The University of Akron School of Law

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The University of Akron School of Law

At Akron Law, we have taken the lead in providing high quality education to all of our students without the expensive price tag.

Located in a dynamic region renowned for rolling hills, stunning woodlands, famous sporting events, a national park, and more than 150 Fortune 500 companies, The University of Akron School of Law provides a broad-based legal education and cutting-edge skills training that can prepare you for a professional career in law or other sectors in Ohio, around the United States, or across the world. Our o

utstanding and dedicated faculty, administration, and staff invest in your success. Flexible enrollment opportunities, specialized studies and certificates, clinical programs, and joint degrees enable you to get the academic and practical experiences that best meet your needs. Our distinguished intellectual property program provides students with non-science and science backgrounds with training from renowned experts, close contact with IP lawyers and leaders in industry, and pathways to success. We also offer a leading trial advocacy program including litigation courses, alternative dispute resolution offerings, and a national championship trial team. Other areas of strength include health law, business, criminal law, constitutional law (including one of only four centers established by the U.S. Congress), ethics, family law, international law, wealth management law, and others. The Akron Law community counts more than 7,000 attorneys, policymakers, leaders of industry, and judges (nearly 200 at present) among its ranks. Distinguish yourself here at The University of Akron School of Law!

05/28/2026

Congratulations to Shayela Harmon '26 and Christina Getto '25 who received the inaugural Miller Becker Awards for Exceptional Student Professionalism.

Students in the graduating class were nominated by faculty, staff, and their peers. Each year the award will be presented to one full-time student and one part-time student who:

• Embody some aspect of the character of Mr. Miller and Professor Becker: exceptional professionalism, leadership, service, or friendship;
• Have a reputation within the Akron Law community for being a person of principle, compassion, strength, and courage; and
• Have upheld the Student Oath of Professionalism by honoring the standards of academic honesty, strengthening the law school community, conducting themselves with dignity and civility, and treating students, staff and faculty with kindness and respect.

Please join us in congratulating Shayela and Christina for their outstanding professionalism during their time in law school. We are proud of them and cannot wait to see what they each accomplish in the profession of law.

05/27/2026

Our Class of 2026 Social Media Spotlight Series wraps up today with Lana Gibbs. “My favorite memory was competing on the Trial Team. I loved being able to compete with other students in courtrooms all around the country. It taught me to think on my feet, build strong relationships with my teammates, and really improved my confidence. One of my favorite moments was trying a case in front of a jury of high school students; after deliberating, they returned a verdict in our favor,” said Lana.

Lana served as Treasurer and Secretary of Trial Team, Vice President of the Federal Bar Association student chapter, Secretary of the Christian Legal Society, and a member of the Student Bar Association and Law Association for Women. She competed in Trial Team competitions across the country: Fall 2024 in Buffalo, NY at the Buffalo-Niagara Trial Competition; Spring 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA at the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County Mock Trial Competition; Fall 2025 in Los Angeles, CA at the National Civil Trial Competition (NCTC); and Spring 2026 in Cleveland, OH at the National Trial Competition (NTC). Additionally, Lana served on Law Review as an Articles Editor, and earned a CALI Award in Trial Advocacy I. After graduation, Lana is excited to join Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty as an associate.

05/26/2026

“My favorite Akron Law memory was our 1L Friendsgiving,” said Jared Baldwin. “There, in the midst of all of the chaos of one's first semester, I sat around a table with my class and some of my closest friends—several of which I suspect I will be friends with for the rest of my life. We enjoyed food and music and just got the chance to talk about what it was we had decided to get ourselves into by going into law school. At one point in the night, I remember people blasting and singing along to the icarly theme song and thinking to myself what a strange and special moment I was in. I couldn't explain why, but I knew that it was important. I knew that it was something I would remember forever. I know now that the reason it stuck with me was because the whole thing, as simple as it was, was a reminder of humanity in a hard time. It was a moment of genuine simultaneous connection over the silliest thing. I still go back and watch the video from time to time.”

During his time at Akron Law, Jared was involved in Trial Team, Law Review, and served as President of the Health Law Society. He competed in Case Classic, National Trial Competition, National Civil Trial Competition, and AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition. He earned a CALI Award in Expert Evidence and spent over 150 hours supporting students through Academic Success Program work. After graduation, Jared will join Shapero | Roloff, L.L.P. as an associate, focusing on plaintiff-side medical malpractice and nursing home cases, with long-term goals to teach at the law school after loving being an ASP fellow so much.

05/25/2026

Amanda Mervine served as Treasurer of the American Constitution Society and was a member of Moot Court Honor Society, competing in the National Moot Court Competition in Child Welfare and Adoption Law. She volunteered with the Reentry Clinic and worked as a Certified Legal Intern for the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office. Amanda earned CALI Awards in Legal Research and Writing II, Legal Drafting, and Juvenile Law. “My favorite memory from Akron Law was the Ireland Study Abroad Program with Professor Dana Cole. Our group had a great time in Ireland and continued to stay connected by having Ireland get-togethers even after we returned from the trip,” she said. Amanda plans to practice in Northeast Ohio.

