Attorney
Irving B. Sugerman Of Counsel
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- Biography
Irv’s practice focuses on representing governmental entities, developers, and individuals in land use, zoning, public law, and economic development matters. He is also an experienced litigator and appellate lawyer, and a trained mediator. He currently serves as the Law Director for Coventry Township and the City of New Franklin, general counsel to the Summit County Public Health District, and special counsel to the City of Barberton. In the past, he has represented numerous other political subdivisions in a wide variety of administrative and litigation matters. Irv is especially proud of his work in intergovernmental relations, including the establishment of the first Joint Economic Development Districts in the State of Ohio, and several regional Councils of Government.
Irv has been named a Super Lawyer in the area of Land Use and Zoning law from 2009 to 2024, a Best Lawyers in America® in Land Use and Zoning Law and Municipal Law from 2012 to 2025, and the Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in Municipal Law in Akron in 2022 and in Real Estate Law in Akron in 2024.
Irv served as the adjunct professor of negotiations at the University of Akron School of Law for many years, earning the John Quine Outstanding Adjunct Professor Award in 2012. He is also a frequent lecturer in the areas of public law, negotiations, and attorney substance abuse recovery and well-being.
- Professional & Civic Activities
- Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Board of Directors, Executive Committee
- County of Summit Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board, Board of Directors
- Andrea Rose Teodosio Foundation, Board of Directors
- Stewart's Caring Place Cancer Wellness Center, Past President
- University of Akron School of Law, Adjunct Professor of Negotiations, 2002-2016
- Akron Bar Association, Board of Trustees
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Akron Bar Association Foundation, Fellow
- Bath Township Zoning Commission
- Jewish Community Board of Akron, Past President
- Ohio Jewish Communities, Government Affairs Committee, Past President
- Shaw Jewish Community Center, Past President
- Articles & Presentations
- "Beware of Executive Session Litigation: You Could Be Next!!," Co-speaker with Craig S. Horbus, Jarman J. Smith, and Matthew G. Vansuch, Summit County Law Directors Lunch and Learn, Akron, Ohio (December 6, 2022)
- Code Enforcement, Ordinances, & Zoning Training" Seminar, City of Green (January 19, 2022)
- "Trustees Examine, Eventually OK Development Memorandum," Media Mention, Akron.com (June 10, 2021)
- “Valuation & Compensation” Akron Bar Association Live Interactive CLE (September 2, 2020)
- “BZA Hearings: What Could Go Wrong?” Co-Speaker with Matthew Vansuch, Ohio Township Association’s Winter Conference and Trade Show, Columbus, Ohio (February 5-8, 2020)
- "Dispute Resolution," Brouse McDowell Business Minutes (February 19, 2016)
- Representative Engagements
- Served as general counsel to the Chapter 7 Trustee in In re: Arter & Hadden, a now defunct 160 year old Cleveland law firm that declared bankruptcy in 2004. In that capacity, served as lead counsel in over 140 adversary proceedings against former clients of Arter & Hadden, and in all adversary litigation involving the firm's secured lenders. Secured an $11 million dollar settlement against the former partners of Arter & Hadden, and their insurance carriers.
- Secured zoning approval for an Amazon Last Mile facility in a Summit County Township.
- Secured zoning approval for a cellular tower in the City of Akron.
- Represented a consortium of insurance companies in the successful defense of a complex multi-million dollar legal malpractice claim in the US District Court, Norther District of Ohio.
- Served as co-counsel in a successful defense of NBA star LeBron James in a $15 million dollar lawsuit in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas.
- Negotiated the first Joint Economic Development Districts in the State of Ohio with the City of Akron on behalf of Coventry and Springfield Townships.
- Negotiated a significant settlement in legal malpractice claims on behalf of the heirs of a deceased billionaire against a northeast Ohio law firm.
- Obtained a multi-million dollar settlement for a trust beneficiary in litigation in the Summit County Probate Court.
- Obtained a $500,000 judgment in an environmental claim against the former owners of a dry-cleaning establishment in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas.
- Represented Summit County Metro Parks in successful litigation and administrative proceedings in the US District Court and before the Sixth and District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, successfully defeating efforts to construct a hydro-electric plant in the Gorge Metro Park.
- Martin v. Design Construction ‒ Served as co-counsel in a case decided by the Ohio Supreme Court which established the measure of damages in a breach of contract suit by a homeowner against a contractor. The Supreme Court unanimously reversed a decision by the Ninth District Court of Appeals decision in a victory for homeowners and consumers statewide.
- Copley Township v. Pearson ‒ Obtained a permanent injunction against the owner of over 90 exotic animals and coordinated the rescue and relocation of the animals to sanctuaries across the United States.
- State v. Brooks, 75 Ohio St. 3d 148 (1996) ‒ Represented Antonio Brooks in having his death sentence vacated by the Ohio Supreme Court.
- Successfully prevented a Dollar General store from locating in Coventry Township in the case of MSP Properties v. Coventry Township.
- Prevailed before Summit County Council on behalf of Richfield Township to prevent an annexation attempt by a neighboring community.
- Successfully defended the granting of a Motion to Dismiss a wrongful discharge claim brought by a former police officer in Haven v. Village of Lodi.
- Distinctions
- Named a Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" for Real Estate Law in Akron — 2024
- Named a Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" for Municipal Law in Akron — 2022
- The Best Lawyers in America© through a peer-review survey as listed in Commercial Litigation section — 2024-2025
- The Best Lawyers in America© through a peer-review survey as listed in the Real Estate Law section — 2017, 2019-2025
- The Best Lawyers in America© through a peer-review survey as listed in the Land Use and Zoning Law and Municipal Law sections — 2012-2025
- Ohio Super Lawyers® through a peer- and achievement-based review conducted by the research team at Super Lawyers, a service of Thomson Reuters legal division — 2009-2024
- John R. Quine Outstanding Adjunct Professor Award, University of Akron School of Law — 2012
- Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Commendation — 2005
- President’s Award, Shaw Jewish Community Center
- Isroff Young Leadership Award, Akron Jewish Community Federation
- Glauberman Leadership Award, Shaw Jewish Community Center
