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Roderick Linton Belfance adds more legal power
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: December 12, 2019
Adding more attorney power is always helpful when providing quality service to clients, but if the lawyer hired is seasoned and brings along an experienced team, it’s even more beneficial for the firm.
That’s exactly what occurred when public law attorney Alfred E. Schrader joined Roderick Linton Belfance as a partner.
Schrader, together with his administrative assistant, Sue Heimbaugh, and law clerks David Randolph and Daniel Hovatter, both 3Ls at Akron Law, all began working at the firm on Nov. 1.
“Our public sector law group was already well equipped to provide services to our clients,” said Roderick Linton Belfance Managing Partner William Chris. “Al is enhancing the group’s capabilities.
“He is a consummate professional, who works very hard and is courteous to everyone,” Chris said. “The transition of Al and his team to Roderick was seamless, and while it was a great place to work before, it is even a better place with their addition.”
“I’ve spent most of my lengthy career as a solo practitioner and I am looking forward to collaborating with this group of attorneys, who are highly regarded in the community,” said Schrader.
“This is the first time I have ever been a partner at a law firm,” Schrader said. “It is an adjustment, but I believe that my clients will benefit from this arrangement. Now if I am on vacation, I know they will be well taken care of. And, because of the depth of expertise the firm offers, I will be able to refer clients in need of other services to my partners and focus exclusively on public law.”
Born in Springfield Township, Ohio, Schrader received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Kent State University in 1975.
In January 1974, he began serving on the Springfield Township Board of Trustees (Summit County, Ohio), an elected position that he continued to hold until December 2001. Schrader was later appointed to fill an unexpired term on the Summit County Council. He represented District 8 and served from Oct. 2003 through Dec. 2004.
Schrader obtained his juris doctorate from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 1978. He began his career as an associate at Neman & Graves, where attorney Jim Graves, former chief assistant law director for the city of Akron, helped train him in public law.
About 10 years later, he started his own practice at Wolf Ledges Parkway, where he primarily focused on local government law issues.
Schrader has served as special counsel to cities, villages, counties and townships throughout Ohio. He has been the law director for Canfield and East Union townships and currently holds the position in Twinsburg, Chippewa, Eaton and Polk townships.
He is also the legal counsel for the Twinsburg Township Water District and the Twinsburg Township-Village of Reminderville Joint Economic Development District.
A longtime member of the Ohio State and Akron bar associations, Schrader completed a three-year term on the Akron Bar Association Board of Trustees in 2018 and was both chair and co-chair of the Commission on Judicial Candidates. He also chaired the grievance committee, of which he is still a member.
In 2015, he received an Akron Bar Association appreciation award for his 14 years of service on the grievance committee and was the 2018 recipient of the bar association’s Liberty Bell Award.
He is a life member of the Akron and Ohio State bar foundations.
Schrader is currently treasurer and president-elect of the Scanlon/Bell Inn of Court in Akron.
In addition, he was a longtime member of the OTARMA (Ohio Township Association Risk Management Authority) Board of Directors, where he served as secretary and president.
From 1982-2002, Schrader was on the executive committee of the Summit County Township Association. He recently completed a five-year term as president of the Sturgeon Point Homeowners (condos) Association in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio.
Schrader lives in Springfield Township with his wife Debra. He has two stepsons and four grandchildren. Several years ago, the couple adopted a Schipperke Pomeranian rescue dog named Cole.
“He is full of energy and helps keep us young,” said Schrader.
“During my career I’ve represented local governments in over half of Ohio’s 88 counties,” he said. “I’ve argued before many different courts, including the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
“I really enjoy what I do and it has been interesting to visit so many different courthouses.”
Schrader said he plans to spend the next phase of his career helping to educate and encourage a new generation of Akron lawyers.
“The partners and associates at Roderick Linton Belfance (RLB) have long been committed to excellent service to our clients and the profession,” said Schrader. “I hope I can help RLB continue that tradition and even grow the number of excellent attorneys in the firm.
“I enjoy the practice of law and genuinely like my clients,” he said. “I believe joining RLB will help me continue to serve my clients for many years to come.”