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Meet the Akron Bar Association’s new president
Barberton Law Director Lisa Okolish Miller is the new Akron Bar Association president. She was sworn in on June 24 during the organization’s annual membership meeting, which took place at the historic O.C. Barber Piggery in Barberton, Ohio. She is pictured here on the right with Akron Bar Association President-elect Maura Scanlon. (Photo courtesy of the Akron Bar Association).
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: August 6, 2021
She’s served on several Akron Bar Association committees and on the board of trustees, now Barberton Law Director Lisa Okolish Miller is leading the organization as its new president.
Miller took the reins from immediate past President Hamilton DeSaussure Jr. on July 1 after being sworn in on June 24 during the organization’s annual membership meeting, which took place at the historic O.C. Barber Piggery in Barberton, Ohio.
“I am very excited,” said Miller. “I think Hal has done an excellent job leading the organization through the pandemic. We are so fortunate to have his steadfast leadership.
“I hope to be able to continue to grow the organization and find new ways to serve its members,” said Miller. “I also want to be able to continue to engage members of the bench so they can help us to improve the organization.”
While the meeting is always one of the bar association’s more well-attended events, this year’s gathering was particularly packed since it was the first in-person get-together in more than a year, drawing crowds of over 170 people.
“I think the meeting is a sign that people are ready to get back out there,” said Miller. “This particular location offered both indoor and outdoor space. The dinner portion was more casual than usual, with food trucks providing the meal.”
DeSaussure said he’s enjoyed working with Miller over the past year and looks forward to their continued collaboration.
“I’ve known Lisa since we served together on the Akron Bar’s Commission on Judicial Candidates,” said DeSaussure, a partner at Brennan Manna Diamond.
“Lisa is a direct, plainspoken, no-nonsense person, who speaks her mind in a very positive way. She is organized and thoughtful and I think she understands all the issues the bar association has been involved with and is well equipped to lead us as president.”
President-elect Maura Scanlon said she’s looking forward to her new role.
“I am excited for the opportunity to work with Hal DeSaussure and Lisa Okolish Miller this year,” said Scanlon, who served on the Akron Bar Association Board of Trustees from 1999 to 2002.
“I will be working closely with Hal DeSaussure and Lisa Okolish Miller to develop a deeper understanding of the various issues being addressed by the Akron Bar Association as it works to serve its members and the local legal community,” said Scanlon, a member of The Scanlon Group, a plaintiff personal injury law firm.
“I believe Hal’s leadership of the Akron Bar throughout the COVID-19 pandemic will be of great assistance as the Akron Bar Association continues to serve the ever-changing needs of the bar association members and the legal community, particularly as it relates to the use of remote or electronic practices and those matters which will return to in person.”
A native of Barberton, Miller received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and sociology from Ashland University and her juris doctorate from The University of Akron School of Law.
Miller began her career as a law clerk at the Summit County Common Pleas Court. She then accepted a position as an in-house attorney at the Westfield Group in Westfield Center, Ohio.
Prior to being elected law director in 2008, she served as director of human resources and labor relations for the city of Barberton and as director of the Human Resource Commission in Summit County.
“I’ve been very fortunate because I’ve loved every job I have ever had,” said Miller. “My current position affords me the opportunity to use what I’ve learned over the years. While it may seem like being law director would involve the same tasks day in and day out, that’s not true.
“Almost every day is different,” she said. “I get to handle both civil and criminal matters so there is always a new challenge.”
A longtime member of the Akron and Ohio State Bar associations, Miller has served on the grievance committee, as co-chair of the Commission on Judicial Candidates and as chair of the bar applicants and students committee.
She is currently a member of the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) Coalition to Advance Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in Ohio’s Legal System Subcommittee on Police Reform. Miller is also involved with the OSBA’s Civics Education Initiative.
“There are a lot of challenges ahead, but one thing we did learn during the pandemic is that offering members the chance to participate virtually allowed some people to be more engaged,” said Miller. “My understanding is that going forward the bar association is going to keep the virtual option open.”