Login | September 10, 2024
Judge Jennifer Towell to receive Woman of Achievement Award
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: August 9, 2024
A former lieutenant in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps, Summit County Court of Common Pleas General Division Judge Jennifer Towell has dedicated much of her career to public service, giving back to the community in numerous ways over the years, including starting a local chapter of a national program for children and young adults with Down syndrome.
One of 10 female judges on the common pleas bench, her efforts have earned her a number of accolades, including one from the Greater Akron Chamber, which honored her with a 30 for the Future award in 2013.
Now the Women’s Network Leadership Institute (WNLI) at the Greater Akron Chamber has selected her as this year’s recipient of its Woman of Achievement Award.
The accolade pays tribute to a professional woman who has gone beyond her own accomplishments to encourage success among women, breaking down barriers, mentoring others, taking risks to overcome obstacles and supporting the progress of women.
“I was very surprised and thrilled when I learned the news,” said Judge Towell, who will receive the award on Aug. 29 during the WNLI’s Women of Achievement luncheon, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sheraton Suites on Front Street in Cuyahoga Falls.
The Women’s Network Leadership Institute works to promote gender equity, encourages females to become leaders and connects professional women in the workplace.
The WNLI’s annual Women of Achievement event recognizes female leaders and organizations that have made an impact.
In addition to Judge Towell, Marcela Castaño, Bridgestone Americas principal applied researcher in sustainable materials and circular economy, will be presented with the Laura Allio Emerging Leader Award and Summa Health will receive the Dorothy O. Jackson Award.
Recipients of all three were nominated by their peers and selected by a panel of community and business leaders.
“Summit County has so many female leaders and to be recognized among them by my peers is truly an honor,” said Judge Towell. “I plan to continue my advocacy and support of women in every aspect of their life journeys.”
Summit County Common Pleas Court Administrative Judge Alison McCarty congratulated Judge Towell on the honor.
“The court is very pleased to acknowledge Judge Towell in her receipt of this award,” said Judge McCarty. “She has been a wonderful addition to the court.
“We have an extremely accomplished group of women serving on our bench and it is always gratifying to see our community recognize one of them.”
Born in Alliance, Nebraska, Judge Towell received her bachelor’s degree in English secondary education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and her juris doctorate from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
She was sworn in as a Navy JAG Corps officer while a rising 3L.
After earning her juris doctorate in 2000, she underwent a variety of training, including JAG School in Newport, Rhode Island and aboard the USS Laboon (DDG 58) in Norfolk, Virginia, before arriving at her duty station at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington D.C.
Judge Towell served as a Naval Legal Service officer from 2001-2004, earning several awards for her service, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Pistol Sharpshooter Ribbon.
While stationed in Washington, D.C. she also met her husband Thomas J. Towell, co-owner of Dave Towell Cadillac in Akron.
Upon completing her placement in D.C., she moved to Akron and started as an associate at Brouse McDowell.
From 2007 to 2011, she worked for LexisNexis, first as an e-discovery consultant and later as director of e-discovery affairs.
After taking time off to raise her three children, she was hired as a visiting magistrate at Akron Municipal Court in August 2019.
In late December 2019 she was promoted to small claims magistrate.
It was a part-time assignment with Judge Towell splitting her time on the bench with then Magistrate Kani H. Hightower, now a Summit County Domestic Relations Court judge.
When former Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Amy Corrigall Jones stepped down from the bench in August 2022 to explore other opportunities, Judge Towell was nominated by the Democratic Central Committee to run for the unexpired term, which ends at the end of 2024.
Judge Towell, who started on Dec. 8, 2022, is now running for a full term on the common pleas court in the November election.
A member of the Akron and Ohio State bar associations, Judge Towell was a member of the 2021-2022 Ohio State Bar Foundation Fellows Class.
She’s also a recent graduate of Leadership Akron Signature Class 40.
She said she’s passionate about mentoring young women to become future attorneys and has hosted more than 10 high school and college students this summer alone as interns in her courtroom, where she provides them the opportunity to sit in on criminal call days and trials.
Judge Towell currently serves on the Akron Bar Association Bench-Bar Conference Planning Committee, the Ohio State Bar Foundation Grants Committee and the Ohio Judicial Conference Legislative Committee.
She is also a member of the Summit County Child Fatality Review Board and a lector at St. Hilary Parish in Fairlawn, where she serves on the parent advisory board of St. Hilary School and is a former president of the St. Hilary Parent Association.
Judge Towell recently completed 10 years of service as the Akron area coordinator of Buddy Up Tennis, which offers adaptive tennis and fitness programs to children and young adults with Down syndrome.
She started the Akron chapter of the national program in 2014.
Two years later, Judge Towell received the Northeast Ohio Tennis Association Community Service Award for her work with the organization.
Judge Towell said her work at Buddy Up Tennis Akron was very rewarding.
“Providing an inclusive, fun and health-focused opportunity for all individuals with Down syndrome has been one of the most rewarding things I have had the honor of being involved in,” said Judge Towell. “I enjoyed working with all of the high school volunteers and giving them the opportunity to develop a better understanding of and compassion for people with disabilities.”
She is currently the cookie manager for her daughter Lucille’s Brownie Troop No. 91109 and has given presentations to numerous Girl Scout troops to help them earn their citizen badges.
In 2022, Judge Towell was among a select group of recipients to receive a Women of Distinction award from the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio.
She was also presented with the President’s Award from the Junior League of Akron in 2009.
Judge Towell was the 2022 keynote speaker at the Summit County Board of Developmental Disabilities All Agency annual meeting and was featured on GMA3 (Good Morning America) in 2021 as a result of her Down syndrome advocacy.
“I view myself as a servant leader,” said Judge Towell. “In this role I feel responsible for mentoring other women, advocating for individuals with disabilities and speaking up for military veterans.
“I try to live by the words of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you. It is an honor to serve the citizens of Summit County as a common pleas judge and I hope to continue the privilege of serving in this role.
“My ongoing career goal is to serve the county and fellow citizens of Ohio in the capacity where I can make the biggest difference,” she said.
Tickets for the luncheon are $55 for members and $65 for nonmembers. For more information, visit https://members.greaterakronchamber.org/events/Womenof%20Achievement-3290/details.