Your September 2017 News
from the Akron Bar Association
Let Akron Bar's Lawyer Referral Connect You to New Clients

It is a new day at the Akron Bar's Lawyer Referral and Information Service. Using the Bar's Task Force on LRIS and the re-formed LRIS Committee as springboards, we are embracing a new look and a new attitude. Our new LRIS Director, Matthew Albright, is committed to leading the Service in ways that will help build your client base by providing a steady flow of worthwhile referrals. We will be concentrating our marketing and advertising efforts to attract middle- and upper-middle income clients who are able to pay legal fees, but who need help in finding the right lawyer for them.

During fiscal year 2016-2017, LRIS made over 1400 referrals to member-attorneys, generating $300,000 in attorney fees, and $45,000 of income to the Akron Bar . We can grow those numbers and help you grow your practice when you become an Akron Bar LRIS panelist. Click here to read more about how to apply. Also watch next month's Examiner for details on a special incentive to make joining an easy decision!
UA Law School Unveils $21 Million Renovation

The UA School of Law is starting the new fall semester in a completely renovated C. Blake McDowell Law Center.

Designed by RCG Architects, the 107,584 square-foot building includes a new 12,350 square-foot west wing addition, bringing together a student population of about 500 and full-time faculty and staff of nearly 60.

The $21 million renovation is debt-free, thanks to more than a decade of planning and saving, and to the generosity of hundreds of private donors. 

Named donors include $3 million from Beatrice K. McDowell; David and Ann Amer Brennan donated $1.5 million. Law firm donations from Tzangas Plakas Mannos ($100,000); Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs ($75,000); Brennan Manna Diamond ($75,000); Brouse McDowell ($50,000) and Roetzel & Andress ($25,000). Individual named donors: Dianne and Herb Newman ($200,000); Sally S. Benson (’74) ($50,000); Jeffrey (’85) and René Savarise ($50,000); Cols. Dale (’78) and Cynthia Woodling, Dean Emeritus (’64) and Mrs. Donald M. Jenkins, and Mary Kay (’81) and Terrence Finn (collectively $50,000); Daniel (’72) and Jill Wallen ($50,000); The Skelton Family ($25,000). Read more....
Are You a New Lawyer Looking for
a Place to Call Home?

The Akron Bar’s Incubator Program is looking for new attorneys to set up offices in our Barberton Incubator. Lawyers in the program are solo practitioners who work with an experienced mentor and ABA leadership to establish practices in Summit County.   Read more...
National Task Force Report Offers Solid Solutions for Attorney Wellness
by Susan Baker Ross, Akron Bar Lawyers Assistance Committee Co-Chair

Attorney Wellness is a trending topic for good reason. The results of the ABA CoLAP & Hazelden Foundation’s study of mental health and substance use disorders among lawyers (2016) should give us all pause for concern. 

The study released in 2016 involved research with 13,000 licensed practicing attorneys. It found that 21-36% of the attorneys qualified as problem drinkers, 28% were struggling with depression, 19% with anxiety, and 23% with stress. Read more....
Leadership Empowerment Conference for Women in Law

Wednesday, September 13
Registration: 8:30 am
Conference: 9 am-4:15 pm

DoubleTree by Hilton
3150 W. Market St., Akron

5 General CLE Credits
1 Professional Conduct Credit

Sponsored by the Akron Bar Association Women in Law Section

This conference will address the unique issues and opportunities that female attorneys must navigate in their careers. Our guest speakers are the founding partners of one of the largest entirely female-owned law firms in the Chicago area. Attorneys Nicole M. Waltz, Mildred V. Palmer, and Susan L. Dawson will address:

  • How to Build a Better Law Firm: The Unique Way WP&D Offers Services - Fee Agreements, Entirely Paperless Office, All-Female Business Model
  • Work/Life Balance and Time Management
  • Obstacles Facing Women in the Legal Profession
The Akron Bar Association, The University of Akron School of Law & The University of Akron Center for Family Studies present....

