Login | October 29, 2026
Two Mahoning Valley attorneys earn accolades from Community Legal Aid
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: October 29, 2026
A longtime Boardman Township solo practitioner and a former Mahoning County Court judge were recently recognized as Pro Bono Volunteers of the Year by Community Legal Aid.
Mahoning Valley attorneys Diane L. Chermely and JP Morgan were honored in mid-September at separate events for their ongoing legal assistance to the nonprofit law firm’s low-income clients.
“I was quite honored to be selected,” said Morgan, who received his accolade Sept. 17 during the Trumbull County Bar Association’s awards dinner at Salvatore’s Banquet Center in Howland, Ohio. “I have been recognized in the past when I was more active than I am now, so I was very surprised.”
Chermely is also a former honoree. She volunteered at eight of Community Legal Aid’s Mahoning County pro se divorce clinics in 2025, clocking between 25 and 30 hours.
“My work involved helping people get divorced,” said Chermely, who was presented with the award Sept. 14 at the annual Opening of Courts luncheon, held at the Tyler History Center.
“I believe in giving back in whatever way I can, and since I am not in a position to make substantial monetary contributions, I volunteer my time.”
Community Legal Aid Executive Director Steven McGarrity said both are “well deserving” of the awards.
“Attorney Chermely has been a dedicated pro bono attorney for Community Legal Aid for more than 30 years,” said McGarrity.
“Attorney Morgan has worked with clients through the divorce hub and has been a pro bono volunteer for us for more than 15 years,” McGarrity said.
“Both of these attorneys see the value of giving back to their community and understand that as attorneys we have a moral imperative to use our skills to help people in our communities.
“We are grateful on behalf of the many clients they’ve helped to overcome a legal problem,” McGarrity said.
Raised in Canfield Township, Chermely received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Youngstown State University and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1989.
“I actually wasn’t planning on being a lawyer when I went to law school,” said Chermely. “I went to law school so I could enter the corporate world.
“A lot of CEOs are lawyers,” she said. “But after graduating and passing the bar, I decided not to pursue my original goal.”
After moving back to Mahoning County, she opened a law office, where she now focuses on probate and juvenile law matters.
“I’ve been a solo practitioner for almost my entire career, with the exception of a brief period when I worked for Hyatt Legal Services.”
Chermely is a member of the Mahoning County Bar Association’s Probate/Estate Planning Committee and its social committee.
She is also a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Trumbull County Bar Association and a former member of the American Bar Association.
Outside of the legal profession, she serves on the board of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Retirement Services Inc. and is the secretary-treasurer of the Slovene National Benefit Society, Youngstown Lodge 153.
“I enjoy volunteering with Community Legal Aid, which I’ve done consistently throughout my career,” said Chermely. “Organizations like Community Legal Aid desperately need volunteers and I plan to continue my work with them for the foreseeable future.”
Morgan was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, but moved to Mineral Ridge when he was in eighth grade.
He received his bachelor’s degree from The University of Akron, where he majored in political science and criminal justice, and earned his Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law in 2001.
“I knew I wanted to be a lawyer as a teenager,” said Morgan. “I was a big admirer of JFK, and I always wanted to be like him.
“One of the first things he did was go to law school, so that was my plan too.”
Morgan began his career as an associate at Brennan, Frederick, Vouros & Yarwood but left several months later after receiving a job offer from Ted Ivanchak, a family friend, to join his law firm, Ivanchak & Fowler in Warren, Ohio.
After Ivanchak passed away a few years later, Morgan started his own practice in Warren, where he focuses on criminal defense and family law.
From March 2019 to November 2020, he served as a judge for Mahoning County Court # 3 in Sebring.
“I was appointed by Gov. DeWine to fill the vacancy created by Judge David D’Apolito’s election to the 7th District Court of Appeals,” said Morgan. “I ran in the next general election to retain the seat but was defeated.”
Since 2021 Morgan has been a contract employee for the Office of the Ohio Public Defender, representing indigent clients in felony and misdemeanor cases. He served in the same capacity at the office from 2007-2016.
Morgan is a member of the Mahoning County, Trumbull County and Ohio State bar associations and sits on the Trumbull County bar’s Family Law Committee and Bar Applicants Committee.
He previously chaired the Trumbull County Bar Association’s Grievance Committee and spent two years as its bar counsel.
Morgan is also a former vice president, secretary and board member at both Heartland Christian School and the Pregnancy Help Center of Mahoning Valley.
In addition to this year, Morgan received Community Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year award in 2009.
His years-long work with the Niles Lions Club also earned him the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest recognition given by the Lions Clubs International Foundation for community service.
As a longtime Community Legal Aid volunteer, Morgan has primarily handled family law cases.
In 2025, he dedicated between 25 and 30 hours to assisting the organization's clients.
“Most of my work was through the online portal program,” said Morgan, who spent the bulk of his time reviewing the paperwork for clients seeking divorce.
“I ensure the pleadings are correct and that the necessary relief is requested,” said Morgan.
“Separately I may take on some cases pro bono,” he said.
“There’s a scripture in the Bible that has spoken to me for much of my life, which says, ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’” said Morgan.
“I am extremely blessed, and my profession affords me the chance to help people who are struggling in their daily lives to get basic necessities. If I can provide something that will help make their lives better, I am more than willing to do it.”
A father of six, Morgan said he is very happy with the work he is doing now but would not rule out a run for judge in the future.
“My private practice gives me the flexibility I need to be active in my community and spend time with my family,” said Morgan. “I still have two school-aged children.
“I have no plans to run right now, but I am open to the possibility.”