With support from OBLIC - Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company
& The Akron Bar Foundation
History of the Leadership Academy
In 2013, the Akron Bar Association initiated a New Lawyer Task Force to identify and address the needs of our emerging members. One of the Task Force’s recommendations was the creation of a leadership academy. The Akron Bar’s Board of Trustees ratified the Leadership Academy Subcommittee and assigned to them the responsibility of creating and sustaining this program.
The Leadership Academy accepts active members of the Akron Bar Association who are currently a practicing attorney or on the bench as a Magistrate or Judge. The Academy will from October 2025 through June 2026. The Academy Planning Committee has developed eight (8) once monthly events that will promote the listed goals of the Academy. The Leadership Academy begins in October 2025, and sessions are be held monthly with half-day sessions on weekdays. See this year's curriculum schedule below.
A special thank you to Perantinides & Nolan, Co., L.P.A. for their generous support of the Leadership Academy providing us the ability to provide the program for no cost to the participants! P&N: Akron Medical Malpractice & Injury Attorneys
The Perantinides & Nolan Leadership Academy identifies Akron Bar Association members who demonstrate leadership, professionalism, and a commitment to community stewardship. Through a curriculum focused on self-discovery and personal growth, participants strengthen their leadership abilities and prepare to make a meaningful impact within the Akron and Summit County legal profession.
This year's Leadership Academy project is an Akron Bar Association Food Drive benefiting the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. Through June 9 the Food Drive has raised $3,576 in financial donations!!!
Akron Bar Association Perantinides & Nolan Leadership Academy Launches Countywide Law Firm Food Drive Competition
Akron, Ohio, May 20, 2026 — The Akron Bar Association (ABA) Perantinides & Nolan Leadership Academy is proud to announce the launch of its 2026 Food Drive Competition, a community-focused initiative uniting Summit County’s legal community in support of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
Running from May 20th through July 17th, 2026, this friendly competition invites law firms and legal offices across Summit County to come together for a shared purpose: fighting hunger and strengthening the local community. Participating offices will compete to donate the highest number of meals, with updates given at the ABA’s Annual Meeting on June 24, 2026.
A Community Effort with Real Impact
The ABA Leadership Academy Food Drive is designed to make participation accessible, collaborative, and impactful. Firms can contribute meals in three meaningful ways:
How It Works
Law firms and offices must register to participate and designate a team captain to coordinate efforts. Offices will be grouped into two categories—small offices (fewer than 20 members) and large offices (20 or more members)—to ensure fair competition.
The ABA will track total meals donated by each office. To ensure accurate reporting:
Building Community Beyond the Office
While volunteering is not required, the ABA strongly encourages firms to take advantage of this opportunity to engage in meaningful team-building while giving back. The initiative is open to everyone within a law office, including attorneys, paralegals, interns, and support staff.
“This initiative reflects the legal community’s shared commitment to service,” said a representative of the ABA Leadership Academy. “By working together, we can make a measurable difference for families in need across Summit County.”
Get Involved
Law firms and offices interested in participating can register using the official sign-up link and begin organizing their internal efforts. Early registration is encouraged to maximize impact throughout the competition period.
For additional information on this program, please contact Chris Mobley at cmobley@legaldefenders.org,
Andy Maltiz at amalitz@akronbar.org, or Anna Theis at atheis@akronbar.org.
About the Akron Bar Association Perantinides & Nolan Leadership Academy
The ABA P & N Leadership Academy develops emerging leaders within the legal profession by fostering professional growth, community engagement, and service-driven initiatives.
Thursday, October 23, 2025 (1-4:00PM)
Introduction to the Leadership Academy Program: Meet key attorneys who will play a central role in your experience as well as the new CEO of the Akron Bar Association.
Presenters were:
Andy Malitz- Director of Membership, Akron bar Association
Jill Cabe- Summit Legal Defenders, Vice President of Membership, Akron Bar Association Board of Directors
Catherine (Cate) Kurela- CEO, Akron Bar Association
Brian Moore- Partner, Roetzell & Andress, President Akron Bar Association Board of Directors
Paul Perantinides- Partner, Perantinides & Nolan, Co., L.P.A.
Chris Nolan- Partner, Perantinides & Nolan, Co., L.P.A.
Location: The Akron Bar Association
Thursday, November 13, 2025 (1-4:00 PM)
Community Leadership and Board Service: Hear experts how service builds your credibility and trust and provides practical leadership experience and other transferrable skills.
Presenters were:
Katie Carver Reed, Vice President & C.O.O., Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
Julie Clark, Vice President, Non-profit Engagement, BVU (Business Volunteers Unlimited)
Volunteer | Cleveland, Akron, Northeast Ohio
Location: The Akron Bar Association
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 (12:30-4:15 PM) With Lunch at 12:30
Chris Williams, Associate Vice President, The Center for Immersive Leadership, presenting "Fostering Attorney Resiliency and Well-Being for the Long Run" The Center for Immersive Leadership - Homepage
Marcy Levy Shankman, President MLS Consulting, www.mlsconsulting.net Presenting: An interactive and reflective facilitated workshop designed to enhance self-awareness about potential leadership skills and capacities to develop and enhance demonstration of leadership. "Leader. Lead. Leadership. Leading. Four similar words yet they mean many different things to different people. This session will provide an overview of how leadership and leading has been defined, how to think about yourself as a leader, and what steps you can take to improve how you lead". Consulting, Coaching, and Training Services | MLS Consulting, LLC | Home
Location: The Akron Bar Association
Friday, February 6, 2026 (6-10PM)
The Akron Bar Association Annual Gala: Supporting their efforts to award grants and scholarships which improve the administration of justice and promote understanding of the law. Participants are invited to attend the gala at no charge, and tickets are available for guests. Akron Bar Foundation - Annual Gala (2026) - Calendar of Events
Location: The Bank at East End
ADDED DATE: Thursday, February 26 (12:30- 4:15PM) With Lunch at 12:30
Presenter: OBLIC- Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company- 12:30- 1:15PM
Presenter: Attorney Larry Vuillemin, Center for Immersive Leadership, "Leadership Skills for Attorneys with Community Impact" 1:30-3:30PM The Center for Immersive Leadership - Homepage
Yoga: A special 45-minute Yoga session presented by HARVEST Yoga and Wellness Studio 3:30-4:15
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (12:30-4:00PM)
Public Service and Running for Office: Receive an overview of what it takes to run for office, including eligibility, understanding the office, and the basics of campaigning and avoiding conflicts of interest. Presenters included Mayor Shammas Malik and President Elect of The Akron Bar Association John Martin of Brennen, Manna & Diamond, LLC
Location: The Summit County Board of Elections
Thursday, April 30, 2026 (12:45-3:30PM)
Community Service: Learn what it means to effect change in a capacity other than law, and how addressing hunger helps provide stability so that people may better address other barriers in their lives.
Location: Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
Thursday, May 28, 2026 (Time TBD)
Specialty Courts and Services: Learn from the local judges and magistrates who address the particular needs of citizens with secondary trauma, which may include presentations from those involved in the Mental Health Court, Valor Court, and Drug Court. In addition, gain tips on how you can gain professional fulfillment while addressing your own wellness.
Location: Courthouse and Courtroom TBD
Wednesday, June 24, Time TBD
Graduation Reception during the Akron Bar Association’s Annual Meeting
Photos of Past Classes
Current Class: A warm welcome to this great selection of emerging leaders to the 2025-26 Perantinides & Nolan Leadership Academy!