Login | April 18, 2024
Former Summit County chief of staff discusses new role at Roetzel
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: October 15, 2019
He spent the bulk of his legal career working in the Summit County Executive’s Office now Jason Dodson is utilizing his extensive public sector knowledge to assist clients at Roetzel & Andress.
Dodson joined the firm as of counsel at the beginning of September. He is a member of the Public Law and Finance Practice Group in the Akron and Cleveland offices, where he focuses on representing public and private-sector clients in the areas of economic development, finance, real estate, zoning and land use, government relations, public-private partnerships and public law.
He also serves as a director of the firm’s wholly-owned subsidiary Roetzel Consulting Solutions, a full service, bipartisan consulting group that creates innovative strategies for clients where the private and public sectors intersect.
“I am excited to begin this new chapter in my life where I will be able to use both my legal background and my experience in government to help clients achieve their goals,” said Dodson.
“Jason’s skill set and contacts complement and expand Roetzel’s reach throughout Ohio,” said Roetzel & Andress Shareholder and Public Law, Regulatory and Finance Practice Group Manager Lewis Adkins Jr. “I recruited Jason because of his unique talents, which I witnessed through my interactions with the Summit County Executive’s Office.
“He is whip-smart, a hard worker and has the ability to understand complex deals and create comprehensive solutions that will provide our clients the ability to reach their business goals,” said Adkins, president of Roetzel Consulting Solutions.
“I think he will use his ability to understand how development works to benefit the entire region.”
Born in Alliance, Ohio, Dodson grew up in Lewisville. He moved to Akron when he was 18 to attend The University of Akron, graduating in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Three years later, Dodson received his juris doctorate from The University of Akron School of Law.
“I wanted to be a lawyer ever since I was old enough to think about what I wanted to do in the future,” said Dodson. “I enjoy analyzing issues, coming up with potential solutions and ultimately implementing those solutions.
“A lot of people can identify problems when they arise, but not everyone can solve the issues and implement the solutions,” he said. “Throughout my time at the Summit County Executive’s Office, when we were confronted with complex and difficult issues, I always tried to focus on the potential solutions and how to implement the solution that was in the best interest of the county.”
In law school, Dodson clerked for Cassetty, Muse & Pry, where the late Summit County Executive Russ Pry served as managing partner. After passing the bar, Dodson joined the firm as an associate.
When Pry was appointed as Summit County Executive in 2007, he asked Dodson to serve as assistant law director.
In December 2008, Dodson became chief of staff.
“Russ was a great mentor to me and it was always educational, entertaining and fulfilling to work for him, whether that was at the law firm or at the county.”
After Pry’s death in 2016, Dodson served as chief of staff under County Executive Ilene Shapiro, stepping down at the end of August.
In a press release Shapiro stated, “Jason has been an integral part of keeping the county on a successful path for more than a decade and I wish him well as he undertakes this new endeavor in life. We also look forward to continuing to work with Jason on new opportunities in the future.”
Former county director of finance and budget Brian Nelsen is now chief of staff.
Dodson said he hopes to continue to engage with local and regional governments in his new roles at the firm.
“Having been involved in local government in some shape or form for so many years, a lot of the issues are fluent to me,” he said. “I also anticipate handling real estate matters and representing clients in commercial and transactional work.
“I am still getting my sea legs under me, but in the short term my focus at the firm will be to identify new clients and business opportunities, to assist the firm with its existing clients and to bring experience and insight into how the firm can assist both public sector clients and private sector clients engaged with the public sector.”
“Jason has a tremendous skill set and is a great fit for our firm,” said Robert Blackham, chief executive officer and chairman of Roetzel & Andress. “His knowledge of the workings of the public and private sectors and the opportunities that exist for collaboration between the two will be of significant benefit to our clients as well as the communities in which they operate.
“Jason brings a unique perspective and knowledge base to our firm that will be key to assisting our clients in developing previously untapped resources and meeting their strategic goals.”