Login | April 25, 2025
Akron Bar Association Law Week festivities underway
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: April 25, 2025
In just days, legal professionals across the country will mark Law Day on May 1, celebrating the rule of law and holding festivities designed to educate the public on the inner workings of the U.S. justice system.
For those at the Akron Bar Association, this year has taken on added meaning as the institution marks its 150th anniversary.
“The Akron Bar Association is excited to host its annual Law Week celebrations especially during our 150th anniversary year,” said Chief Executive Officer C. Allen Nichols. “The theme, ‘The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One’ is vital to remember particularly as we see the sharp divisions in our country.
“We are one country and locally we are one legal community,” said Nichols. “Coming together for our celebration of all that is good in the legal community is a highlight of our year.”
“Our country is grounded in the principle that no individual is above the law,” said Akron Municipal Court Judge Jon Oldham, co-chair of the bar association’s Law Week Committee. “This year’s Law Day theme, ‘Out of Many, One,’ urges us to embrace our differences and come together as one united nation.”
This year, the events got underway on April 22 with the 5K Run/Walk Race Judicata, which kicked off at 5 p.m. at The University of Akron School of Law campus.
Proceeds from the event benefited the Akron Bar Foundation, which provides scholarships and law-related grants.
“This race used to be an exciting part of our Law Week activities in the past and we decided to bring it back,” said Judge Oldham. “It’s a great way to bring members of the legal community and our local running community together and it was held in the evening so more people could attend and socialize.”
On Monday, April 28 the Ray Horner Radio Show will feature the annual Ask an Attorney program on 1590 AM/93.5 FM WAKR, with attorneys fielding questions on a variety of legal matters ranging from estate planning and domestic relations to personal injury and others.
Nichols will kick off the event, which starts at 7 a.m. with a discussion of Law Week.
Noah Munyer, a partner at the Ohio Defense Firm, is the coordinator and will also answer inquiries on criminal defense topics.
“I think the program provides a good opportunity for members of the community to reach out and receive legal direction on a myriad of issues,” said Munyer. “It is an important service that legal professionals provide during Law Week, reminding the public of the important role lawyers play in protecting all of our rights.”
On Wednesday, April 30 the bar association will hold its annual Law Day luncheon at Greystone Hall at 103 S. High St.
During the event, the organization will pay tribute to all 50- and 60-year members, along with 70-year member attorney Archie Skidmore.
Summit Legal Defenders Director Andrea Whitaker will receive the Liberty Bell Award and Akron Law Professor Brant Lee will be presented with the Diversity Award.
In addition, Maguire Schneckenburger Legal Group will be given Community Legal Aid’s Pro Bono award.
The luncheon runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; tickets cost $40.
Law Week concludes on May 2, with the annual Red Mass, which takes place at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Akron.
Retired Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Marvin A. Shapiro will be presented with the St. Thomas More award.
For more information on the Law Day luncheon or other scheduled events visit akronbar.org.