LeBron James didn’t need directions on his way to jury duty Thursday morning at the Summit County Courthouse.
The Akron native has been there a few times since his days at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, including once each as a plaintiff and as a defendant in civil litigation.
His court record: two wins, zero losses.
Even before graduating and winning his last state high school basketball title, James sued the Ohio High School Athletic Association after the sports governing body had declared him ineligible. His infraction: accepting two throwback sports jerseys from a Cleveland retailer that were worth $845.
The case, in the winter of 2003, attracted so much national attention the county clerk of courts website created a unique direct link on its home page labeled “LeBron James Latest Case Filing” in the St. V-M colors of green and gold.
James missed two games before Common Pleas Judge James R. Williams dismissed his lawsuit. That ruling, however, also blocked the OHSAA from keeping The Chosen One off the court any longer, and St. V-M went on to win the state title for the third time in James’ four trips to Columbus.
He went on to become the first pick in the NBA Draft by the hometown Cleveland Cavaliers.
In 2005, James was back in court, defending himself in a $15 million dollar lawsuit brought by a movie producer who alleged James breached a contract to film a documentary while still in high school.
By this time, James was a bigger attraction and an NBA All-Star. Extra security was in place to keep him isolated. Yet, he sat at the defendant’s table in Judge Jane Bond’s courtroom amid the buzz in the hallways.
One newspaper reporter even found himself behind the 6-foot-8 James while they waited in the courthouse cafeteria. The reporter duly noted James’ food choices: two breaded chicken sandwiches, two small bags of Doritos and one package of vanilla Hostess cupcakes. James washed it all down with an iced tea and paid his tab with a $100 bill.
Later, jurors voted 6-2 in James’ favor, finding that neither he nor his family had committed to filming the documentary with a local entertainment promoter.
Phil Trexler can be reached at 330-995-3717 or ptrexler@thebeaconjournal.com.