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Larry Poulos to receive Professionalism Award
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: September 23, 2016
Akron attorney Larry Poulos has served in various legal capacities throughout his career, but no matter how many hours he devoted to his work, colleagues say he always made time to give back to the community and the Akron Bar Association.
While he’s received his share of accolades over the years, the Professionalism Award was not among them. But that all changed in July when he learned that he had been selected as this year’s recipient.
“I was very surprised,” said Poulos. “To me the Professionalism Award is what the legal profession is all about.”
Established in 1996 by the board of trustees of the Akron Bar Association, the award is given to an attorney who goes above and beyond to uphold the standards of the profession, while demonstrating integrity and humanitarian concern in the community.
L. Terrence Ufholz, a partner at Corzin, Sanislo & Ufholz, was one of the people who nominated Poulos for the award.
“I’ve actually nominated Larry for the past several years,” said Ufholz, a former president of the Akron Bar Association. “Everyone who has received the Professionalism award is very worthy of it, but Larry really hits all the high points.
“I’ve known Larry since the early ‘70s and he is absolutely a first-class attorney,” said Ufholz. “He is a very well-rounded individual and he’s been involved in so many community activities.”
Bill Chris, a partner at Roderick Linton Belfance, was also among those to nominate Poulos for the award.
“Larry is the type of guy who is always the first person to volunteer to help out,” said Chris.
“When Larry was magistrate, he had an open door policy and any attorney who had a question could ask for his assistance,” said Chris. “He was always courteous and professional. It was a pleasure to practice before him.”
Born and raised in Akron, Poulos got his bachelor’s degree in history and his juris doctor from The University of Akron.
He said he did not initially set out to go to law school but after his sister Elaine suggested it, he applied.
“When I started classes I decided it was something I really liked,” said Poulos. “It’s problem solving and helping people.”
After receiving his juris doctor in 1973, Poulos began his legal career as an associate at Cherpas, Manos and Syracopoulos, later becoming assistant law director for the City of Akron.
“While I was assistant law director, I met finance director Roy Ray who became the mayor in 1980. He asked me to be his deputy mayor for labor relations so I left the firm.”
Poulos later returned to the firm where he began, which had changed names. One of the name partners he worked with was the late Al Teodosio, the father of Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge Thomas Teodosio.
“I knew Larry initially through visiting with my father at the law firm,” said Judge Thomas Teodosio. “I got to know him much better when I was a law clerk at the firm in the ‘80s.
“Larry was a mentor to me. I always admired how he handled himself in front of clients and at meetings. He was patient, thoughtful and he always gave great advice,” said Judge Teodosio.
“His entire career he has embodied the qualities set forth in the Lawyer’s Creed of professionalism: He works diligently for his clients, treats opposing council with civility and integrity and is respectful to the court and his fellow professionals.”
After Poulos left the firm the second time, he became chief counsel for the civil division of the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.
Ninth District Court of Appeals Judge Donna Carr met Poulos while she was an assistant prosecutor in the civil division.
“Larry was my boss but became my mentor, friend and family,” said Judge Carr. “He taught me how to try a case, handle clients, when to settle and how to step back from being too emotionally involved. Most of what I learned as a professional was through his example of how he practiced law and treated others.”
In 1987, Poulos ran for mayor of Akron as the Republican candidate, losing to Democrat Don Plusquellic, who went on to became Akron’s longest serving mayor.
In the early ‘90s Poulos said he was recruited by Summit County Probate Court Judge William Spicer to be a referee at the probate court. Poulos later became Chief Magistrate of the Summit County Probate Court.
“Probate practice primarily involves two types of cases—those in which people that have lost loved ones are dealing with the person’s assets and guardianships. As magistrate I oversaw many guardianship cases,” Poulos said.
A longtime member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Poulos said his faith helped to guide him when he was magistrate and had to make “life and death decisions,” such as taking away a person’s rights and giving them to a guardian. “I believe that to do that you not only need to understand the law, you need compassion and a basic understanding of human beings that only your faith can provide.”
