Login | April 24, 2026
Summit County legal professionals celebrate Law Week
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: April 24, 2026
From the annual Law Day luncheon to a 5K fundraising race that promotes cohesiveness in the legal profession--those are just two of the events taking place this year as part of the Akron Bar Association’s Law Week celebrations.
“What I’ve always liked about Law Week is that it gives the legal community an opportunity to showcase itself and highlight the availability of legal resources,” said Akron Municipal Court Judge Jon Oldham, co-chair of the Akron Bar Association Law Week Committee.
“It also allows us to reach out to the public to make the justice system more transparent and accessible.”
The 2026 Law Day theme is “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.”
“This year’s Law Day theme emphasizes the importance of the rule of law to our Democracy and the legal profession’s commitment to upholding it,” said Law Week Committee Chair retired 9th District Court of Appeals Judge Thomas Teodosio.
While Law Day is May 1st, the Akron Bar Association began the celebration a bit earlier, holding its 5K Race Judicata on April 21.
The two-hour event got underway at 5 p.m. on the campus of The University of Akron School of Law, with both the law school and bar association coordinating the race.
There was also a one-mile walk and a post-race gathering at the law school to allow students to build relationships with lawyers and judges.
“We re-started this event last year,” said Judge Oldham. “The race is open to everyone, but the main target is people in the legal community. We are hoping to get more law students involved so they will gain a better understanding of the benefits of bar association membership.”
Proceeds from the race go to the Akron Bar Foundation, which provides scholarships and law-related grants.
On April 27, the bar association will officially launch its Law Week festivities with the annual Ray Horner Radio Show ‘Ask an Attorney’ program on 1590/93.5 WAKR.
The show starts at 6 a.m., but the ‘Ask an Attorney’ portion begins at 7:30 a.m.
Akron Bar Association Chief Executive Officer Cate Kurela and Akron Bar Association President Brian J. Moore will invite members of the public to call in with their legal questions. They will also discuss the bar association’s role in the community.
Former Akron Bar Association President Larry Scanlon and Malyuk McDaniel Kasper attorney Eric McDaniel will talk about the bar association’s Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS), which is available to residents in Summit, Medina, Portage and Wayne counties.
Those who utilize the service pay a $30 fee for up to a 30-minute consultation with an LRIS lawyer.
The fee is waived for cases involving disability, personal injury, bankruptcy or veteran benefits matters.
Individuals who call into the radio show during the ‘Ask an Attorney’ program can get assistance in the areas of criminal and Constitutional law from attorneys Don Malarcik (Ohio Defense Firm) and Mike Gabelman (Summit Legal Defenders) and Summit County Probate Court Chief Magistrate Steve Elliott will be available to offer guidance in the probate and elder law areas.
Other volunteer attorneys include John Collins (Collins & Hagenbush), who will field inquiries in the area of real estate.
In addition, Leslie Graske and Hugh McDaniel (McDaniel Law Corp.) will answer family law-related questions.
“The show is a great way for members of the Summit County community to gain access to very knowledgeable legal professionals and get assistance on how to proceed with their matters,” said Teodosio.
Another highlight of this year’s festivities is the annual Law Day luncheon and awards ceremony, which takes place on April 29 at Greystone Hall on S. High Street in Akron from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
During the luncheon, several nonprofit organizations and professionals will be presented with accolades.
Summit County Juvenile Court Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio is this year’s recipient of the Liberty Bell Award.
The accolade recognizes a person who has promoted a better understanding of the rule of law, encouraged a greater respect for the law and the courts, stimulated a sense of civic responsibility and contributed to good government in the community.
The 2026 Public Service Award will be presented to ACCESS Inc., which offers emergency shelter to women and children, and the International Institute of Akron will receive the Diversity Award.
The honor goes to a person or organization that demonstrates a consistent pattern of support to individuals from underrepresented populations; cultivates and promotes diversity initiatives that establish and foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment and exhibits visionary and insightful leadership to confront and resolve inequities through strategic decision-making, allocation of resources and establishment of priorities.
Mock Trial Committee co-chairs Akron Municipal Court Magistrate Thomas Bown, judicial attorney Jennifer Venables and attorney Keith Malick will receive committee chair of the year awards and attorney Dylan Price will be presented with the section chair of the year award for his work with the Akron Bar Association New Lawyers Section.
Additionally, the Goodyear legal staff will receive Community Legal Aid’s Volunteer of the Year Award and United Way will announce the winner of the Wendell L. Willkie Award.
The bar association will also recognize the newest 50-, 60- and 70-year members, attorneys Edward C. Pullekins and James Chapman and retired Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge Ted Schneiderman respectively.
For more information on the April 29 Law Day luncheon send an email to Deb Poland (dpoland@akronbar.org) or call 330-436-0103.
The celebrations end on Law Day, May 1, with the annual Red Mass Service at St. Bernard Catholic Church, which starts at noon.
The Catholic Diocese will present the Sir Thomas More Award to estate and probate attorney Larry Poulos.
A former Akron Bar Association president, Poulos served as Summit County Probate Court chief magistrate for many years. He is currently of counsel at Rischitelli & Poulos and Barry M. Ward Co.