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New Akron Bar president shares vision for the organization
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: August 26, 2022
When Maura Scanlon officially began her tenure as Akron Bar Association president on July 1, she knew she had big shoes to fill.
As the daughter and niece of three former accomplished Akron Bar Association presidents, Scanlon said she’s hoping to carve out her own legacy in the organization’s history.
“My dad, Tim Scanlon was president from 1980 to 1981 and my uncle, Larry Scanlon was president from 2015 to 2016, while my uncle, John Ulman was president from 1970 to 1971.
“I have wonderful examples of leadership to draw on during my tenure as president,” said Scanlon. “I am looking forward to this year and welcome the opportunity to assist the Akron Bar as it continues to move forward as both a local and regional leader of bar organizations,” said Scanlon, who was sworn in by Akron Municipal Court Judge Annalisa Stubbs Williams on June 21 during the Akron Bar Association’s annual meeting at Crown Point Ecology Center.
“One of my goals is for the Akron Bar to continue to work on behalf of our members locally and for the benefit of the greater Summit County legal community. To the extent that the Akron Bar has opportunities to partner with other organizations to assist members of our local community, we welcome that as well,” Scanlon said. “I was fortunate enough to be involved this past year with the development of a new strategic plan for the bar, which will guide our work not only this year but for the next few years.”
In her remarks at the annual meeting, Scanlon noted that she’s not the first female bar association president whose father previously served in the role. Former Akron Bar Association President Margaret (Meg) Andreeff Matejkovic paved the way from 2016 to 2017, after her father Nickolas P. Andreeff held the title from 1986 to 1987.
“It was a privilege and wonderful experience to work with Meg on various Akron Bar committees over many years, including her year as president and I was thrilled when Meg graciously agreed to place my name in nomination for the role of president-elect at the 2021 Akron Bar Association annual meeting,” Scanlon said.
Unlike Matejkovic, Scanlon will be working closely with two female bar leaders, president-elect Susan Durr and immediate past president Lisa Okolish Miller, both of whom have known her for a while.
“We initially met through bar association events,” said Durr, a sole practitioner in Cuyahoga Falls. “I think Maura is a natural fit for this role. She is very thoughtful in the way she approaches issues and she’s always willing to listen to everyone’s ideas.
“She is even-tempered and knows a lot of people at the local and state bar associations, which will help her to get things done,” Durr said. “COVID changed a lot of things and one of the issues we’ll be looking at is how to bring people back to the bar association in the way they feel most comfortable, whether that be through in-person events or remotely.”
Miller, who serves as law director for the city of Barberton has been working closely with Scanlon over the past year during her time as president-elect.
“Maura is an amazing attorney, who is extremely detail oriented,” said Miller. “I think she will do an incredible job. Her family is very committed to the community philanthropically and I think that will provide a tremendous advantage to the bar association.
“We recently formalized and accepted a new strategic plan and I’m confident Maura will be able to carry out the goals and overcome any challenges that come her way.”
A native of Akron, Scanlon received her bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.
After obtaining her juris doctorate from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1988, she started her legal career as an associate at Scanlon & Gearinger Co. (now known as The Scanlon Group Co.), where she represents plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
“By the time I was in high school, I was pretty certain I wanted to attend law school,” she said. “It was partially a family connection; my grandfather, father and three uncles on the Scanlon side were all attorneys.
“I also find my work satisfying when I am able to assist people with navigating the legal process, which can be very challenging, especially as the legal system has adapted to many changes mandated by COVID,” she said.
A member of the Akron Bar Association since 1988, Scanlon is a former chair of the investigative subcommittee of the grievance committee and the lawyer referral and information service committee.
Scanlon also served on the board of trustees from 1999 to 2002 and is a former member of the Akron Bar Association Finance Committee, the 2015 Operations Task Force and the Commission on Judicial Candidates.
She is also a fellow of the Akron Bar Foundation and said she looks forward to working with its board of governors this year.
In addition, Scanlon is one of the District 11 representatives for the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) Council of Delegates. She is a former chair of the OSBA Grievance Committee and a fellow of the Ohio State Bar Foundation.
She is also a member of the Ohio Women’s Bar Association and serves as a bencher with the Charles F. Scanlon and Judge Samuel H. Bell American Inn of Court chapter in Akron.
Scanlon, who lives in Akron with her husband Jim and has two adult children said she believes it’s important to be involved with and give back to the community.
She is the current president of the board of directors at Project GRAD Akron and was a ten-year member of the board of directors at the former North Akron Savings Bank (Peoples Bank), where she served as the chair of the audit committee for six years.
She’s also a past board member of the former Ohio Ballet and a previous member of the Junior League of Akron as well as a current member of St. Hilary Parish.
As a volunteer at St. Hilary Parish, Scanlon has held the positions of vice chair of the school board and chair of the finance council for the parish.
She’s also a former volunteer at the school and a previous CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) coach at St. Hilary School for girls soccer, softball and volleyball.
As president of the Akron Bar Association, Scanlon plans to continue the prior focus on increasing membership by utilizing the new strategic plan to adapt the organization’s services to meet member needs.
“There are always new issues impacting the legal community, which require a response from the bar association,” said Scanlon. “Whether it’s through the expanded use of technology or the addition of CLE designed to address the way lawyers do business in a post-pandemic setting, we need to take an innovative approach that addresses the goals of all of our members.”