and said, "You tell it, honey."

Dan, a graduate of UDSL, was familiar with most of the students studying at UD. So, when Caroline, a Yale graduate, began showing up at UD for the bar review courses, Dan immediately took notice. Although Dan "saw her first," he did not move fast enough because another UDSL graduate asked Caroline out first. The rest of the summer Dan settled for smiles and waves as the two passed in the halls.

Once in Columbus for the bar exam, however, that would all change. During the lunch break on the first day of the bar exam, Caroline and Dan ran into one another and Dan mustered up the courage to hold a conversation with her. Dan, the ever chivalrous gentleman, however, had driven to Columbus with another woman and "didn't feel comfortable asking Caroline for her phone number in front of the other girl." Ironically, though, Dan was comfortable enough to invite Caroline to a party after the exam. Caroline turned him down. She was leaving for Washington D.C. after the exam to spend time with friends from law school. Dan was down, but not out.

Not knowing her last name, however, Dan did not have much to go on. Not to be discouraged, and ever resourceful, Dan contacted the bar review coordinator and asked her for Caroline's phone number. Although the coordinator did not have her phone number, she informed Dan that Caroline would be clerking for The Honorable Walter H. Rice beginning in late-August.

Not wanting to wait that long, Dan, in a gutsy move, contacted the UDSL student that had taken Caroline out earlier that summer. Surprisingly, this young gentleman gave Dan her home phone number and told Dan that, "I think you guys would hit it off."

Finally, Dan called Caroline. Her dad answered. Caroline was in Germany for the next three weeks. Still not discouraged, Dan waited the three weeks and called her back. This time her brother answered. Caroline was at dinner with her mother, and he should "call back later." Dan called back and finally - finally - got in touch with Caroline. Dan recalls that he invited Caroline to a Cincinnati Reds baseball game that week; however, Caroline, not thinking that she would be able to leave work by 6:15 p.m., said that she would not be able to make it. (Laughing, Dan said, "Little did I know at the time, but that's so Caroline.") Notwithstanding all of the opportunities for these two to never actually get together, they eventually went on a date, had their second date the following day, and were engaged three months later.

The newly-minted Mr. and Mrs. Gentry decided to stay in the Dayton-area to continue their respective legal practices, as well as start a family. Both Dan and Caroline have a strong commitment to the Dayton community. When asked what initially brought Caroline back to Dayton after graduating from Yale, she stated that it was the opportunity to clerk for Judge Rice. Caroline clerked for Judge Rice from 19951997 and recalls that she gained "invaluable experience," including insight into the procedure and inner workings of the federal judiciary, as well as judges' likes and dislikes. "That experience makes me a better litigator today."

After her term ended with Judge Rice, Caroline worked for two law firms in Dayton, Faruki Ireland & Cox PLL and Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP. Caroline continues to work as a partner with Porter Wright. Caroline's commercial litigation practice affords her opportunities to travel and work on a variety of matters with national interest. Caroline minces no words about practicing in Dayton:
"I'm glad we stayed in Dayton. It is a great place to practice law. I didn't have to make a choice between work and family."

Dan graduated from law school and immediately started working for a law firm in Sidney, Ohio. Dan worked at the firm while studying for the bar exam and continued there until he accepted a position with Faruki Ireland & Cox. Seeking a change, Dan left Faruki to work in house for his father-in-law's business. Dan recalls that it was a "fun time, but very intimidating." "I had no science background, and this was a tech company. I needed to learn in short order." Dan worked for his father-in-law for a couple years; however, the economy turned and the company began to layoff tech-focused employees. "It was at that point that I knew that the company couldn't afford an in-house lawyer. I wasn't making the company money, so why should I stay?" Dan started to look elsewhere and found a job at Coolidge Wall. "My father-in-law and his business were long-standing Coolidge Wall clients. There was a relationship there already." Dan continues his practice with Coolidge today.

With thriving legal careers, and a growing family, Dan and Caroline admit that finding the ever elusive balance between work and home remains a struggle. Caroline comments that their move from north Dayton to Oakwood allowed them proximity between work and home that eased some of the burden. They also worked out a schedule that fits their careers, and their family. Dan wakes up with their two children, Noah 10 and Rebecca 8, takes over breakfast duties and walks them to school each morning. Caroline makes sure to leave work by 5:00 p.m. to be home for the children. According to Caroline, "There is a good division of labor. We sync our calendars so that we never double book." The Gentrys are also fortunate to have family and friends nearby. "We have a great support system in place."

As if work and family are not enough to fill their calendars, Dan and Caroline are both heavily involved in volunteer and charitable organizations throughout the community. Dan is a member of Leadership Dayton, the Knights of Columbus and serves on the boards of Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Foundation. Caroline serves on several boards, including the Asian Arts Center and The Entrepreneurs Center, is a fellow with the Ohio State Bar Foundation, and takes an active role in pro bono work. Both Dan and Caroline agree that, "social justice, community and our religion are very important to us."

As evidenced above, Dan and Caroline are extremely accomplished in their own right. When asked what goals they have yet to achieve, both respond that a happy, healthy family always remains a priority. Also, maintaining their family life despite the demands of their jobs. They admit that "you always feel like you can do more." Dan also stated that he "wants Dayton lawyers represented well wherever they may practice. We need to do our part to promote collegiality in the profession." Caroline agrees and adds that, "I think we'd both like to see Dayton bounce back. We're from here, we've seen what it can be, we've seen it hit hard times, and now we want to see it come back." Recognizing their own ability to affect Dayton's come back, Dan maintains that "Dayton is a very good place to practice law, but we can always do better. I'm proud to practice here."

Not to discount any implication that these two seem to have the perfect life - as both readily admit that neither is perfect their ability to keep a sense of humor about their work and their lives is a testament to their survival of daily struggles (big and small). For example, Dan recalls a time, several years ago, when he was home with his children while Caroline was traveling for work. "Both of the kids were sick, humidifiers were going, and something set off the fire alarm in the middle of the night." Dan raced out of bed and headed to the basement; though, with no real idea how to shut the alarm off. "I unplugged everything and the alarm was still raging." Eventually, Dan figured out how to shut the alarm off, and raced back upstairs, expecting both children to be wailing for him. Noah and Rebecca, however, blissfully unaware of their father's late-night adventure, slept soundly through the entire thing. "I climbed back into bed, heart racing, adrenaline pumping - the kids woke up the next morning none the wiser."

It is the sum of those daily sacrifices, both big and small, that keep Dan and Caroline moving forward professionally and personally. Clearly, both have a strong commitment to their careers and their family. Though their endeavor to maintain a balance between work and family is not new, their work-ethic, mutual respect for one another, and ability to keep a sense of humor about where they've been and where they're going is something from which each of us can learn and benefit.

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