The Akron Legal News

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Former Akron law director makes the switch to private practice

SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter

Published: October 21, 2016

She spent most of her career handling legal matters for the city of Akron now former law director Patricia Ambrose Rubright has made the switch to private practice.

On Sept. 8 she joined the law firm of Mazanec, Raskin & Ryder Co. as of counsel in the municipal law group, where she’s focusing on civil rights and defending public employers and employees in government liability matters.

“It’s a great fit,” said Ambrose Rubright, who works out of the Cleveland office.

The firm, which has over 35 attorneys, also has locations in Columbus and Lexington, Kentucky.

“My work is a continuation of what I’ve done most of my career, but perhaps a bit more expansive,” said Ambrose Rubright.

“I had handled government matters in Summit County now I will be doing so in a broad spectrum of counties around the state.”

The firm represents municipalities, boards of education, social service agencies, healthcare professionals and others in a wide variety of areas ranging from insurance, business and commercial, civil rights and municipal law to medical malpractice, data management and cybersecurity.

In an email Mazanec, Raskin & Ryder President and Managing Partner Joseph F. Nicholas, Jr., said Ambrose Rubright’s “wealth of experience in handling various types of municipal matters made her a perfect fit for our governmental liability practice.

“Patricia will have a very active docket in a relatively short period of time. Her experience as Akron law director was very important to us. She will also be invaluable in helping to train our young associates in the practice group.”

Born and raised in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania Ambrose Rubright received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from West Virginia University and her juris doctor from The University of Akron School of Law.

She began her career as an assistant criminal prosecutor for the City of Akron, later moving over to the civil division as an assistant law director, where she primarily handled federal litigation in the employment and civil rights arena.

Beginning in 2008, Ambrose Rubright also served as deputy mayor for labor relations and personnel director.

“I wore the hat of personnel director when the city went through a dire financial situation in 2008,” said Ambrose Rubright. “A number of individuals agreed to voluntarily separate from the city. It was a very difficult, heart-breaking time.”

Her role as deputy mayor for labor relations ended in May 2013.

At the start of April 2015, Ambrose Rubright took the reins as law director after the city’s first female law director Cheri Cunningham retired.

She continued to serve as personnel director and law director until Jan. 3, 2016. Mayor Dan Horrigan chose to appoint a new law director. Former 9th District Court of Appeals Judge Eve Belfance now serves in the position.

“I decided it was time to venture out in a different direction,” said Ambrose Rubright. “I had some acquaintances at Mazanec, Raskin & Ryder and I knew it was a reputable firm.

“The people here have been incredibly welcoming. I am still making the transition into private practice,” said Ambrose Rubright. “It’s definitely a different experience. In my role in Akron, you never knew what the day would bring. Private practice is a bit more predictable.”


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