From the President

For my last message as President of the Akron Bar Association, I simply would like to say “Thank you” for granting me the privilege to serve. I would have stopped this message with “Thank you,” but Janet Griffing-LaBonne, our Bar marketing director said that I had to say more. After dealing with me for the last year, Janet has decided to retire. Her service and dedication will be missed. It is my speculation that she wants to go out on top after my presidency, although some have suggested that it may be because of me that she decided to retire. Either way, I guess I played a role.


REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, JUNE 21 AT 3 PM.
WALK-INS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT THIS EVENT.
Friday, June 14
FREE CLE Sponsored by the Law Library Committee of the Akron Bar Foundation

 
Monday, June 17, 2019

 
Friday, June 21
3-hour seminar hosted by the Estate Planning, Probate & Elder Law Section

Friday, August 2
FREE CLE Sponsored by the Law Library Committee of the Akron Bar Foundation

 
Thursday, August 29


Tuesday, September 17
Akron Bar Association Members receive FREE Registration for this 1.5-hour Professional Conduct CLE courtesy of the Bradford M. “Buck” Gearinger Fund of the Akron Bar Foundation

CLICK ON THE HIGHLIGHTED LINKS ABOVE TO REGISTER. VIEW THE FULL CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS HERE....

Don't forget that we also offer online CLE 24/7/365! Click here to view the catalog and to register.
Akron Bar Directory Clearance Sale!

The 2019 edition of the Akron Bar Association legal directory is the last one that will be available in print. Production costs and dwindling sales fueled the decision to end print production. Bar members will still be able to access the online directory by logging in to the website and clicking on their "MyAkronBar" personal landing page. Links to the 2019 courts information is available on the website under "Member Center."

We still have quite a stock of 2018 and 2019 directories available at discount:
2018 Directory - Member Pricing - Was: $49 Now: $12.25
2018 Directory - Non-Member Pricing - Was: $69 Now: $17.25

2019 Directory - Member Pricing - Was: $49 Now: $24.50
2019 Directory - Non-Member Pricing - Was: $69 Now: $34.50

Directories are available at the Akron Bar office reception desk during regular hours. 
Akron Bar Foundation Awards $112,709 in Grants and Scholarships to Area Organizations and Law Students

The Akron Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the Akron Bar Association, recently made its annual community grant, scholarship, and fellowship awards, totaling $112,709.

The following local organizations received grants to help subsidize their programs:

  • Akron Municipal Court: RISE Program & OVI Court Material
  • Akron Municipal Court Probation Department: Peace of Mind Program (Female Misdemeanor Offenders)
  • Battered Women's Shelter of Summit & Medina Counties: Justice System Advocacy for Domestic Violence Victims
  • Bondage Breakers: Laying a Faithful Cooperative Foundation for Future Generations
  • Broken Chains Ministry: Restorative Justice Program
  • Rape Crisis Center of Summit & Medina Counties: Outreach, Education and Violence Prevention
  • The Salvation Army Summit County Area Services: Community Service Worker Program
  • Victim Assistance Program: 2019 Akron Municipal Court Advocacy Program
From the Courts

Ninth District Court Names New Mediator
The Ninth District Court of Appeals has selected John Minter to serve as the Court’s new Mediation Attorney. More than two dozen attorneys applied, from out-of-state to local attorneys. The Court conducted preliminary interviews with more than a dozen applicants and narrowed the pool to six. The finalists completed a mediation simulation before a second interview.

Mr. Minter has a varied background in private practice and the public sector, but his extensive mediation experience distinguished him. He comes to the Ninth District from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas where he served as a mediator for the General Division of the Court and as the Assistant Dispute Resolution Department Administrator. Prior to becoming the assistant administrator, Mr. Minter was the director of the Cuyahoga County Court’s Foreclosure Mediation Program.

Member News

Common Pleas Court Probation Program Makes the Headlines

A June 9 article in the Akron Beacon Journal covers the first hearing under the new Summit County Offender Recidivism Reduction (SCORR) program, a traditional probation alternative overseen by Judge Amy Corrigall Jones, and designed to provide more frequent interaction with probation officers and the judge in order to keep participants on track to reclaim their lives. 

In Memoriam














Leland Dean Cole
June 2, 2019

On the 2nd of June, 2019, Leland (Lee) Dean Cole, passed away peacefully at the age of 79. Lee was born on September 8, 1939 in Little River, Kans. to Reland and Florine Cole. Lee graduated from the University of Kansas in 1961 and received his JD degree from the Moritz College of Law in 1968 at the  Ohio State University . He was a proud member of the Moot Court Team at OSU.

Practice Builders

Online Dispute Resolution Can Make
Local Courts More Efficient

They say that time is money, and lawyers would not dispute that. But consider that the time spent in court can cost your client money, too, particularly if taking time off from work, traveling to the courthouse, paying for parking, and other expenses creates a real financial hardship.

Enter the concept of "online dispute resolution." This intersection of law and technology helps address access to justice issues for your client and create more time in your schedule, too.

Here is University of Michigan Law School Professor J.J. Prescott discussing his research and the creation of his company that works with court systems to institute online dispute resolution.
Don't Forget the "Clothing for Indigent Defendants" Service
The Akron Bar, in partnership with Goodwill Industries, has completed the protocols and procedures for giving defense counsel access to courtroom-suitable clothing for their indigent clients. Click here for the procedure to obtain clothing....

Thanks to all who have been cleaning out their closets and contributing to the "Fill the Closet" Drive! We're almost ready to send another van full of clothing to Goodwill. Please donate today!
Akron Bar Association
57 South Broadway, Akron, OH 44308
Phone: (330) 253-5007
Fax: (330) 253-2140