Login | June 26, 2025
First annual Lawyers Car Show held in June
Akron Bar Foundation President and mediator Doug Godshall brought his 2008 Porsche Boxster to the Lawyers Car Show. His six-year-old grandson Thomas is pictured here with the car. (Photo courtesy of Doug Godshall).
Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Jennifer Towell and her husband Thomas, co-owner of Dave Towell Cadillac brought one of their favorite collectibles to the Lawyers Car Show, a 1968 Black Convertible Cadillac Deville. Thomas is pictured here in the driver’s seat together with their son Tommy and Judge Towell. Their daughter Lucy is in the back seat (left) along with their son Joey. (Photo courtesy of Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Jennifer Towell).
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: July 21, 2023
It was a day to let your vehicle shine as the Akron Bar Association Senior Lawyers Committee held its first annual Lawyers Car Show on Saturday, June 17.
The event kicked off at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of Perantinides & Nolan Co., with attorneys showcasing everything from Corvettes to Cadillacs, some dating back to the 1930s and ‘40s.
The show, which was organized by attorney and Senior Lawyers Committee Chair Don Hicks and several bar association staff members, including Deborah Poland, Erika Brown and Beverly Sherrard, attracted dozens of attendees.
“Akron has a deep connection to the American automotive industry,” said Hicks.
“Harvey Firestone’s granddaughter Martha married Henry Ford’s grandson William Clay Ford in Akron in 1947,” said Hicks. “In a few short years, Akron blossomed into a city that was known around the world. Akron’s also the home of the Soap Box Derby so in many ways this car show pays tribute to our history.”
The event was held the day before Father’s Day and featured 21 distinct vehicles owned, and in many cases, driven regularly by Summit County legal professionals.
While spectators couldn’t drive them, they were able to sit inside or get an up-close look under the hoods.
Exhibitors paid $25 per car, with the proceeds benefiting the senior lawyers committee.
“It was a nice gathering on a beautiful day,” said Hicks. “In the aftermath of the pandemic, it was great to get together, talk about cars and spend time with others who we hadn't seen in a long time.”
“I thought it was a great idea,” said Perantinides. “Any time lawyers can get together in an in-person setting I think it’s a good thing. There’s no substitute for physical exchanges. We used to gather for CLE courses, but with so many of those now online, it’s important to create opportunities to build camaraderie.
“This is going to be an annual event and I think it will get bigger and better each year.”
Akron attorney and collector Kerry O’Brien brought three of his nine antique cars to the show, including his 1937 Packard Eight Rumble Seat Convertible, 1947 Mercury Woodie Station Wagon and 1959 Corvette Convertible.
“I’ve been a car collector for approximately 30 years,” said O’Brien, who focuses on criminal defense and divorce matters. “I have two large garages on my property that hold all nine of my vehicles.
“Exhibiting and collecting cars is my way of maintaining automotive history,” said O’Brien. “The cars from the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s would be referred to as the Golden Age in automotive design.
“Beyond giving collectors a chance to get together, it was an opportunity for the general public to see how automotive design has progressed over the years,” said O’Brien. “It’s a look back in history.”
For Akron Bar Foundation President and mediator Doug Godshall the show was a chance to showcase and drive his 2008 Porsche Boxster while seeing old friends and enjoying a day out with his family.
“It was great,” said Godshall. “My daughter and her family came to the show and we went out to lunch afterward.
“My 6-year-old grandson Thomas really loved seeing all the cars,” said Godshall. “This is the second Porsche that I’ve owned; I wish I had more of them. They are fun sports cars and I drive this one all the time during the summer.”
Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Jennifer Towell and her husband Thomas, co-owner of Dave Towell Cadillac brought one of their favorite collectibles to the show, a 1968 Black Convertible Cadillac Deville.
“Our family owns a total of four antique Cadillacs,” said Judge Towell. “We store them all at the dealership and bring them out for special events and occasions.”
She said next year they plan to bring additional antique Cadillacs, including the 1963 White Convertible Cadillac they used on their wedding day in 2004.
“The white convertible is the same make and model of the convertible Cadillac used by Tom's parents, Dave and Ann Towell for their wedding.”
Like Godshall, they made it a family affair, bringing their three children along with them.
“It was a fun day for us,” said Judge Towell. “We walked around, talked to all the owners and checked out the cars. I’m looking forward to helping promote the event next year to make it even bigger.”
There was also a 1985 Red Saab 900 Turbo Coupe, courtesy of Robert Incorvati, court administrator at Barberton Municipal Court.
“I’ve owned Saabs for about 36 years,” said Incorvati. “I have a real affinity toward them, especially the old 900 Turbos. I’ve refurbished several over the years.
“My other Saab is a 1993 900 Black Commemorative Edition convertible,” said Incorvati. “It was the last year the cars were purely Swedish. In 1994 General Motors, which owned a controlling interest in the company, began platform sharing with other manufacturers.
“I decided to bring the ‘85, which has 250,000 miles on it because it’s what’s referred to as the Classic 900--a hard top coupe, which you don’t see much of. It’s in great condition and has won awards at past national Saab owners conventions. It’s just a lot of fun to drive and it’s a very different driving experience due to the company’s airplane manufacturing heritage.”
Incorvati said the Akron Bar Association Lawyers Car Show was a “wonderful event to bring the car to. So many different makes, models and eras were represented, each one of them distinct and beautiful in their own right.
“It was a wonderful turnout of both cars and car enthusiasts. I understand the event will continue and I hope it does,” said Incorvati.