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Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio discusses goals as OSBA president-elect

SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter

Published: July 19, 2019

During her many years on the Summit County Juvenile Court bench, Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio has introduced a number of innovative programs, including those designed to identify and provide services to human trafficking victims, reunite families and assist youth with co-occurring mental illness and/or substance dependence and developmental delays.

Now Judge Tucci Teodosio, who officially took over as Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) president-elect on July 1, plans to use her experience on the court to craft initiatives to promote attorney wellness, improve access to justice and educate the public about the legal system and the important role lawyers play in the community.

Judge Tucci Teodosio received the news that she had been elected president-elect on May 10 during the annual OSBA meeting at the Grand Event Center in Grandview Heights.

“I am very excited about the opportunity and I have a number of ideas that I would like to implement,” said Judge Tucci Teodosio, who will take the reins as OSBA president on July 1, 2020.

OSBA President Eleana Drakatos described Judge Tucci Teodosio as “kind and innovative.”

The two served together on the OSBA Board of Governors when Judge Tucci Teodosio was the District 11 representative and Drakatos was an at-large member.

“Judge Teodosio is passionate about the rule of law and I appreciate how she has always sought ways in which she can use the law to better peoples’ lives," said Drakatos, an attorney at Yacobozzi Drakatos. 

“I look forward to working with her on narrowing the access to justice gap, especially in the rural communities of Ohio,” said Drakatos. “I will also look to her for guidance and support in talking with law students across the state on how they can help their communities, start their law practices and become good attorneys.”

A native of Canton, Ohio, Judge Tucci Teodosio received her bachelor’s degree in education and her juris doctorate from The University of Akron, beginning her legal career as an associate at Nukes & Perantinides Co. (now Perantinides & Nolan Co.).

She took the juvenile court bench in 2003, after serving as a Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court judge. Her other experience includes working as a staff attorney for 9th District Court of Appeals Judge Joyce George and being an Akron Municipal Court magistrate.

An Ohio State Bar Foundation fellow, Judge Tucci Teodosio is a former Akron Bar Association president and served on the bar association’s board of trustees twice.

In addition, she is a former board member and president of the Akron Bar Foundation.

The judge, who was named an Outstanding Alumna of The University of Akron School of Law in 2007, was also on the board and president of the Akron Law Alumni Association.

Judge Tucci Teodosio lives in Munroe Falls with her husband 9th District Court of Appeals Presiding Judge Thomas Teodosio. Their son Christopher is an attorney at Brouse McDowell.

Over the years, she has been appointed to statewide and national panels, committees, commissions and task forces that dealt with juvenile justice reform and other issues impacting youth.

Her work to improve the lives of young people, their families and the community at large has been recognized locally, statewide and nationally, earning her numerous accolades, including the prestigious St. Thomas More award and the OSBA’s Thomas J. Moyer Award for Judicial Excellence. 

OSBA immediate past president Robin Weaver said the judge is well prepared for her new role as president-elect.

“I was on the board of governors when Judge Teodosio first started,” said Weaver, a retired Squire Patton Boggs partner. “She was a very active governor and a smart, quick learner with her fingers on the pulse of the issues of concern to the organization.

“She has done much to improve the justice system for youth who come before her court and I believe she will bring innovation to the bar association as president-elect and later as president.”

Judge Tucci Teodosio said she will continue working with Weaver and Drakatos on initiatives to improve access to justice for poor and low-income individuals, while also focusing on exploring ways to help members achieve and maintain work-life balance.

“One idea is to see if we might be able to combine some of our meetings and CLE opportunities with family-related events to allow our attorneys to spend more time with family.

“I will also be working with the leadership to raise awareness about the many things that the OSBA does for members and the community as a whole,” said Judge Tucci Teodosio. “For example, the bar association plays a key role in ensuring that lawyers are aware of new legislation being proposed so they have the chance to advise lawmakers on how the language might be improved to achieve the desired effect and the effects that the proposed legislation may have on the legal system.”

The judge said she will also work to come up with new programs that educate the public on the rule of law.

“I believe it is our job as lawyers to provide community members with relevant education so they better understand how the legal system impacts their everyday lives.”

Former OSBA President Ron Kopp said he’s confident that Judge Tucci Teodosio’s leadership will enhance the value provided to OSBA members.

“I encouraged Judge Teodosio to run for president-elect and I believe she will do an excellent job,” said Kopp, a shareholder at Roetzel & Andress. “She has a great deal of experience with local and state bar associations and in running a large court operation.

“I think she will bring a lot of great ideas to the table and then use her organizational talents to move those ideas forward and execute them.”


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