We're proud to foster the Next Generation of Legal Excellence through The Perantinides & Nolan Leadership Academy presented by the Akron Bar Association.
What is the Perantinides & Nolan Leadership Academy?
The Perantinides & Nolan Leadership Academy presented by the Akron Bar Association, is an eight-month professional development program created in partnership with the Akron Bar Association. Its mission is to identify and cultivate future attorneys and judges in Summit County who demonstrate exceptional leadership, professionalism, and community stewardship. Supported by Perantinides & Nolan, Co., L.P.A., the 2025-2026 program is provided at absolutely no cost to accepted participants.
For over 50 years, Perantinides & Nolan, Co., L.P.A. has fought for justice on behalf of personal injury and medical malpractice victims in Northeast Ohio. But our commitment to justice extends beyond the courtroom. We believe that a fair, accessible, and compassionate legal system requires exceptional leaders.
That is why we are incredibly proud to sponsor the 2025-2026 Perantinides & Nolan Leadership Academy, an initiative of the Akron Bar Association designed to empower the emerging voices of Ohio’s legal community.
Why We Support the Leadership Academy
When the Akron Bar Association first formed a task force to address the needs of emerging lawyers, they identified a crucial gap: attorneys need focused training not just in the practice of law, but in the stewardship of their communities. At Perantinides & Nolan, we are guided by empathy, integrity, and civic responsibility. We wanted to ensure that any active, practicing attorney or magistrate with the drive to lead had the opportunity to learn—without financial barriers. By fully underwriting the Academy, we ensure that the program remains 100% free for all selected participants.
We view this as an investment in the future of the Summit County legal system. When our local attorneys are resilient, community-minded, and highly skilled in leadership, the citizens of Ohio are the ultimate beneficiaries.
Inside the 2025-2026 Curriculum
The Academy runs from October through June, featuring monthly, half-day sessions that take participants out of their standard daily practice and immerse them in the broader pillars of community impact.
The curriculum focuses heavily on self-discovery, wellness, and civic duty. Highlights of the 2025-2026 program include:
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Direct Mentorship: Paul G. Perantinides and Chris T. Nolan were among the presenters in the inaugural session, sharing insights from decades of high-stakes litigation and community advocacy.
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Community Board Service: Participants learn from local non-profit leaders—including executives from the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and Business Volunteers Unlimited—on how to use their legal skills to serve on charitable boards and build public trust.
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Attorney Resiliency & Well-Being: The legal profession is notoriously high-stress. The Academy brings in experts from the Center for Immersive Leadership to teach strategies for long-term mental health and wellness.
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Specialty Courts & Trauma-Informed Law: Attendees gain firsthand knowledge from local judges operating Mental Health, Valor, and Drug Courts, learning how to address the unique needs of citizens experiencing secondary trauma.
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Public Service: Workshops feature local civic leaders, providing attorneys with an overview of how to ethically run for public office and effect systemic change.
A Call to Emerging Leaders
To the current class of the Perantinides & Nolan Leadership Academy: We are honored to welcome you. The practice of law is a privilege, and using that privilege to protect the vulnerable and uphold democratic ideals is our highest calling.
If you are an active member of the Akron Bar Association and are interested in applying for future iterations of the Academy, we encourage you to reach out to the Bar Association to learn more about the nomination process.