Login | August 28, 2026
Summit County Juvenile Court Magistrate named a 30 for the Future honoree
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: August 28, 2026
From the time she was in middle school, Sharon, Pennsylvania native Kate Calla had an interest in juvenile and family law.
“Both of my parents were educators, so I grew up watching two of my biggest role models dedicate their careers to educating and supporting young people, and I think that’s when I first became interested in this area of the law,” said Calla.
“During my high school and college summers, I worked for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers’ Children’s Opportunities for Outside Learning program (C.O.O.L.), which focuses on youth development for students in high-poverty areas.
“Working one-on-one in this role opened my eyes to the importance of understanding today’s youth and the benefit of mentorship in a child’s development.”
As an undergraduate at The Pennsylvania State University, Calla majored in psychology and criminology and completed a minor in child maltreatment and advocacy studies.
“I learned a great deal about juvenile law and the role of the guardian ad litem through my minor,” said Calla. “I wasn’t exactly sure then how my interests would translate into a career.
“However, after spending a semester as an intern working with juvenile probation at the Centre County, Pennsylvania Youth Service Bureau, I knew that a career in juvenile law was my passion.”
All the pieces have fallen into place.
After earning her Juris Doctor from The University of Akron School of Law in 2021, she was offered an associate position at McGown & Markling, a small education law firm where she had been a law clerk.
Fast-forward to today and she’s now a magistrate and lead judicial attorney in the Summit County Juvenile Court, where she presides over child welfare and delinquency cases as well as handling a variety of research and writing duties and supervising the court’s legal interns, among other responsibilities.
“I enjoy both of my roles at the court because they each provide me with a different point of view on the issues while also allowing me to interact with the children and families in the courtroom,” said Calla.
She recently received word that she is among this year’s Greater Akron Chamber 30 for the Future Award recipients.
Established in 2007, the accolade recognizes professionals ages 25-39 whose leadership and accomplishments have positively impacted the region.
“I was really surprised and honored to be chosen,” said Calla, who started as a judicial attorney at the court in January 2022, and was promoted to lead judicial attorney and magistrate in April and November of 2025 respectively.
She began running a full-time child welfare docket in August 2026.
“There are so many wonderful people who have won this award in the past, and it is humbling to be in their company along with the outstanding individuals who I will be joining in this year’s class.”
Summit County Juvenile Court Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio described Calla as “a talented lawyer,” who has done “a wonderful job” since being appointed as a magistrate.
“She has earned the respect of both her coworkers and the lawyers who practice in the juvenile court,” said Judge Teodosio. “She has a passion for the law and cares deeply about the children and families that we serve.
“She has accomplished much during her legal career and will certainly be among the leaders in the future of our community.”
A member of the Akron Bar Association, Calla currently serves on the board of directors.
Calla is also a former chair of the association’s New Lawyers Section and received the Section Chair of the Year Award for her service during 2023-24.
In addition, she currently serves on the board of the nonprofit Victim Assistance Program and volunteers with One of a Kind Pet Rescue, The Ben Curtis Family Foundation and Haven of Rest Ministries.
“I feel like I’ve found a great sense of community in greater Akron after moving here from Pennsylvania,” said Calla. “The people and connections I’ve made here have helped me grow both professionally and personally.
“It’s very important to me that I give back to the community where I live and work.”
As a magistrate at the court, Calla said she strives to bring professionalism and impartiality to all the cases she hears, bearing in mind that the people before her are often experiencing some of the most challenging times of their lives.
“It is vitally important to me to allow them the opportunity to be heard while remaining impartial and applying the law correctly,” said Calla. “I take great pride in the work we do at the juvenile court each day, as well as the opportunities it has provided me to make a real difference in our community.”