Irving B. Sugerman

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 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. 

Experience

• 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 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 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

Services

• Public Law
• Public - Private Partnerships

1. The University of Akron School of Law, J.D.
2. Marietta College, B.A.

Bar Admissions

1. Ohio

Court Admissions

1. Supreme Court of Ohio
2. U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
3. U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia
4. U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio

• Named The Best Lawyers in America® Akron Real Estate "Lawyer of the Year" (2024) 
• Named The Best Lawyers in America® Akron "Lawyer of the Year" for Municipal Law (2022)
• Named The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation (2024-2025); Real Estate (2017, 2019-2025); Land Use and Zoning Law (2012-2025) and Municipal Law (2012-2025)
• Selected as an "Ohio Super Lawyer" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (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

Professional Affiliations

• 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 

Community Affiliations

• 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 
• Jewish Community Board of Akron, Past President 
• Ohio Jewish Communities, Government Affairs Committee, Past President 
• Shaw Jewish Community Center, Past President
• Bath Township Zoning Commission