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	Ex-Judge Overseeing Payment Lambros to Assist in Clergy-Sex Case By Jim Hannah jhannah@nky.com The Cincinnati Enquirer [Kentucky] March 20, 2006 http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20060320/NEWS0103/603200383/-1/CINCI A retired federal judge known for pioneering ways to settle disputes outside of court has taken a central role in the class-action lawsuit alleging the Covington Diocese covered up sexual abuse by its priests for decades. Thomas Lambros, 76, of Ashtabula in northern Ohio, was appointed last week to help oversee the disbursement of an $85 million settlement to about 300 people who claim to have been abused. Lambros will report to the presiding judge in the case, John Potter of Louisville. "Even though we are going to address the individual claims, it is also important the public is aware the judge, lawyers, Burleigh and I recognize the enormity of our responsibility," Lambros said. Lambros will work with E.W. Scripps Co. Chairman William Burleigh to determine the amounts to be awarded each claimant, awards that could be as high as $1 million. Burleigh was an original member of the National Review Board, a 13-member panel of lay Catholics formed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002 to implement their new policy on handling priest sexual abuse. Lambros and Burleigh met for the first time several weeks ago. Lambros said each will act as equals in evaluating each claim. "I hope with the combination of Bill Burleigh's background and my judicial background we can put together a very effective process to address these claims to the extent that justice is served," he said. He said his biggest challenge in the diocese case will be to win the confidence and trust of everyone that is involved in the process - victims, the diocese, the lawyers and the community. His peers think he's up to the task. "He will bring a level head to the situation," said U.S. District Judge Arthur Spiegel of Cincinnati, who has worked with Lambros. "He is a sensible but well-balanced individual who I think will be able to work with the lawyers and others. That's not easy when you are talking about the emotional distress involved in church sex-abuse claims." But Lambros is no stranger to emotionally charged cases. He has seen more than his share in his 35 years as a judge. One of the most noteworthy rulings in his career involved a heated labor dispute between U.S. Steel and its workers in Youngstown, Ohio. In 1980, Lambros ruled that U.S. Steel did not have a binding contract with the steelworkers and was under no obligation to keep the Youngstown plants in operation. Lambros stopped the company, however, from dismantling the plants for 60 days, pending a ruling on possible antitrust violations. In addition to maintaining a cool head under pressure, Lambros also is known as a pioneer in the field of alternative dispute resolution - or ways to resolve complaints outside of potentially lengthy and expensive court trials.
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