The University of Akron School of Law

The Akron Bar Association held their annual meeting at the Akron Zoo this evening.

Congratulations to President-Elect, Dean of Career Services Alisa Benedict O'Brien and VP of Membership Jill Cabe '08.

Directors: Kate Calla '21, Alex Quay '09, and Tamara Todd '02.

Pictured, Robin Lombardi, Alisa Benedict O'Brien, and Alecia Bencze from the School of Law.

Thinking about law school? Learn more at our next Prospective Student Open House. Saturday, July 25th from 10AM to 12:30PM.

Register here: https://forms.lsac-unite.org/1829/JulyInfoSession26.html

The Cleveland Akron Law Association (CALA), a consortium of the Akron/Cleveland law schools and large law firms, hosted a Summer Associate event at CentroVilla25 this evening.

In attendance were Alisa Benedict O’Brien, Dean of Career Services, Alecia Bencze, Director of Career Services, and Akron Law students, Ashley Bierman (Thompson Hine), Joey Martinez (Calfee), Lynsey Scheneman (Benesch), and Arselan Rekhif (Benesch).

Melissa Kress, Director of Student + Academic Affairs, and Andrew Costigan, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, are in Salt Lake City, Utah, this week attending the 10th Annual National Association of Law Student Affairs Professionals (NALSAP) Conference.

Together, they presented a concurrent session to other student affairs professionals titled Accommodations on a Lean Staff: High-impact, Low-Resource Strategies for Law School Student Affairs.

We are so proud of Director Kress and Dean Costigan. Congratulations on a great presentation!

Congratulations to Joey Martinez '27 and Dr. Lynn Williams '25, who have recently been published in journals!

3L Joey Martinez was published in Volume 17, Issue 2 (2025) of the Con Law Now Journal. His note titled Antitrust Law in Professional Sports: How Major League Baseball has Continued Being the Exception to the Rule can be read here: https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/conlawnow/

Joey would like to thank Professors Tracy Thomas, Gary Spring, and Sarah Starnes for their guidance throughout the writing process. Congratulations, Joey!

Dr. Lynn Williams '25 was published in Volume 25, issue 2 (2026) of the Connecticut Public Interest Law Journal. Her article, co-written with Ariana M. Ellis, is titled More than "Just a Misdemeanor": Why Diversion Is Critical for Low-Level Youth Offenders can be read here: https://cpilj.law.uconn.edu/

Lynn would like to thank Professors Ben Cohen and Sue Altmeyer for their guidance throughout the writing process. She wrote this article as part of Professor Cohen's Progressive Prosecution Class. Congratulations, Lynn!

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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!”