Login | September 17, 2024
Barberton/Akron attorney David Friedman remembered
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: September 30, 2021
A knowledgeable lawyer with a generous soul, who enjoyed resolving his clients’ problems, gave back to the community and made his loved ones a priority—that’s how family and colleagues describe longtime attorney and Akron resident David Friedman.
“My father liked everybody and was liked by everyone,” said his daughter Jill Friedman Helfman. “For him, being a lawyer was a higher calling since he used his role to help people get to a better place in their lives.
“He was an honest professional and was respected by peers, colleagues and judges. I aspired to be just like him,” said Helfman, who serves as co-partner-in-charge of the Cleveland office of Taft Stettinius & Hollister and as chair of the firm’s domestic relations practice.
Summit County solo practitioner Donald Hicks described Friedman as a “very hardworking attorney,” with a “deep sense of humanity,” who cared a great deal about his family.
“Dave was a nice fellow, who was very knowledgeable about bankruptcy and matters of finance,” said Hicks. “We had a number of collection-type cases together. I often represented debtors and he was sometimes responsible for doing collections. He would always work with me to come to a fair settlement.”
On July 4, Friedman passed away at the age of 87.
“My dad was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather,” said his daughter. “He had a unique nickname for each of his children and grandchildren. He was proud to attend their events and took great pride in their accomplishments.”
“Dave had a great kindness about him and was devoted to his clients,” said Hicks. “His humility was exceptional as well. He was generous with his knowledge, but he preferred to stay out of the spotlight.”
Born in Cleveland on Dec. 15, 1933, he was the eldest of Phil and Ruth Friedman’s two children.
Friedman grew up in Medina and received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from The Ohio State University.
He married his wife Judy on Aug. 25, 1957, the same year he graduated from the school now known as Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
“They had a caring relationship built on mutual support and a love for one another,” said Helfman.
The couple had four children; Helfman is the only one who became an attorney.
“My father was my role model for me in choosing my profession,” said Helfman.
Friedman spent the first 30 years of his legal career in Barberton, practicing with attorney Bob Moss at the law firm Moss & Friedman.
Friedman then moved to Akron, where he shared office space with other attorneys, including retired solo practitioner Terry Zimmerman.
“Dave handled a lot of collections and social security disability work,” said Zimmerman. “I also did collections and Dave proved to be an excellent resource whenever I had questions.
“We shared office space at two different locations in Akron,” said Zimmerman. “He liked helping people and did a fair amount of pro bono work.
“We were also social friends. He loved golfing and we enjoyed playing at Rosemont Country Club,” said Zimmerman. “He was an all-around good guy.”
Retired Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Ted Schneiderman said Friedman was a “good-natured attorney,” who did his job and never complained.
“I knew his wife a lot longer than I knew him because we went to the same grade school,” said Schneiderman. “They were part of my circle of friends.
“When he appeared before me, he was well prepared,” said Schneiderman. “He was the kind of attorney who never gave judges any problems. He was a good person and a good family man.”
During his more than 60-year career, Friedman gave back to the community and the legal profession.
He was secretary of the Akron Bar Association and president of the Akron Jewish Center, B’nai B’rith, the Barberton Chamber of Commerce and Barberton United Way.
Friedman’s more recent volunteer activities included serving as a guardian through Jewish Family Service and delivering for Meals on Wheels.
Retired solo practitioner Beverly Rose said Friedman was part of a group of retired lawyers that met weekly for lunch.
“I knew Dave for many, many years through the Akron Bar Association and as a member of the Jewish community,” said Rose. “For the last several years, he’s been part of our lunch group.
“He was a gentle soul,” Rose said. “He was kind and always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. He never talked about himself. He cared about people and was concerned for others.”
Friedman’s daughter said while her father spent time playing golf, tennis and bridge and enjoyed watching sports, above all else he cherished spending time with his family.
“He passed on his integrity, work ethic and commitment to community to his children and grandchildren and that will be his continued legacy.”
A graveside service was held for Friedman on July 7 at Rose Hill Burial Park in Akron.
Friedman is survived by his wife Judy, daughters Amy Friedman and Jill (Brad) Helfman, his son Bruce (Stacy) Friedman, grandchildren Jared, Lindsey and Justin Helfman and Ryan, Aaron and Andrew Friedman as well as other members of his large extended family.
His parents, son Ricky Friedman and his sister Gail Schlossberg preceded him in death.