Login | April 26, 2025
Magistrate Angela Hardway moves to Probate Court
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: March 28, 2025
Former Summit County Common Pleas Court Magistrate and Judicial Attorney Angela Hardway recently joined the Summit County Probate Court where she’s preparing to take over for longtime magistrate George Wertz, who is retiring at the end of June.
Hardway, who handled probate and estate work in private practice and is a former magistrate and judicial attorney at both Akron Municipal and the Common Pleas courts, said she’s excited to take on this new challenge.
“The probate court, specifically Judge Stormer has a stellar reputation in our legal community and created a court that is an excellent resource for Summit County,” said Hardway, who started on Feb. 3, 2025. “In addition, Chief Magistrate Steve Elliott, who is very knowledgeable and caring, is dedicated to providing a court that is accessible to the community.
“I’m honored to work with both of them to ensure the court remains an accessible and cohesive unit for the betterment of Summit County.”
“We are very pleased to have Angela join us as a magistrate,” said Summit County Probate Court Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer.
“She brings a variety of experience with her to help her transition to probate work,” said Judge Stormer, adding Hardway will benefit greatly from the “tutoring” being offered by George Wertz.
Judge Stormer said Wertz is providing her with “the best possible introduction into her new responsibilities.”
Wertz, who has been working closely with Hardway since she began, expressed confidence in her abilities.
“Magistrate Hardway is bright and a quick study,” said Wertz. “She has experience as a magistrate and in private practice. I think it’s important that a magistrate have experience in the private sector before joining the bench.
“She has a lot of common sense and knows how to resolve disputes.”
Born in Las Vegas, Hardway’s family moved to Akron when she was three.
Growing up, she said her parents told her she should be a lawyer because she was good at arguing.
“In junior high school, I was part of the Future Lawyers of America program, where I got the chance to argue my first case at 15,” said Hardway. “That’s when I was sure it was what I wanted to do.”
Hardway received her bachelor’s degree in English and juris doctor from The University of Akron.
She spent the bulk of career at Bevan & Associates in Hudson, Ohio.
“I worked at the firm throughout law school as a paralegal and law clerk,” Hardway said. “After I passed the bar exam Bevan & Associates then hired me as an associate.
“I initially assisted with the victims of crime compensation program and moved on to represent plaintiffs in workers’ compensation and asbestos litigation,” she said. “I also practiced in the areas of family law and probate. I would provide legal services to union members at a local union hall on behalf of the firm, where I prepared numerous wills and assisted with estates.”
In April 2019, she started as a courtwide magistrate and judicial attorney at Akron Municipal Court, where she heard matters ranging from small claims and evictions to arraignments and covered specialized dockets.
Additionally, Hardway managed the court’s mediation program.
“The mediation program at the Akron Municipal Court received statewide recognition by the Supreme Court of Ohio,” said Hardway.
She joined the general division of the common pleas court in November 2023, serving as a magistrate and judicial attorney to Judge Alison Breaux.
“I really enjoyed what I was doing for Judge Breaux, but when I heard about the opportunity available at probate court, I felt that position would provide more opportunities for future growth,” said Hardway.
“I am extremely lucky to have George Wertz as a mentor,” Hardway said. “He has so much probate knowledge the magistrates refer to him as ‘Georgopedia.’”
In an email Summit County Common Pleas Judge Breaux stated, “Magistrate Hardway has so much experience in varied areas of the legal field, and I am certain this move will allow her to apply her knowledge of probate law and passion for justice to benefit those who appear before her.
“I am thrilled for her to take this next step in her career.”
A member of the Akron and Ohio State bar associations, the Ohio Association of Magistrates and the Ohio Association for Justice, Hardway lives in West Akron with her husband and three children.
While she is not currently on any nonprofit boards, she said she is open to opportunities that would allow her to have a positive impact on the community.
At the moment, she said her main priority is getting up to speed on her new role at the court.
“Once I officially take over for Magistrate Wertz, I will be handling guardianship proceedings, competency issues, adoption proceedings and probate hearings,” Hardway said.
“This court plays such a pivotal role in the community and the care of mentally and physically incompetent individuals, as well as assisting individuals with their probate issues,” said Hardway. “Many times the people the probate court serves are in very difficult places in their lives and it is the court’s goal to assist wherever the law allows.”