The Akron Legal News

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Brouse McDowell associate receives “30 for the Future” award

SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter

Published: September 13, 2017

As the son of two prominent judges in Summit County, attorney Christopher Teodosio said he got the chance to preview life as a legal professional early on.

“My grandfather, Al Teodosio, was also an attorney and I saw how his and my parents’ profession allowed them to help their clients and give back to the community. Seeing the positive impact they made on so many lives solidified my decision to become an attorney,” said Teodosio.

After graduating from Clemson University in South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in financial management, he moved back to the Akron area where he was raised and obtained his juris doctor and a master’s degree in business administration from The University of Akron.

He currently lives in Munroe Falls with his wife Katherine and daughter Charlotte.

Teodosio began his legal career as an associate at Brouse McDowell in 2012.

“In my third year of law school, I had the opportunity to assist attorney Jeff Heintz with some projects and I was asked to join the firm after I passed the bar,” said Teodosio.

His primary focus is litigation.

“Litigation has always been exciting to me because each case involves different factual scenarios, legal issues and strategy,” said Teodosio.

“The attorneys at Brouse really take an interest in mentoring younger attorneys.

“I attribute a lot of my professional development to mentors like Jeff and others that I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from. My favorite part of my job is helping my clients through difficult problems.”

Teodosio also makes it a point to give back to the community, sitting on the board of directors of Torchbearers, a nonprofit organization that seeks to strengthen the connection between Akron area nonprofits and local young professionals, preparing members to take on leadership roles in their communities.

“We have a very active board that has helped me to become more aware of the issues in the Akron area,” said Teodosio, 30.

From 2013 through 2016, Teodosio served on Summit County’s ADM (Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services) board.

Teodosio is also involved in a much more personal endeavor as president of the nonprofit Andrea Rose Teodosio Foundation, created in honor of his sister, who was tragically killed in 2011 at the age of 22 in a skiing accident at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia.

“The loss of Andrea was devastating to our family,” said Teodosio. “She was an amazing person who would have done many great things for the Summit County community. The foundation seeks to give back to the community in ways that she would have and carry on her legacy.

“We do things such as distribute prom dresses to those in need so that they can attend their homecoming events,” said Teodosio. “The foundation has also donated raised garden beds and provided hats, gloves and socks to the homeless.

“In addition, the foundation has provided funds to the Akron Children’s Museum for an exhibit, the Battered Women’s Shelter to renovate two rooms and Stewart’s Caring Place for wigs and summer camp for people struggling with cancer.”

In mid-July Teodosio was notified that he was named one of this year’s 30 recipients of the Greater Akron Chamber “30 for the Future” award.

Each year young professionals between the ages of 25 and 39 are chosen to receive the awards based on their professional accomplishments, leadership and community service.

“I was very surprised and honored,” said Teodosio. “The Akron community is one in which many people are willing to give back so there are many who are deserving of this award.

“I believe it’s important to give back because when you help people you make the entire community a better place to live.”

Brouse McDowell Managing Partner Marc Merklin said he wasn’t surprised that Teodosio received the award.

“Chris is a very bright and articulate young lawyer, with a good work ethic,” said Merklin. “He is very deserving of this recognition.

“Both of his parents are judges and they are very involved in the community,” he said. “However he has not just rested on their achievements, he has struck out on his own. Our firm has a long history of people being involved in the community and we appreciate the fact that he is continuing the tradition.”

His mother, Summit County Juvenile Court Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio, said she is very pleased that her son has made community service a priority.

 “I think he grew up being around the law and observing his grandfather and parents in the law,” said Judge Tucci Teodosio. “We were pleased that he chose to enter the legal field but had always encouraged him to choose a profession that he believed would be professionally and personally satisfying.

“We were happy that he chose to go to law school, but even more pleased that he chose to give back to the community,” said Judge Tucci Teodosio. “I hope he continues to remain involved. While the recognition is nice, in my mind his contribution and dedication to making his community a better place is what’s most important.”

Going forward, Teodosio said he would like to focus on “providing resources and education to those less fortunate in the Summit County community through the Andrea Rose Teodosio Memorial Foundation.”

Teodosio and the other “30 for the Future” award recipients were honored during a ceremony on Sept. 7 at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn.


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