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Judge Williams receives Akron Law Outstanding Alumni Award
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: August 19, 2022
When Akron Municipal Court Judge Annalisa Stubbs Williams learned she had been accepted to The University of Akron School of Law in 1980, she said it was the beginning of a journey to make her dream of serving the public a reality.
“I was interested in going to law school at a young age,” said Judge Williams. “When I applied I was not sure I would get in because although my undergraduate grades were outstanding, my LSAT scores were not,” said Judge Williams.
Luckily for the judge, her longtime mentor attorney and Kent State University Emeritus Professor and Emeritus Vice President for Human Resources Charles L. Greene went to bat for her, writing a letter to Dean Albert Rakas that she said helped her get into Akron Law.
“Charles was a graduating senior at the law school when he wrote the letter and he spoke to the dean on my behalf,” said Judge Williams.
“I met Judge Williams when I was assistant dean of student affairs at Kent State,” said Greene. “She had just arrived on campus and was going through the orientation process. She needed directions to find a particular hall at the university.
“After we spoke, I invited her to stop by my office and over the years we kept in touch,” said Greene. “I remember that she was not confident she would be successful at Kent State. She ended up graduating cum laude in three years.
“As a kid, she had aspirations to be a lawyer and a judge but she was teased because she had a speech impediment,” said Greene. “She corrected that problem and has overcome numerous challenges since then.”
So when Greene learned that Judge Williams was chosen to receive an Outstanding Alumni Award from Akron Law, he said he wasn’t surprised.
“She has an amazing work ethic and a commitment to integrity and excellence in all she does, so she’s an excellent choice for the award.”
Recipients are selected by members of the Akron Law Alumni Board based on their professional accomplishments, service to the law school, the community and/or the profession.
“Honorees must be living graduates of the law school,” said Akron Law Alumni Board President Darrin Toney. “There’s usually a short list of individuals to choose from and we generally have three winners. This year we only had two.”
The other honoree for 2022 was Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs Managing Partner Steve Dimengo.
The accolades were presented to both recipients on May 13 during a breakfast ceremony at the university’s Jean Hower Taber Student Union.
“Judge Annalisa Stubbs Williams is a longtime judge, who is very well thought of on the bench,” said Toney, director of human resources and general counsel for the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority. “Prior to her judgeship she was a distinguished attorney.
“Throughout her career, Judge Williams has demonstrated a strong commitment to the legal profession and to the practice of law,” Toney said. “She is an extremely good and deserving candidate for the award.”
“It was extremely humbling, especially when I look back on law school,” said Judge Williams. “I have always been a person of faith, but I never prayed as much as when I was at Akron Law.
“In law school, I learned the three Ps—prayer, patience and perseverance. Those same principles have guided me throughout my personal and professional life.
“But the greatest gift I received from Akron Law besides a stellar legal education was the opportunity to meet my husband Michael Williams. We have two wonderful adult children.”
“We are thrilled that Judge Williams was recognized by the members of the Akron Law alumni for her dedication to the law school and the legal community,” said Akron Law Dean Emily Janoski-Haehlen. “Judge Williams is an active member of the Greater Akron community and has given so much of her time and self to the community. She embodies the spirit of the original mission of Akron Law, producing attorneys that will affect the destiny of Akron and the nation.”
A native of Youngstown, Judge Williams graduated from South High School in 1974.
After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in political science from Kent State, she began working for the Ohio Civil Rights Commission as a field investigator. At the same time, she enrolled in a master’s degree program at The University of Akron.
After earning her master’s degree in urban studies, she became employed as an EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) officer (and later employee relations manager) for the METRO Regional Transit Authority. She also began the evening program at Akron Law.
Judge Williams obtained her juris doctorate in 1984. She began her legal career as an assistant law director in the criminal division of the Akron Law Department. After serving two and a half years, she moved to the civil division, where she worked for another two and a half years.
Judge Williams entered then the private sector, taking on the role of risk management liability manager at Roadway Services Inc.
After leaving Roadway Services in 1992, she started a solo practice, where she handled a wide variety of matters ranging from criminal and domestic relations cases to bankruptcy and probate. She continued to represent clients until November 2003 when she was elected to the bench.
She was also a part-time referee at Summit County Domestic Relations Court between May 1992 and June 1993 and a Summit County Human Resources Commissioner from 1997 to 2003.
Judge Williams took the Akron Municipal Court bench in December 2003 and served three terms as administrative/presiding judge.
She has presided over the Mental Health Court since 2005. The certified specialized docket is dedicated to diverting individuals with mental illness away from the local jail and criminal justice system.
Judge Williams also presides over the Peace of Mind Program, which helps women with trauma issues who have been placed on probation.
The program earned the Ohio State Bar Association’s 2018 Innovative Court Programs and Practices Award.
“I am truly blessed to be doing what I am doing,” said Judge Williams. “Municipal courts are problem-solving courts and that’s what I enjoy.
“I am especially passionate about those suffering with mental health issues and I’ve created and led special programming for defendants with diagnoses ranging from depression to Schizophrenia. I listen to them, work with them to solve problems, encourage them to pursue their dreams and offer advice. My heart fills with so much joy when I see an individual create a new life path.
“I have been blessed by so many people my entire life and my life experiences have taught me that it is the smallest acts of kindest that you do for others that can positively change the world for the better.”
A longtime member of the Ohio State, Akron, American and National bar associations, Judge Williams has served on the Akron Bar Association Board of Trustees and is a former chair of the Criminal Law Committee (now Criminal Law Section). While chair, she created the Clothes for Clients program to provide appropriate attire for criminal defendants.
Judge Williams is also a member of the Akron-Canton Barristers Association, the Association of Municipal/County Judges of Ohio, The Charles F. Scanlon and Judge Samuel H. Bell American Inn of Court and is a founding member of the Ohio Black Judges Association.
In 2015, the Ohio Supreme Court appointed Judge Williams to the Commission on Specialized Dockets and two years later, she was selected by the court to serve as a member of the Judicial College.
A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and a lifetime member of the NAACP and the Girl Scouts of America, Judge Williams is a lifetime certified Bridges Out of Poverty trainer.
Over the years, she has served on numerous judicial task forces, professional organizations and community and civic boards, including Summit County Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services, United Way, the YWCA, the Akron Law Alumni Association and the Kent State University Alumni Association National Board of Directors, to name but a few.
“When I retired from Kent, Judge Williams spoke at the ceremony,” said Greene. “During her speech, she challenged me to start the Charles L. Greene Endowed Scholarship, which goes to a first-generation undergraduate student.
“The scholarship is now fully endowed and she was one of the first contributors.”
In addition to being presented with Akron Law’s Outstanding Alumni Award, Judge Williams is a recipient of the Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award for distinguished service in the field of law, the Akron Bar Association Diversity Award, the Heroes Making a Difference Award from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Summit County, the Summit County ADM Board’s Drs. Fred and Penny Frese (education) Award, Kent State University Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio’s Women of Distinction Award along with many others.
As for the future, Judge Williams said she plans to stay her current course, which includes running for re-election in 2023.
“I’m very proud of the work that I’ve done on the Akron Municipal Court bench and I want to continue to build on the great programming that the court is recognized for nationally,” said Judge Williams.