Since retiring as magistrate in 2010 he has focused on probate and estate planning matters at Barry M. Ward Co. and Rischitelli & Poulos, where his son George is a name partner. His daughter Elizabeth teaches at Jennings Middle School.
Poulos met his wife Karen Seiler after he graduated law school. They have been married since 1979.
“Larry’s cousin introduced us,” said Karen Poulos. “The first thing that attracted me to him was that he had a wonderful heartfelt smile. His kindness, thoughtfulness to others and wonderful sense of humor are all connected to that smile.
“Justice is very important to Larry,” said Karen, a retired Garfield High School English teacher. “For Larry professionalism includes court decorum and living by a code of honor.”
Today they live in West Akron. In addition to their two grown children, they also have two granddaughters, Stephanie and Louise.
Poulos’ son George describes his father as his “best friend, mentor and the nicest person I know.
“He was an amazing dad, who always spent time with me when I was growing up. He never punished his kids but the tone of his voice let you know you did something wrong.”
George said his father has helped him in his career and success as an attorney.
“My law partner is a former judicial attorney in the probate court,” said George. “When he decided to start his own practice and needed a law clerk, he called my dad for a recommendation and my dad recommended me.
“My goal is to be like my dad as much as possible,” said George. “He always tries to help other attorneys and I’m making a point of doing the same.”
Robert Rischitelli said Poulos was one of the legal professionals who mentored him.
“The most important thing I learned from Larry was how to remain objective,” said Rischitelli. “He explained that he always waited until all the evidence and legal arguments were in before even making an initial determination in a case.”
From 2010 to 2011, Poulos served as president of the Akron Bar Association. He also did a stint as treasurer while on the Akron Bar Association Board of Trustees. Poulos is a former member of the finance and probate committees and a current member of the senior lawyers committee.
A member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Poulos has spoken at many continuing legal education seminars at the Ohio State and Akron bar associations as well as being a lecturer at the Ohio Judicial College.
Sole practitioner Michael Robinson served as president-elect while Poulos was president of the bar association.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the Professionalism Award than Larry,” said Robinson. “He has an even temperament and he is always professional even in the face of unprofessional behavior from lawyers and clients,” said Robinson, who focuses on corporate and business matters.
Robinson said when Poulos served as bar president, he never let his personal views or opinions influence his actions.
“Larry dealt with quite a few challenging issues during his term as president,” said Robinson. “Larry was a great example of how to act professionally during difficult situations for all of us on the board of trustees.”
When Poulos was magistrate, Robinson appeared before him a few times. He said in each instance “his knowledge of the law was impeccable and he was always patient, considerate and gracious. You could not ask for more from an officer of the court.”
Poulos has volunteered at organizations that help students and residents in the community. He’s a past president and board member of Tarry House, which provides mental health services to adults; a past advisor for the law club and mock trial team at Garfield High School, former coordinator for the Community Fellowship Chapel’s annual Martin Luther King Day celebration and a past president and member of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) Goodfriendship Chapter 63.
In addition, Poulos is a former president and previous member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church’s board of trustees. He remains actively involved in the church, often preparing Greek food for dinners and other events.
Poulos also does a lot of cooking for bar association events, serving as director of social and culinary events for the Akron Bar Association’s senior lawyers committee.
“My father was an Akron fireman for 34 years and he did the cooking for the fire station so I learned to cook from him,” said Poulos. “I enjoy it.”
Poulos said he plans to remain involved in the bar association, continuing to do the cooking when asked as well as making other contributions.
Despite the many changes in the legal profession since he began practicing, Poulos said he still believes “your word is your bond” and an attorney should treat the other side as he/she would want to be treated “regardless of how the other attorney might act.”
Poulos will receive the Professionalism Award on Oct. 19 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron.