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Larry Scanlon signs on as Akron Bar president
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: August 21, 2015
When a boy grows up with a role model like legendary lawyer Charles F. Scanlon, a founder of the prestigious Scanlon/Bell Inn of Court, it’s not unusual that he would want to have a positive impact on the legal profession.
That’s certainly true of longtime plaintiff personal injury attorney Larry Scanlon, the youngest of Charles’ four sons, who officially took the reins as president of the Akron Bar Association on July 1.
“Larry is extremely dedicated to the legal profession, the bar association and the development of young attorneys,” said Ann Marie O’Brien, outgoing president of the Akron Bar Association.
“I’ve known Larry since the start of my career in 1989,” said O’Brien. “I worked at his law firm as a law clerk and an attorney. He’s a true believer, who’s been very involved with the bar long before I ever knew him. I am extremely proud that Larry is our new leader. I am confident the bar association is in great hands.”
Born and raised in Akron, Scanlon has three brothers, Timothy, Michael and Terence and one sister, Patricia. He graduated from Walsh Jesuit High School, receiving a bachelor’s degree in English and his law degree from The University of Akron. He began his legal career at his brothers’ firm Scanlon & Scanlon in 1978 (which later became Scanlon & Gearinger and now is known as The Scanlon Group).
“I have been doing some type of legal job probably from the age of 19,” said Scanlon.
“I started practicing with my brothers.”
Scanlon’s next stop was Guy, Mentzer & Towne. In 1984 he became a partner at Scanlon & Henretta Co. After the firm separated in 1997, he practiced under the banner Scanlon & Co. until a few years ago when attorney Mike Elliott joined his practice forming Scanlon & Elliott. The plaintiff personal injury firm represents clients in matters ranging from medical malpractice, products liability and catastrophic accidents to nursing home abuse, negligence and neglect.
“My dad was the reason I wanted to be a lawyer,” said Scanlon, managing partner at Scanlon & Elliott. “It was very inspiring and daunting to watch him practice. He made himself available to his clients 24/7.
“I like the intellectual challenge and the satisfaction of helping my clients,” said Scanlon.
“I do civil trial and appellate work for plaintiffs who have been injured. It is immensely satisfying to help someone right a wrong and maybe try and change their life for the better so they can eliminate some debt or put their kids through college.”
Scanlon is licensed in Ohio and Florida and is a member of the American, Akron, Ohio State and Florida bar associations. He’s a board certified civil trial lawyer in Florida and is certified as a civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (recognized by the Ohio Supreme Court).
Scanlon is also a former associate-in-law at the American College of Legal Medicine and is currently senior counsel at The College of Master Advocates & Barristers.
His service on the Ohio State Bar Association entailed membership on the Negligence Law Committee and Council of Delegates. In addition, he is a fellow at the Ohio State Bar Foundation.
Scanlon joined the Akron Bar Association right after graduating law school. He’s held countless positions in the organization, including chair of the Judicial Evaluation, Disaster Response, Lawyers’ Assistance and Common Pleas & Appellate Courts committees as well as serving on the board of trustees, where he was treasurer from 1995 to 1997.
“I think I bring an historical perspective to the position of bar president,” said Scanlon. “When I started there was one employee behind an opaque glass window. The building was old and dilapidated. Now the organization owns a multi-million dollar building on South Broadway Street and has a dozen staff members.
“The mission is still the same though—to further the profession and advance the educational competency of attorneys so they can help the public.”
“All of the boys in the family chose to go into the legal profession,” said Larry’s older brother Mike Scanlon, a sole practitioner in Akron. “When you have a father who sits at the dinner table and lights up like a Christmas tree when he is talking about the law, it’s not hard to imagine why we thought the practice of law looked like it would be a good field to get into for a career.
“I think Larry is very good at what he does,” said Mike. “He works very hard and puts in long hours. He is extremely committed to the bar association. I am not sure what his plans are as president, but knowing Larry he will do whatever is necessary to see to it that all members of the bar are represented.”
“I’ve known Larry since 1982 when I first started practicing,” said Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge Thomas Teodosio, who swore in Scanlon on June 25.
“His reputation for honesty and professionalism is outstanding.
“He’s been very active in the bar association over the years. I am sure he will make mentoring young attorneys a top priority of the bar.”
William Chris, a partner at Roderick Linton Belfance, described Scanlon as an “insightful, hard working attorney.
“Few people work harder than Larry on a case. If you put in ten hours, Larry puts in 11,” said Chris who first met Scanlon in the mid-‘80s.
”We have been colleagues in the legal community for a long time and have developed a mutual respect for one another. He is a smart and tireless worker. I have no doubt he will bring the same type of passion to his leadership of the Akron Bar Association.”
Akron Bar Association President-elect Margaret (Meg) Andreeff Matejkovic said she first met Scanlon when the two were serving on the board of directors for the Akron Law Alumni Association in the mid-‘90s. She said Scanlon is an excellent choice for bar president.
“Larry has the ability to generate and implement creative ideas, but he also listens to and elicits creativity and effectiveness from those with whom he works,” Matejkovic said in an email. “It will truly be my privilege to assist him as he leads our association.”
“Larry has a tremendous amount of knowledge about the Akron legal community and he knows a lot of people in the community,” said Akron Bar Association Executive Director C. Allen Nichols. “I think he has a vision for what the bar should be and what it should offer members.
“I look forward to working with him this year and seeing where he takes us.”
Scanlon said his goal is to make the organization more inclusive of all members of the legal community, including paralegals.
“My goal is to make the bar association relevant to current members and those in waiting,” said Scanlon. “We have to use technology and other tools to make it a welcoming place to share ideas and information.
“We have a good working relationship between the bench and the bar as well as the bar and Akron law school and I want to foster even better relationships.”