The Academy was founded in 1989 by the late Leo C. DiEgidio, who had taught school for some years before entering the practice of law. Leo had concluded that many of the CLE classes then available were not relevant to the few remaining small-office practitioners, who encounter a wide variety of legal issues of concern to the individuals, families, and small businesses which they serve. Leo began by presenting a series of Wednesday-evening, three-hour classes at locations in Cuyahoga and Summit Counties concerning traffic law, municipal zoning practice, real estate title issues, and similar legal topics which had not been the subject of nationally-sponsored presentations. The Academy has continued that purpose, and has engaged judges, magistrates, administrative hearing officers, and experienced private practitioners, to present a continuing series of three-hour presentations, each of which is approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio toward fulfilling an Ohio attorney's biennial requirement of continuing education.
Since 1994, the Academy has presented an annual week-long seminar, each of which have provided from fifteen to twenty hours of CLE, each seminar including the mandatory instruction in ethics and substance abuse, and beginning in 1998 including the mandatory instruction in "professional responsibility", presented by a member of the Committee on Grievances of the Cuyahoga County Bar Association.
The 1994 Seminar included presentations by Hon. Kenneth Spanagel, judge of the Parma Municipal Court and a member of the traffic law advisory committee to the Ohio Legislature, speaking on "developments in traffic law"; Hon. Joel Sacco, magistrate, Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Division, speaking on "property division methods"; James A. Draper, Esq., Cuyahoga County Public Defender, speaking on "criminal defense techniques"; Fred Weisman, Esq., speaking on "representation of the plaintiff in a medical malpractice claim"; Robert Steely, Esq., a member of the Grievance Committee of the Cuyahoga County Bar Association, speaking on the topics of "ethics" and "substance abuse"; and Leo C. DiEgidio, Esq., speaking on "client relations". It is believed by some that Mr. DiEgidio's 1994 presentation was one of the factors contributing to the Ohio Supreme Court's decision in 1997 to mandate "professionalism" instruction as part of each lawyer's Continuing Legal Education obligation. The 1994 Seminar was presented in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, November 12 - 19, including the Veterans Day holiday.
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The 1995 Seminar included presentations by Hon. Peggy Foley Jones, judge, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, speaking on "civil trial practice"; Judge Kenneth Spanagel, presenting a traffic law update focusing on the constitutional challenge to the then-current Ohio DUI law; Magistrate Joel Sacco, speaking on "amendments to the child support law"; Mary Kaye Bozza, Esq., speaking on "workers compensation procedures"; and Mr. Robert Steely on "ethics" and "substance abuse". The 1995 Seminar was presented in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, November 3 - 13, again including the Veterans Day holiday. The photograph shows Academy members Guy Bozza (partially obscured by specimen of local fauna) and Christopher Mallin (partially obscured by bronzed beach boy.) |
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The 1996 Seminar included presentations by Hon. Stuart Saferin, judge, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, speaking on the topic of "criminal sentencing"; Judge Peggy Jones, speaking on "jury selection"; Judge Kenneth Spanagel, who moderated a criminal trial practice presentation; Joseph Gambino, Esq., prosecuting attorney for the City of Strongsville, speaking on practice before municipal courts and city boards and commissions; and Mr. Steely, speaking on "ethics" and "substance abuse". The 1996 Seminar was presented in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, November 15 - 25. The photograph shows Academy members Mark Stefan and Chris Mallin (partially obscured by specimen of local fauna). |
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The 1997 Seminar included presentations by Ann Weatherhead,
magistrate,Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Division, speaking on
"Amendments to Ohio Revised Code 3113.215, Child Support Guidelines";
David Cullis, Esq., speaking on "1996-97 Amendments to Federal Income
Taxation of Small Business and Self-Employed"; Gerald Patronite,
Esq., speaking on "Ohio Real Estate Contracts"; Christopher Mallin,
Esq., speaking on "Defense of Charges of DUI and DUS"; and Mr.
Steely, on "ethics" and "substance abuse". The 1997 Seminar was
presented at the Qualton resort
in Puerto Vallarta,
Jalisco, Mexico, November 9 - 19, again including the Veterans Day
holiday.
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The 1998 Seminar included presentations by Hon. Burt W. Griffin, judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas, member of the advisory committee on criminal sentencing to the Ohio Legislature, and co-author of West Group's Ohio Felony Sentencing Law , speaking on "criminal sentencing procedures"; Michael Lepp, former Administrative Law Judge, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and author of sections of Baldwin's Ohio Administrative Practice, speaking on "administrative agency practice"; George Wertz, former referee, Summit County Probate Court, speaking on "problems in small estates"; and Mr. Steely, speaking on the newly-required topic of "professionalism" in addtion to "ethics" and "substance abuse". The 1998 Seminar was presented November 7 to 14 at the Iberostar Tucan resort in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Some members of the Academy took the opportunity to become acquainted with aspects of Maya culture, through the good offices of Sr. Hilario Hiler to whom we were introduced by Akumal On Line.
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The 1999 Seminar included presentations by Corey Frost, magistrate of the Domestic Relations Division of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas speaking on "Domestic Relations - Post-decree Enforcement of Property Division and Hold-Harmless Orders"; Patricia Conti, magistrate of the Foreclosure Department of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas presenting "Foreclosure and Quiet Title Proceedings"; Saul Eisen, senior trustee of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio; , speaking on "Bankruptcy Procedures Affecting Foreclosure and Divorce Obligations"; Mr. Robert Steely on "ethics"; and Mr. David Lehman of OLAP on "substance abuse". The 1999 Seminar was presented in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, November 6 - 13, again including the Veterans Day holiday. |
Speakers Magistrate Conti. Trustee Eisen (front), Mr. Steely, Magistrate Frost, and Mr. Lehman (back). |
The 2000 Seminar included presentations by Hon. James L. Kimbler, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Medina County, speaking on "Felony DUI Procedures" ; Magistrate Jeff Williams of the Knox County Juvenile Court on "Juvenile DUI Procedures and Disposition Alternatives"; Judge Mary Kaye Bozza of the Lyndhurst Municipal Court on "Municipal Court Adjudication of Bureau of Motor Vehicles Administrative Proceedings, and Disposition Alternatives"; a panel discussion of "Constitutional Issues in Traffic Stops - Self-Incrimination and Search Issues"; and Mr. Robert Steely on "ethics", "professionalism", and "substance abuse". The 2000 Seminar was presented in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, November 11 - 18.
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The 2001 Seminar included presentations by Hon. James L. Kimbler, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Medina County, and Joyce Kimbler, counsel for Nationwide Insurance, speaking on "Ohio Uninsured Motorist Litigation"; Judge Lori Pittman of the Portage County Municipal Court on "Ohio Traffic Law Update"; and Mr. Robert Steely on "ethics", "professionalism", and "substance abuse". The 2000 Seminar was presented in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, November 10 - 17. |
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The 2002 Seminar included presentations by Hon. Laurie J. Pittman, judge of the Portage County Municipal Court, Magistrate Diane M. Palos of the Division of Domestic Relations of Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, and Susan M. Weaver, Esq, who presented aspects of domestic violence litigation from the criminal, domestic relations, and alternative resolution perspectives. Mr. Robert Steely presented "ethics", "professionalism", and "substance abuse". The 2002 Seminar was presented in Quintana Roo, Mexico, November 11 - 18. |
Academy Registrar Jean Brandt and friends in cultural research at Chichen Itza. |
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The 2003 Seminar included "Traffic Felonies and Administrative Appeals in the Court of Common Pleas", presented by Hon. James L. Kimbler, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Medina County,"SB 123 and HB 490- Ohio's 2004 Traffic and Misdemeanor Sentencing Law, with Case Law Update", presented by Hon. Kenneth R. Spanagel, Judge of the Parma Municipal Court; "Pretrial Procedures, Alternative Sentencing, and Special Circumstances Concerning Non-Resident Defendants", presented by Hon Frederick C. Hany II, Judge of the Ottawa County Municipal Court; and Mr. Robert Steely on "ethics" and "professionalism" and Mr. David Lehman of OLAP on "substance abuse". The 2003 Seminar was presented in Guanajuato, Costa Rica, November 8 - 15. |
Academic co-ordinator Christopher Mallin with specimen of local fauna, |
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The 2004 Seminar included "Pretrial Sanctions in the Municipal Court", presented by Hon. Carla Moore, judge of the Akron Municipal Court; "Pretrial Sanctions in the Court of Common Pleas", presented by Magistrate Kelli Perk of the Portage County Court of Common Pleas; and "Blakely's Consequences for Ohio Sentencing Law", presented by John Martin, chief appellate counsel of the Cuyahoga County Public Defender. Mr. Robert Steely presented "ethics", "professionalism", and "substance abuse". The 2004 Seminar was presented at Ixtapa, Guerrero, Mexico, November 6 - 13.
Academic co-ordinator Christopher Mallin, Judge Carla Moore, Magistrate Kelli Perk, John Martin, Esq. |
The 2005 Seminar was disrupted by Hurricane Wilma, which closed the proposed seminar site in Playa del Carmen the week before classes were to be presented. The seminar was held in Richfield, Ohio, on the topic "Estate Planning for the Working Class".with presentations by Richard Gedeon, magistrate of the Probate Court of Cuyahoga County, Gerald Patronite, Esq., and Certified Long-Term Care Counselor Karen Rosenthal.
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The 2006 Seminar topic was "Immigration and Foreign Language Issues in State Courts" including "Municipal Court Update", presented by Hon. Kenneth R. Spanagel, judge of the Parma Municipal Court; "Non-English Language Issues", presented by Hon. Diane Vettori of the Mahoning County Court; and "Bail Bond Procedures and Immigration Bond Requirements", presented by Mary Smith, vice-president of the Ohio Bail Bond Association. Judge Spanagel also presented "Ohio Rules of Profesional Conduct", "Professionalism in Client Communication under the Rules of Professional Conduct" was presented by academic co-ordinator Christopher Mallin, Esq. The 2006 Seminar was presented at Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, November 11 - 18. |
Academic co-ordinator Christopher Mallin and member Kevin Rumes in cultural research at the Malecon, Puerto Vallarta. (photo by Lisa Rumes) |