(click on title for registration link) 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017
Quaker Station, 135 S. Broadway St., Akron
Registration: 8 am
Seminar: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (lunch included!) 
6.5 CLE Credits ( Continuing education credits (CEU/PDU/MCE) also available)   
$210 Members/$255 Non-Members

Featuring:
Mary Meg McCarthy, Executive Director of the National Immigration Justice Center
Joe Cimperman, President, Global Cleveland
Parminder Parmar, Penn State University
Mayor Dan Horrigan, City of Akron
Ilene Shapiro, Summit County Executive

Topics include: 
“Immigration 101” – Understanding Current Immigration Law
Parenting in Immigrant Families 
“In Their Own Words” – Personal Stories from Immigrants/Refugees
Breakout Sessions: Justice for Immigrants, Custody/Guardianship, Social Services & Educational Issues
National Perspectives and Local Solutions
The Global Cleveland Experience
Summit County Panel Discussion
What We Did on Our Summer Vacation!

While summer at the Akron Bar is usually about getting ready for the CLEs, section, and committee meetings of fall, we did take some time to get out into the community. And then there was the very first Bocce Tournament which was a huge hit with Bar members. See this month's photo album....
Here's a Legal Practice Growth Opportunity You Might Have Missed

Did you know that the Akron Bar Association works with Community Legal Aid to provide a
Modest Means Referral Program (MMRP)?

MMRP attorneys agree to charge no more than $60/hour for those who qualify. Cases are prescreened through CLAS.

Click here for more information and the application form. 
September 2017 CLEs at the Akron Bar


Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Double Tree by Hilton in Fairlawn
6 CLE Credits (including 1 Professional Conduct)

Thursday, September 14, 2017
Quaker Station, University of Akron
6 CLE Credits

Friday, September 15, 2017
Embassy Suites Independence
5.75 CLE Credits
REDUCED CLE PRICING!!! $100 for Akron Bar Members

Wednesday, September 20, 2017
3 CLE Credits/3 NLT Credits

Wednesday, September 27, 2017
3 CLE Credits

Friday, September 29, 2017
Summit County Juvenile Court
2 CLE Credits 

Click on the CLE titles above for more information and to register. 

In 2017, every member of the Akron Bar Association is eligible to receive
ONE HOUR OF FREE CLE (up to $35.00 value) compliments of the Law Library Committee of the Akron Bar Foundation (one time use only). 
A Special Bar Association Benefit for New/Recent Admittees!

Did you know that all new/recent admittees who join the Akron Bar Association also receive a free law library membership? If you are a first- through fourth-year legal practitioner, you qualify for this benefit. Click here to apply for your FREE Akron Law Library membership.
In Memoriam

John W. Solomon
August 28, 2017

John was born in Queens, New York, received a degree in government from Cornell and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

He worked for Brouse & McDowell for thirty years. He left that firm in 2004 as part of a group that opened the Akron office of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease. John retired in 2012 but remained active in various pro bono activities.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, September 9, 2017 at the First Congregational Church of Akron, 292 E. Market St.

Fastcase Tip-of-the-Month


Having a hard time figuring out what terms to use when researching an unfamiliar topic? With the new Tag Cloud on Fastcase 7, Fastcase can help identify those important terms for you! Whenever you run a search on Fastcase 7, the Tag Cloud appears in the bottom left corner, showing you at a glance what other words and phrases you might want to include in your search. The larger the phrase, the more frequently it is mentioned in your search results. Select any word or phrase in the Tag Cloud , and your results will only include those cases that contain that phrase. Right-clicking the word will let you exclude all cases that mention it. Search results can now be significantly narrowed down with one click of a button!  
Akron Bar Association Foundation:
Give ‘til it...helps!

The Akron Bar Association Foundation is our charitable entity that supports a variety of activities including providing community grants and scholarships to law students. The Foundation’s primary fundraiser is the annual Gala, but we offer many other ways to give toward the support of the legal programs and initiatives that make us a premier membership organization.
Akron Bar Association
57 South Broadway, Akron, OH 44308
Phone: (330) 253-5007
Fax: (330) 253-2140