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Akron Bar Association unveils 2022 Law Week activities
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: April 22, 2022
It’s an annual tradition in many communities across the United States, but the pandemic canceled or changed the way in which many in-person Law Day and Law Week events were held over the last two years, including the traditional lineup featured by the Akron Bar Association.
But this year Akron Bar leaders are planning a host of in-person activities to commemorate Law Week, ranging from the annual Law Day Luncheon to a brand new combination event held in conjunction with The University of Akron School of Law.
“Law Week is an opportunity to celebrate the legal profession and reflect on the importance of the rule of law in our society,” said Akron Bar Association Law Week Committee Chair Christopher Teodosio, a partner at Brouse McDowell. “During this week, we also get to recognize several exemplary attorneys that are making a difference in the Summit County community.”
Since Law Day falls on Sunday, May 1 organizers are kicking off the celebration on Monday, May 2 at 7:30 a.m. with WAKR’s (1590/93.5) Ray Horner “Ask an Attorney” Radio Show.
Unlike some of the other events, the show did continue throughout the pandemic, with attorneys calling in remotely from various locations to discuss topics and answer questions from callers.
WAKR Morning host Ray Horner will begin this year’s event by introducing Akron Law Professor Emeritus J. Dean Carro, who will briefly address the 2022 American Bar Association Law Day theme, “Toward a More Perfect Union: The Constitution in Times of Change.”
“I will be discussing the history of the Constitution and the multiple amendments that have been made to the document over the years to correct the missteps of our forefathers,” said Carro. “For example, in the early stages of the Constitution slavery was allowed and only white men could vote. Those missteps have since been corrected via different Constitutional Amendments.”
In addition to Carro, guest attorneys will answer questions from the public on popular legal topics.
Solo practitioner Linda Ulinski will address issues related to trust and estate planning, including wills and powers of attorney and trust and probate administration.
“I’ve been a guest on the show for over 10 years,” said Ulinski. “I enjoy the collegiality of the event and the opportunity it provides to serve the public.”
While the show is not designed to give legal advice, the attorneys do provide general answers to common questions. They also refer members of the public to resources they can use to secure low- or no-cost assistance.
Ulinski said two of the most common questions she receives are “If a loved one passes away and the house is the only asset, do I have to go through probate? and if I only have one heir, do I need a will?”
Gertz & Rosen attorney Gary Rosen is also a longtime guest on the show. He will be fielding inquiries related to family law.
“It’s a fun project and a great way to give back in a very small way,” said Rosen. “It’s also a terrific opportunity to show the community who we are as a profession and raise awareness about the Akron Bar Association.
“We provide general advice about how to handle various problems and tell people to call the bar association if they need referrals,” said Rosen. “The most common questions I receive are related to child support, including how it’s calculated and collected and the steps that can be taken if the other individual falls significantly behind.”
Brouse McDowell partner Irv Sugerman is participating in the event for the first time.
“Dean Carro asked me to be a guest and I was glad to do it,” said Sugerman, who focuses on real estate, zoning and land use planning.
“I’ve always been proud of my colleagues at the bar association for giving back and this is one way that my fellow panelists and I can follow suit,” said Sugerman. “I expect to receive questions on buying and selling real estate, zoning, land use planning and landlord-tenant matters.”
Law Week will continue on May 4, with the annual Law Day Luncheon, which kicks off at 11:30 a.m. at Greystone Hall in Akron.
During the event, a number of local attorneys will be recognized, including Liberty Bell Award recipient U.S. District Court Judge Sara Lioi, who serves in the Northern District of Ohio. The award is presented to a person or persons (usually a lawyer or judge), who have promoted a better understanding of the rule of law, encouraged greater respect for law and the courts, stimulated a sense of civic responsibility and contributed to good government in the community.
Other awardees include Brian J. Moore, shareholder-in-charge of the Roetzel & Andress Akron office (Public Service Award), Bradley S. Dunn Sr., administrative law judge of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (Diversity Award) and the law firm Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs (United Way’s Wendell Willkie Award).
Instead of honoring just one volunteer, this year Community Legal Aid will be recognizing a handful of Summit County attorneys that represented victims of domestic violence in their divorces from their abusers as part of the nonprofit law firm’s Civil Justice Project.
The attorneys include Timothy Assaf, Beth Blackmore, Joy Chicatelli, Ronald Evans, Todd Evans, Denise Ferguson, Billi Copeland King, Brendon Kohrs, Gayle Montalto, Barbara Rogachefsky, Bradley Shipp, Marquita Thatcher, Anita Lambert and L. Mialon Morris.
The luncheon costs $25 per person. For more information or to register, visit https://www.akronbar.org/.
On Thursday May 5, the bar association will co-host a brand new graduation-related event with administrators at Akron Law.
Created by Akron Law Dean Emily Janoski-Haehlen, the Roo Law Walk is designed to welcome recent and upcoming law graduates to the legal profession.
The walk will kick off at the law school at 4:30 p.m., with the unveiling of composites of the December 2021 and May 2022 graduating classes in the McDowell Common.
Students will be given Akron Law golf umbrellas and begin walking toward the Akron Bar Association, which will host a reception.
Janoski-Haehlen has invited the Summit County judiciary to participate in the walk.
“The walk is less than a mile and my hope is that as the students pass the courthouse, judges will step out and greet them,” said Janoski-Haehlen. “The idea is similar to the Cane Walk, which was held by my previous employer Valparaiso University Law School.
“The event will mark the symbolic transition from law student to attorney,” she said. “When they get to the bar association, Akron Law Professor and former Dean Martin Belsky, who is retiring will say a few words of welcome to the group.
“I think it’s especially important for this group of students who attended law school during the height of the pandemic,” Janoski-Haehlen said. “My hope is that it will become a part of the Law Week tradition.”
Law Day festivities will conclude on Friday, May 6, with the annual Red Mass and luncheon at St. Bernard Catholic Church at 44 University Ave. in Akron.
Brouse McDowell Of Counsel Jerry F. Whitmer will receive the St. Thomas More Award, followed by the luncheon, which will be held in the basement of the church.
The event costs $10. To register, go to https://www.akronbar.org/.