The Akron Legal News

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Former Akron Bar president discusses new role at the OSBA

SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter

Published: December 3, 2021

Since beginning his legal career in 1985, Roderick Linton Belfance Principal William Chris has held several key leadership positions at the Akron Bar Association and other organizations.
Now Chris has stepped into a new role as the District 11 representative for the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) Board of Governors, where he will work to support and promote the interests of attorneys who practice in Summit and Portage counties.
The 24-member volunteer board is charged with managing the OSBA’s business affairs, setting policy, reviewing pending legislation and exploring opportunities that benefit members.
The OSBA Board of Governors is an active board, with oversight over an $11 million budget and assets of more than $50 million. Board terms are three years. During their initial year of service, new board members attend orientation and other educational sessions.
Chris began his three-year term on July 1 after being elected during the annual District 11 meeting last March.
“I am very excited to serve as District 11 representative,” said Chris. “District 11 serves the counties of Summit and Portage. While I am still learning the ropes, my overall goal is to make it easier for attorneys to practice law in northeast Ohio.”
Chris replaced former Akron Bar Association President Larry Scanlon, who had served in the role since 2018.
“I nominated Bill for the position,” said Scanlon, managing partner at Scanlon & Elliott in Akron. “I’ve known Bill ever since he got out of law school. He is honest, ethical, smart, organized and meticulous and I am confident he will provide solid leadership for the OSBA.
“As District 11 representative, Bill will be dealing with a number of challenges, including financial issues, membership retention problems and Covid,” said Scanlon. “I believe his skill set will enable him to handle all of those issues. He has been the managing partner of his firm and is an all-around great guy who is committed to the bar association.”
Born in Akron and raised in North Canton, Chris received his bachelor’s degree in communication and rhetoric from The University of Akron and his juris doctor from The University of Toledo College of Law.
He began his career as an associate at Nukes & Perantinides Co., where he primarily focused on insurance defense. 
Prior to joining Roderick Linton Belfance as a partner in 2001, he was a partner at Engle & Chris.
A member of the executive committee at Roderick Linton Belfance, Chris focuses on matters ranging from business litigation to insurance defense.
Since joining the Akron Bar Association in 1985, Chris has served as president (2018-2019), trustee and bar counsel (April 2009 to September 2012). He’s also chaired several committees.
An Akron Bar Foundation fellow, Chris completed two terms as secretary of the foundation’s board of governors and is known for donating bottles of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon at the foundation’s annual gala.
Chris is a past president of the Ohio Chapter of the National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators and has served on its national board.
He is also a member of the Portage County, Florida and American bar associations.
“I believe bar membership is very important,” said Chris. “Bar associations provide networking opportunities to members and serve as a sounding board for attorneys looking to bounce ideas off one another. For me, membership has allowed me to become closer to a lot of great attorneys in our area.
“As District 11 representative, I will be hosting our annual meeting in the spring of 2022,” said Chris.
Chris has been assigned to the OSBA Budget & Headquarters Committee due to his past experience in the construction industry and Akron Bar leadership roles.
“As a representative for District 11 and an ambassador for the OSBA, I expect to be dealing with a variety of business-related issues, including promoting OSBA activities and membership,” said Chris. “First and foremost, my job will be to help promote a positive image of lawyers in our community.”


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