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Magistrate Towell discusses goals and military service
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: August 28, 2020
As a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps, Jennifer Towell spent the majority of her time as a criminal defense attorney representing sailors and marines in contested cases involving charges of rape, assault, indecent acts with a child, fraud against the government, attempted murder and a variety of military offenses.
Stationed in Washington D.C. in 2001 during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, she was also called upon to counsel family members whose relatives and spouses died in the attack on the Pentagon.
While a difficult time for the entire country, she said the experience strengthened her commitment to public service. Although no longer a member of the JAG Corps, Towell, now a magistrate in the Akron Municipal Court, said she remains committed to giving back.
“In a way serving as a magistrate is a lot like being in the military since it is a public service role,” said Towell, who was sworn in by Akron Municipal Court Judge Jon Oldham on Sept. 4, 2019. “I split my time on the bench with Magistrate Kani Hightower. I primarily hear eviction, small claims, revivor and garnishment cases Monday through Wednesday.
“I find a lot of value and satisfaction in interfacing with the public every day and doing my part to ensure that anyone who comes before me feels justice has been served.”
Akron Municipal Court Administrative/Presiding Judge Nicole Walker said Towell has “an amazing work ethic” and is a “decisive” decision-maker.
“I have known Jennifer for a long time,” said Judge Walker. “She has a very impressive resume and everyone here is pleased that she is part of our team.”
Born in Alliance, Nebraska, Towell’s family moved to Dayton, Ohio when she was in sixth grade. She received her bachelor’s degree in English Secondary Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, working as a substitute teacher in the area before starting at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
During law school, Towell did a legal internship at the Ohio Department of Education, spent a summer abroad at the University of Oxford in England studying comparative criminal law and worked as a law clerk in the Dayton office of Sebaly Shillito + Dyer.
While a rising 3L, she was sworn in as a Navy JAG Corps officer. After receiving her juris doctorate in 2000, she attended Officer Indoctrination School and then JAG School in Newport, Rhode Island.
Afterward, she was stationed on the USS Laboon (DDG 58) in Norfolk, Virginia for Officer at Sea training before arriving at her duty station at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington D.C., where she served as a Naval Legal Service officer from 2001-2004.
Towell received several awards for her service, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
During her time in the JAG Corps, she also met her husband Thomas, owner of Dave Towell Cadillac in Akron.
The two were married in October 2004, after she completed her placement in Washington D.C. and moved to Akron.
“I had already passed the Colorado bar exam, but I had to take the Ohio bar exam,” said Towell.
After passing the Ohio bar, she became an associate at Brouse McDowell, where she handled corporate litigation cases. From 2007 to 2011, she worked for LexisNexis, first as an e-discovery consultant and later as director of e-discovery affairs.
“By that time, I had two children,” said Towell. “My second child, Joey, was born with Down Syndrome and was facing a lot of health concerns so I decided to put my legal career on hold to care for him.
“I don’t regret my decision at all,” she said. “Joey is now 10 and he is doing amazingly well, so the time away from work really paid off.”
While caring for her son, Towell became an advocate for organizations that work with children who have physical and intellectual disabilities.
Today the Bath Township resident, who now has three children, continues to serve on the board of Victory Gallop, a nonprofit organization that provides personalized therapeutic and recreational horseback riding programs to children with behavioral and/or emotional challenges and life-threatening illnesses.
She is also the Akron coordinator for Buddy Up Tennis, a national program, which offers adaptive tennis and fitness programs to children and young adults with Down Syndrome. In 2016, Towell was given the Northeast Ohio Tennis Association Community Service Award for her work with Buddy Up Tennis.
She has previously served on the board of United Disability Services in Akron and is a past member of the Junior League of Akron, where she received the President’s Award in 2009.
She has also chaired a fundraiser for the Akron Art Museum and served on multiple committees at the museum. In addition, Towell was the grants manager for the Akron Children’s Museum from May 2018 to December 2019.
In 2013, the Greater Akron Chamber presented Towell with a 30 for the Future award.
A member of the Akron and Ohio State bar associations, Towell was initially hired as a visiting magistrate at the Akron Municipal Court in August 2019. She began hearing cases the following month and was promoted to small claims magistrate on Dec. 23, 2019.
“This was a very meaningful opportunity that allowed me to return to the legal field and have the opportunity to serve the community and utilize my law degree after taking time off to help my son through multiple surgeries and health challenges,” said Towell.
Akron Municipal Court Administrator Montrella Jackson said Towell does an “excellent job” handling a heavy caseload.
“Our eviction and small claims cases average almost 4,000 a year,” said Jackson. “Jennifer possesses astute analytical skills, is very dependable and is always professional.
“She has a pleasant disposition and can be counted on to complete the tasks given to her and issue timely decisions.”
Akron Municipal Court Community Outreach and Grants Coordinator Nicole Hagy said Towell is “a pleasure” to work with and is very passionate about her role in the court.
“Jennifer does an amazing job as magistrate,” said Hagy. “She is also very active in the community and continues to serve the public as she has done since first becoming a JAG.”
Towell said she plans to continue her legal career as a magistrate in Akron and is looking forward to training in various areas of the court so she can further expand her knowledge and expertise.
“I hope to find a way to help serve individuals with disabilities who have business with the court and make their experiences as stress-free as possible,” said Towell. “I also hope to find a way I can assist individuals in the community who have disabilities and need a program to help navigate the legal system.”