Login | August 13, 2026
Akron Bar Association President John F. Martin discusses his agenda
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: August 14, 2026
As a new lawyer looking to grow his practice and meet others in the profession, Brennan, Manna & Diamond member John F. Martin said the Akron Bar Association provided vital resources and networking opportunities.
“As an attorney who handles business, corporate and real estate matters, I’m never in the courthouse so I don’t have a lot of opportunities to get to know lawyers outside of those I work with,” Martin said. “But my involvement in the bar association provided that connection.
“I’ve developed relationships that I would not have without being a member of the bar association,” Martin said. “The bar is also a great resource for CLEs, legal updates and practice guidance.”
Now Martin plans to highlight those benefits as the new president of the bar association.
This after being sworn in by retired Ohio 9th District Court of Appeals Judge Thomas Teodosio during the annual meeting on June 24, which took place at the Akron Zoo.
“Our annual meeting has gone from being a stuffy event to a fabulous family one, thanks to former Akron Bar Association President (retired) Judge Tom Teodosio,” said Martin, who began his term on July 1. “One of my goals as president is to continue to offer social events that members are excited to attend.
“But first and foremost, I plan to continue to demonstrate the benefits of bar membership by ensuring the bar association continues to provide great service and resources to all our members,” Martin said.
Immediate past president Brian J. Moore said Martin is “a welcome addition” to the long line of Akron Bar Association presidents.
“John is a great guy,” said Moore, a shareholder at Roetzel & Andress, who focuses on real estate and banking. “He is smart, pleasant and gets along well with everyone.”
“We both practice in similar disciplines so I’ve known him a long time,” said Moore.
“Coincidentally he also happens to live in the same neighborhood as I do. Our wives frequently walk together for exercise.
“As existing bar president, I along with others, had some say in who would be selected as the next president, and we were excited to have John accept the position.
“He is collegial and team oriented and I have every confidence that he’ll be among the finest presidents we’ve ever had.”
Akron Bar Association President-elect Alisa N. Benedict O’Brien expressed similar sentiments.
“I am personally very excited to work with John and very happy and grateful that the Akron Bar and the Akron legal community will benefit from his thoughtful leadership,” said Benedict O’Brien, assistant dean for career services, strategic initiatives and external affairs at The University of Akron School of Law.
“I got to work with John many years ago as we both served on the board of directors for the Akron Bar, and he is very smart, thoughtful, has great ideas and is an excellent listener. I think he is the perfect leader to move the Akron Bar Association forward and to focus on membership initiatives and growth.”
A native of Akron, Martin majored in political science at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
After earning his Juris Doctor from the institution now known as The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 1984, Martin served as a law clerk to the late retired Ohio 9th District Court of Court of Appeals Judge Edward Mahoney.
He then joined Amer Cunningham Brennan Co. as an associate.
“Some of the business and real estate people left to start Brennan, Manna & Diamond,” Martin said. “I stayed on for a little while, and then I joined them in January 2001.
“I really enjoy what I do,” Martin said. “I have the ability to make an impact and see the direct results of my work, whether it is a new building or a product that helps a business grow.
“My favorite thing to do is to tour a client’s plant and see how things work.”
A member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Akron Bar Association since 1984, Martin has served on the Akron Bar Association’s Board of Directors and as a member of its Finance Committee, Grievance Committee and Business & Corporate Law Section.
He’s also a former board member, treasurer and president of the Akron Bar Foundation.
Martin currently serves on the Ohio Higher Educational Facility Commission and is an alternate on the Copley Township Zoning Commission.
He’s also a current board member and secretary of the Cascade Capital Corporation.
“When my children were younger, I was involved in scouting,” Martin said. “I was the committee chair of Troop ONE in Akron.”
As president of the Akron Bar Association, Martin said he plans to work closely with president-elect Benedict O’Brien in solidifying and building upon the relationship with UA’s School of Law.
“A lot of our new members come from the law school, so I want to make sure they see the value in joining,” said Martin. “I will be reaching out to other law schools in northeast Ohio as well.
“The bar association offers great mentorship opportunities for younger attorneys,” Martin said.
Martin said there are a few challenges that must be addressed to ensure the organization remains solvent, explaining that even those issues provide opportunities.
“Luckily our membership has been holding steady, but I would love to see it increase,” said Martin. “We have a lot of events for our members, and we continue to provide CLE in person and online.
“Our Lawyer Referral and Information Service is a great resource for the public and our attorneys, and I will continue to raise awareness about this service,” Martin said.
He also plans to encourage eligible members to consider applying to the Perantinides & Nolan Leadership Academy.
“It’s a fabulous opportunity for attorneys to learn the inner workings of the bar association and develop the skills they need to be the next leaders of the bar association,” Martin said.
“I benefited greatly from my bar membership and serving as president is my way to give back by keeping the organization moving forward for the next generation.”