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Longtime local attorney takes reins at OSBA Board of Governors

SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter

Published: July 31, 2014

It’s been less than two months since Youngtown attorney Stephen T. Bolton took over as District 13 Representative on the Board of Governors of the Ohio State Bar Association, but he’s already laid out some challenging goals.

“One of my biggest concerns is contributing to a potential solution that addresses the fact that so many young people who graduate law school cannot find jobs,” said Bolton.

“This is something that one person or entity cannot solve. It will take a lot of collaboration between colleges, the bar associations, the Ohio Supreme Court and perhaps the legislature. I think people are beginning to innovate to deal with the issue, but it will take time.”

A longtime member of the Ohio State Bar Association Council of Delegates and Media Law Committee, Bolton was elected in the spring of 2014 to a three-year term on the Board of Governors.

The 24-member board meets on a monthly basis to manage the bar association’s business matters, set policy, review pending legislation and deal with other member concerns. District 13 includes 442 members that practice in Columbiana and Mahoning counties.

“My immediate focus is getting to understand the inner workings of the Board of Governors,” said Bolton.

Born in San Antonio, Texas, Bolton received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia. He was admitted to practice in Ohio in 1972 and serves as president and shareholder at the recently merged Manchester Newman & Bennett, where he focuses on litigation and oil and gas.

He is also a member of the bar associations in Columbiana, Trumbull and Mahoning counties. In 2008, Bolton was awarded the Mahoning County Bar Association’s Professionalism Award.

The Lowellville resident lives with his wife, Deborah, who is a registered nurse, and has four grown children and two grandchildren.

Bolton said he officially took the reins as District 13 Representative at the beginning of July, succeeding attorney Joseph Ludovici, who practices at Aronson, Fineman & Davis Co. Ludovici’s term ended on June 30.

Bolton said he plans to work to increase membership at the bar association and contribute to certain aspects of the association’s magazine.

Another major priority, he said, will be to ensure that the public has adequate legal representation. “Legal aid services are being cut and we need to look at ways to fill the void which has been a problem in recent years.”

“I am pleased that Stephen Bolton’s peers have elected him to serve on the OSBA Board or Governors,” said Martin E. Mohler, Ohio State Bar Association President for 2014-2015. “I believe the wisdom Steve has gained as a leader of his firm will serve the association well, and I look forward to working with him during my term as president.”


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