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Roderick Linton Belfance beefs up its attorney power
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: July 7, 2023
It’s one of Akron’s oldest law firms and recently Roderick Linton Belfance (RLB) underwent a growth spurt, with the addition of five lawyers.
Attorneys Susan (Susie) K. Steinhauer, Thomas Coffee, Kimberly Stout-Sherrer, Dan Krupko and Danny Guan all started at RLB in 2023.
Roderick Linton Belfance Managing Partner Bill Chris said each one of the new hires brings a unique background and skill set to the firm that will enhance client services.
“We were fortunate to find such a talented group of people,” said Chris. “Susie Steinhauer has a great deal of experience in domestic relations and civil and business matters and Kimberly Stout-Sherrer has expertise in criminal law.
“The University of Akron has also provided us with a number of law clerks, who have gone on to join our firm,” said Chris. “Danny Guan started here right away and others like Tom Coffee came here years later with a great deal of experience.
“We are able to allow young lawyers like Dan Krupko the ability to gain expertise in their desired practice area,” said Chris. “Our firm offers a good work-life balance and it’s not uncommon for both attorneys and staff members to stay here for many years. It is an exciting time to be here.”
A former Summit County Domestic Relations Court judge, Steinhauer started on May 1.
“I like the camaraderie among attorneys and the autonomy we have over our cases and work schedules,” said Steinhauer, a partner, who primarily focuses on domestic relations and business matters. “As a mother, it’s important to me to be able to maintain flexible hours.”
A native of Akron, Steinhauer obtained her bachelor’s degree in business from Miami University in Ohio where she majored in marketing and minored in management information systems.
After earning her juris doctorate from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 1998, she began her legal career as an assistant Summit County prosecutor, primarily handling child support, dependency, neglect and abuse cases.
In August 2001 Steinhauer moved to the Summit County Common Pleas Court where she was initially a floating judicial attorney and later a floating judicial attorney and an as-needed magistrate.
She then served as chief legal officer for White Hat Management, a former Ohio charter school operator and early advocate for school choice in the state.
Prior to being appointed to the Summit County Domestic Relations Court by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in 2021, she worked with her father, attorney John S. Steinhauer.
She served as a domestic relations court judge from April 26, 2021 until Jan. 5, 2023.
A member of the Akron Bar Association, Steinhauer is active in the BK Ohio Chapter of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), a nonprofit that seeks to empower women through educational and other efforts.
She’s also a former president and the current vice president of the Highland Chase Landowners Association board, a position she’s held for two years in a row.
“I’m looking forward to helping members of the community with their legal issues,” said Steinhauer.
Coffee joined RLB as of counsel on March 7, after working for Nationwide Mutual Insurance for 37 years.
Born and raised in Canton, Ohio, he received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Kent State University.
While attending The University of Akron School of Law’s night program, he was a law clerk at RLB’s predecessor firm Roderick, Myers & Linton.
He started working for Nationwide as a claims representative during his second year in law school. The company hired him as a claims attorney after he earned his juris doctorate in 1987.
“I was promoted after two years to Nationwide’s Trial Division where I began representing Nationwide members in civil litigation,” said Coffee. “I tried over 75 civil jury cases during the time I was with Nationwide.”
Coffee is a member of the Akron and Stark County bar associations. He’s also certified to teach trial advocacy skills by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), having completed NITA’s intensive professional training program at Harvard Law School.
After retiring from Nationwide in 2022, he met with Bill Chris who asked him to “come home.”
“I’ve known Bill Chris since high school and it’s been great to work with him again,” said Coffee, who focuses on civil litigation. “I absolutely love it here. We have a wonderful group of people and I really enjoy mentoring the younger lawyers here.
“It’s a collaborative and supportive environment and I feel blessed to be here, where I can make a positive difference in people’s lives.”
A seasoned criminal law attorney, Stout-Sherrer started as an associate at RLB at the beginning of January.
Born in Akron, Stout-Sherrer grew up in Canal Fulton and received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and paralegal studies from Kent State University.
After obtaining her juris doctorate from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2006, she returned to Ohio and began her career as an assistant public defender in the Stark County Public Defender’s Office.
Stout-Sherrer later served as an assistant public defender in the Medina County Public Defender’s Office. She obtained her death penalty certification in 2019.
Prior to joining RLB, she had her own firm in Akron where she focused on criminal defense and civil litigation.
“I’m excited to be part of Roderick Linton Belfance,” said Stout-Sherrer. “I enjoy the camaraderie and work environment that creates an excellent work-life balance.”
A member of the Akron, Wayne County, Medina County and Ohio State bar associations, Stout-Sherrer has served on many committees over the years. She’s also a member of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and an active supporter of the Autism Society of Greater Akron.
“As one of only two attorneys in Medina County to become certified in death penalty cases and the only lawyer at the firm to hold the certification, I’m hoping to use my trial experience and knowledge to expand the firm’s litigation team and to change the public misconception of the criminal justice system,” said Stout-Sherrer. “My hope is to become a partner at the firm in the future.”
Krupko became an associate at RLB in April after leaving Roetzel & Andress where he worked on medical malpractice defense cases.
Raised in Homeworth, Ohio, he originally wanted to be a sports agent.
“I majored in sport administration as an undergraduate but I realized I needed a field that provided more security,” said Krupko.
After graduating from Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania, he was an account executive for Worldwide Express.
He earned his juris doctorate from Akron Law in 2022 working in the Akron and Cleveland offices of Roetzel & Andress for about 10 months before accepting the position at RLB.
“I knew an associate at RLB and he suggested I consider coming here,” said Krupko. “I have an interest in bankruptcy law and Steve Heimberger, one of the bankruptcy partners, interviewed me along with Bill Chris and I was offered the job.”
A member of the Akron, Stark County and Ohio State bar associations, he currently handles a variety of matters including bankruptcy, business litigation, domestic relations and criminal cases.
“I think bankruptcy will always be a healthy part of my practice,” said Krupko.
“I really enjoy helping people who have fallen on hard times. Whether or not it is because of their decisions, I think everyone makes mistakes and deserves a second chance so it’s nice to be able to help people get back to square one.
“My ultimate goal at the firm is partnership and I would also like to take on a leadership role,” Krupko said. “In the meantime, I want to learn as much as is humanly possible. Sports law is still an interest and hobby of mine and I would certainly be open to handling any matters pertaining to it.”
Attorney Danny Guan began as a law clerk at RLB in August after earning his juris doctorate from Akron Law. He became an associate in May and is a member of the Akron Bar Association.
“I really enjoyed my time as a law clerk here so when Bill Chris made me an offer I jumped on it,” said Guan. “I really like the people here. Right now I am doing a little bit of everything and I’m hoping to get more trial experience.”
Guan grew up in Cleveland and received his bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Case Western Reserve University.
It was while working as a financial representative for Guardian Life Insurance in Beachwood, Ohio that he started to think about becoming an attorney.
At the time, he was selling life insurance and doing retirement planning and his attorney friends, who he tried to recruit as clients, convinced him to go to law school.
“As a Chinese American whose family owns a restaurant in the community, I understand the struggles of small business owners, especially minority owners, and one of my goals as an attorney is to help them overcome their legal struggles,” said Guan.