The Hamilton native had been practicing law since 1976 when he graduated from University of Cincinnati College of Law after graduating from Miami University and serving in the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam.
“It is a big loss to the legal community and a bigger loss of him as a man,” said attorney David Washington. “We all loved him.”
His career included practicing law with the firms Wood & Lamping; Holbrock & Jonson; and Bressler, Shanks & Gedling before opening his own criminal law practice in Hamilton.
In 2009, Shanks teamed up with attorney Chris Pagan to defend Dr. Mark Blankenburg, who along with his twin brother, Scott, were convicted on a multitude of charges involving sex, drugs and illicit photos of young patients in their pediatric practice.
Shanks and attorney Greg Howard defended Jose Trinidad Loza, who is now on death row after being convicted of murdering his girlfriend’s mother, his girlfriend’s brother and girlfriend’s sisters, in their Middletown home.
Pagan said simply, “He was my best friend and the best attorney I knew.”
Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser also praised Shanks as an attorney and a man, even though they were on opposite sides when trying cases.
“He was an outstanding lawyer,” Gmoser said. “Professional with high ethics.”
Gmoser was an assistant prosecutor when Shanks first started practicing law and they started going head to head in the courtroom.
“He was always on top of his game … unflappable. It was great to see how his mind worked,” Gmoser said. “But he was also a humorous guy. He made me laugh and we fought like dogs in the courtroom.”
Howard remembered Shanks as a mentor and said for the young attorneys who never saw Shanks in action, especially during cross examination, they missed something special.
“He was a great trial lawyer. I learned so much from him,” Howard said.
Shanks is survived by his wife of 20 years, Beth; his four children and three grandchildren.
“Everyone knew Mike as an attorney, but there was another side. I dearly loved spending time with his children and he adored his grandchildren,” Beth Shanks said.
When not in court, Shanks enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson and working out at Wayne’s Gym.
A visitation will be held at Ivey Funeral Home, 2565 Princeton Road, Hamilton, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, with a celebration of life to follow. Burial with military honors will follow in Rose Hill Burial Park. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Shank’s honor to the Vietnam Veterans of America Association or Wounded Warrior Project.
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