05/22/2026

After the bar exam, Taylor Calarco will join Jackson Kelly PLLC as an Associate in the Akron office, practicing in the litigation group. During law school, Taylor participated in the SEED Clinic, gaining transactional business experience while assisting community members in their business ventures. Taylor earned CALI Awards in Torts and Insurance Law. “It is difficult to select a single favorite memory from Akron Law, as the relationships I’ve built and the experiences I’ve gained have been among the most meaningful of my life. I would not change anything about these past few years and am truly grateful for my time at Akron Law!”

05/21/2026

“My favorite memory was welcoming our first son, Leandro, during a busy fall semester. Life didn’t slow down; but somehow, it did. In the middle of all the chaos of school, work, and everything else, that moment reminded me what really matters,” said part-time student Gene Valentino. After the bar exam, Gene will continue with Plakas Mannos where he has worked since 2024, joining as an associate and helping lead the firm’s affiliated title company.

During his time at Akron Law, he was involved in Law Review, Trial Team, the VALID Clinic, Christian Legal Society, and Business Law Society, and served as a note taker for the Office of Accessibility. He earned multiple CALI Awards in Legal Research & Writing, Evidence, Advanced Legal Research, and UCC, the Ernest Karam Book Award, the “Roo Award” for Best Advocate in the Summer Trial Academy, and recognition as Best Advocate and Best Witness in the Ohio Attorney General Trial Competition where the Akron Law Trial Team took first place.

Gene added, “Before law school, I built my career in sales; so I came in knowing how to communicate, compete, and connect. Akron Law and the College of Business helped sharpen that into advocacy. I’m finishing both a J.D. and Master of Taxation, and I’m grateful for the training, mentorship, and opportunities that helped me grow into the attorney I’m becoming.”

Gene is pictured here with his mentor Judge Gwin '76 (who graduated from Akron Law 50 years prior to Gene, also at EJ Thomas Hall) and his daughter Ellie.

05/20/2026

“My favorite memory was winning the Ohio Attorney General Trial Competition in Fall of 2024. I really felt like an underdog throughout the process, and we all worked so hard it was unreal to hear our team called as the winners. I give credit to my coaches Austin Nagy and Ryan Cash for making me and the entire team into tournament-winning advocates and I have taken what they have taught me into all of my other competitions and into my work at the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office,” said Erin Lynn. Erin served as a 2L SBA Representative and Programming Chair for ACS and competed on Trial Team in multiple competitions, including the Fall 2024 Ohio Attorney General Trial Competition and where the team won first place; the Spring 2025 Online National Trial Competition team; the Case Classic in Fall of 2025 where the team made the semifinal round placing 4th; and at the National Trial Competition (NTC) Spring of 2026. Outside of the Trial Team, Erin was the champion of the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office internal mock trial competition in Summer 2025. Erin also completed 150 pro bono hours with the Federal Public Defender’s Office and earned a CALI Award in Constitutional Law.

Erin added, “My certified legal intern certificate transformed my law school experience by allowing me to conduct hearings as a law student and even first chair 3 trials. Having my first trial win as a law student is insane and I think that all students especially those who want to be in the courtroom should take advantage of this opportunity whether through the PD or prosecutors office or even through the DR Practicum at the law school!” After the bar exam, Erin plans to become a prosecutor in Northeast Ohio.

05/19/2026

Last week, on Thursday and Friday, we were thrilled to welcome 32 prospective students to our Akron Law Prep summer program, sponsored by Roetzel & Andress. Students participated in mock law classes, LSAT prep sessions, a tour of our local courts including meetings with Judge Jennifer D. Towell and Judge Kani H. Hightower, and lunch with attorneys from Roetzel & Andress , among other activities. Students will also participate in several virtual sessions over the next few weeks, with the chance to earn LSAT prep support from LSAT Lab.

Our thanks to Associate Dean Mike Gentithes, Assistant Director of Admissions Jennifer Browning, and Director of Admissions Anthony Colucci for coordinating the program. Thanks also to Judge Towell, Judge Hightower, Attorney Dan Glessner, Assistant Dean Alisa Benedict O’Brien, Professor Jess Miers, and Professor Todd Ge**er for their contributions. And of course – we could not put together such a wonderful program for these students without the generous support of Roetzel & Andress.

05/18/2026

After graduation, Shayela Harmon will join Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff. During her time at Akron Law, she served as President of the Black Law Student Association, Vice President of External Competition for Moot Court, and an Associate Editor for Law Review, and was a member of the Law Association for Women and Outlaws. Shayela worked as a Judicial Extern for Judge Fleming, a Law Clerk with the United States Attorney’s Office, Programming Chair for ACS, a Legal Writing Fellow, and a Research Assistant for the Law Library. She competed in multiple moot court competitions, including the American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition in 2025, where the team’s brief ranked 4th for the Los Angeles Regionals, and in 2026, where the team went 5-0 in the Philadelphia Regionals and advanced to Nationals in Chicago. Shayela also competed in the NYC Bar Association's Moot Court Competition in 2024. In addition to completing over 300 pro bono hours, she earned a CALI Award in Property. Her favorite Akron Law memory, “Professor Spring’s Valentine’s Day bake-off competition during 1L year!” she said.

05/16/2026

Congratulations Class of 2026 🎓🥂

Address

150 University Avenue
Akron, OH
44325

Telephone

+13309727331

Website

http://www.uakron.edu/law

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