Login | May 27, 2025
Longtime Akron attorney lands a new spot at the Ohio State Bar Association
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: September 7, 2012
Since becoming an attorney over 30 years ago, Akron native Michael Stith has worn many legal hats, allowing him to help clients and improve the law at the same time.
As a solo practitioner, he focuses on construction and engineering cases, but his legal endeavors expand way beyond his practice. He also works tirelessly to help the country’s armed forces veterans and is an active member of the Ohio State Bar Association.
Recently, he added even more to his plate, taking the reigns as chair of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the Ohio State Bar Association on July 1, and becoming Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Department of Ohio in late June.
“I’ve known Mike for about 7 years,” said Arnon W. Cool, president of the Summit County Veterans Service Commission. “We are both lifetime members of the Disabled American Veterans Department of Ohio.
“I would trust my life to Mike. He is honest, and has been a steadfast supporter of veterans. As a lawyer he has helped us inside and outside of the organization.”
“I am greatly concerned about disabled veterans, and the widows and dependents of those who have lost loved ones in the military,” said Stith. “I want to assist them as much as possible.”
Indeed Stith’s legal roots date back to the military. In 1967, Congressman William Ayres appointed him to U.S. Military Academy at West Point. After graduating with a degree in engineering, he joined the 82nd Airborne Division as an Airborne Ranger, but was reassigned from a combat arms position to brigade legal officer in 1973 due to an injury.
Although he did not yet hold a law degree, the new position required him to be responsible for the administration of a criminal justice system that handled about 3,000 service men and women, the largest in the 82nd Airborne.
“According to the Army manual for Courts-Martial, any officer can hold that position,” said Stith.
“I did not want to be taken out of Combat Arms, and I held out as long as I could. Finally a Colonel ordered me to take the legal officer position. I spent three years in the spot,” said Stith, who admitted he enjoyed the work. “I went as far as I could go without a law degree, which I was encouraged to get, so I left and went back to Akron and got my law degree.”
Since his graduation from The University of Akron School of Law in 1979, Stith has served as an attorney for The Babcock & Wilcox Company, a manufacturer of industrial boilers and associated equipment for electrical generation facilities and other utility purposes, general counsel for The Ruhlin Company, a provider of highway/heavy and commercial construction services to public and private enterprises, and general counsel for the Summit County Engineer.
“I was the last general counsel on Summit County’s payroll,” Stith said. “During the time I was working as general counsel for other companies, I was also in private practice, but did not do it full time. For the last four years, I have been in private practice exclusively.”
Stith is certified to practice before all Ohio courts as well as before The United States Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He also serves as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, Construction Industry Arbitration Tribunal.
Over the years, he has held different positions at the Ohio State Bar Association. When appointed to the Intellectual Property Section, he was the chair of the Construction Law Committee.
“Mike has served in this section in the past, and was chair of the Construction Law Committee,” said Judge Patrick Fischer, President of the Ohio State Bar Association. “He has the experience, knowledge and leadership ability that we are looking for.
“He has been a member for years giving of his time on a pro bono basis. His work in the Intellectual Property Section will entail drafting and proposing legislation for the General Assembly, and testifying before the General Assembly about legislation.”
“His other goal will be to increase membership,” Fischer said. “Although the position is for one year, most people are reappointed to a second year.”
“I did similar work on the Construction Law Committee,” said Stith. “That committee helped determine what laws would benefit the state’s construction industry. It’s the same for the Intellectual Property Law Section, where we recently considered changes to Ohio’s version of the Uniform Commercial Code, which imposes patent and other intellectual property right warranty requirements of which sellers are not reasonably aware. We recommended changes.”
Stith said the Patent Reform Act of 2011 will implement changes that the bar association has concluded would hurt small businesses.
“Prior to the Act, the rules were the first person to invent a product would receive the patent. When it takes effect, it will be the first person that files with the patent office. We are concerned that big business will beat the small inventor in a race to file first.
“The work the bar association does is very important, because it provides a voice to propose, oppose and influence legislation, whereas I as a patent attorney, would not get nearly as much attention,” Stith said.
“I enjoy what I do. I especially like the complexity involved in my practice areas. Many attorneys avoid this work. I see it as a puzzle where all the pieces come together.”
While he finds his private practice very fulfilling, Stith said he is most proud of the work he has done to help veterans.
“For instance, ten years ago, I represented a Korean War veteran who had lost the vision in his right eye. His claim before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was denied in 1953. He was told there was nothing wrong with him.
“I filed to reverse that decision in the late 90s. After several denials, I got him to the Cleveland Clinic, where the doctor not only confirmed the trauma he had suffered, but also corrected his vision, giving him right eye vision for the first time since the 1950s. The doctor’s confirmation also led to a VA grant of the veteran’s claim.
“I’ve won a lot of claims in my life, many that involved substantial financial rewards, but that was the first time I ever won a man his eyesight back. I am now representing another veteran in a similar matter.”
“Mike is the hardest working guy I’ve ever met,” said Donna Stith, his wife of 34 years. “We often talk about how many people need help, especially now because of the economy.
“He hasn’t taken a vacation in a long time. I’m very proud of him. We share the same values; he is dedicated to our family, and has always been there for our four children. Two of them recently graduated. We have two more in the tunnel, and a new grandson. It has been a real privilege, I would not want to be married to anyone else.”