Lewis W. Adkins, Jr.

Shareholder, Shareholder-in-Charge of Development & Practice Integration, Roetzel Consulting Solutions President
Cleveland
1375 East Ninth Street
One Cleveland Center, 10th Floor
Cleveland, OH 44114
P 216.615.4842
F 216.623.0134
P 216.615.4842 | F 216.623.0134

Overview

Lewis leads the firm's client relations, marketing, and business development strategies in his role as Shareholder-in-charge of Development & Practice Integration. He is responsible for ensuring that the firm provides clients with a top-tier experience across all of the firm’s offices and services areas, from their first encounter through project completion.

In addition, Lewis serves as lead counsel to numerous large, public and private entities throughout Ohio and Washington, D.C. He also leads a large and diverse team of attorneys and lobbyists in the public law arena as President of Roetzel Consulting Solutions. His team represents our clients' interests before state legislatures, administrative agencies, and executive branches of state governments in providing legal and political solutions to important issues.

Lewis has also acted as lead counsel for several multi-million dollar development projects. His clients include public and private entities, as well as construction companies, engineering firms, financial institutions, diversified energy companies, governmental entities, housing authorities, and nonprofit organizations. Prior to assuming his current leadership role, Lewis led the Firm’s Public Law and Finance team as Practice Group Manager for over a decade. Additionally, he previously served as General Counsel to Summit County, Ohio and is currently General Counsel to Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc.

Experience
  • Serves as lead outside governmental relations counsel for Ohio's largest banking institution
  • Represents the Mid-West’s largest construction firm in negotiating several million dollar projects
  • Represents largest Ohio public hospital
  • Represents one of the country's oldest black theater companies
  • Helped develop a hundred million dollar Northeast Ohio energy project
  • Negotiated redevelopment of a large multiple unit apartment complex in Northeast Ohio
  • Participated in one of Ohio's largest hotel projects in the last twenty years
  • Lead a multiple million dollar public-private transfer of transit authority
  • Lead a $200 M large university campus redevelopment project
  • Lead a municipality for a significant Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) mandate on a federal level
  • Participated in a significant airport project in Northeast Ohio
  • Helped in the development of the Akron Urban League/City of Akron/County of Summit school project headquarters
  • Counseled client on numerous public/private projects collectively valued well over $100 million
  • Served as lead counsel for Ohio's largest community correction facility
  • Assisted in the site developed of the Cleveland Industrial Park
  • Assisted with the successful development of multiple units of affordable housing throughout Ohio
  • Counseled two of Ohio's largest school districts
  • Assisted with many public/private manufacturing site developments throughout Ohio
Services

Industries

Education

  1. The University of Akron School of Law, J.D.
  2. The City College of The City University of New York, B.S.
    • cum laude

Credentials

Bar Admissions
  1. Ohio
Court Admissions
  1. U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  2. U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Clerkships
  1. Judicial Clerk for The Honorable James R. Williams, Summit County Ohio Court of Common Pleas

Recognitions

  • University of Akron School of Law Outstanding Alumni Award (2023)
  • Summit County Children Services' (SCCS) Community Partner Award (2022) 
  • University of Akron School of Law, Commencement Speaker (2022)
  • University of Akron School of Law J. Dean Carro Professionalism Award from the Black Law Students Association (2015)
  • Case Western Reserve University CBC Louis Stokes Scholarship Reception (2012 & 2013)
  • Recipient of the City of Akron "Livability Award" for the collaborative spirit utilized by the Akron Urban League, Akron Public Schools and the City of Akron in building a Community Learning Center (2009)
  • Chaired U.S. Senator Brown's U.S. Marshal and U.S. Attorney Selection Committee for the Southern District of Ohio (2012)
  • Organized key reception at the 2012 Democratic National Convention
  • U.S. Senator Brown's U.S. Marshal and U.S. Attorney Ohio Selection Committee (2009)
  • Cleveland Foundation's Greater Cleveland American Marshall Memorial Fellowship (AMMF), Chair (2010-2011)
  • Cleveland Foundation's Greater Cleveland American Marshall Memorial Fellowship (AMMF), Selection Committee Member (2009)
  • The University of Akron, School of Law's "Judge James R. Williams" endowed scholarship, Creator
  • The University of Akron's "Dr. Sylvester Small, Superintendent, Akron Public Schools" endowed scholarship, Creator
  • Honorable Mayor Frank Jackson's Economic Development Transition Team, Member (2006)
  • Honorable Mayor Campbell's "Cleveland 500,000+ Partnership" program funded by the Cleveland Foundation, Team Leader (2003 & 2004)
  • Summit County Executive Tim Davis, General Counsel (1997-2000)
  • City of Akron, Prosecutor (1993-1994)

Affiliations

Professional Affiliations
  • Board of Directors of S&T Bancorp, Inc.
  • Chair, Board of Trustees of The University of Akron (June 2023- 2025)
    • Vice Chair (2021-2023)
    • Member (2017-2021)
  • Summa Health Finance Committee, Member (January 2021)
  • Akron Bar Association
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Diversity Action Committee
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Barrister's Association
Community Affiliations
  • Board of Trustees, Ideastream Public Media
  • The Nominating Committee, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce (November 2016–present)
  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
  • Akron Urban League, General Counsel and President (2000–2003)
  • Cleveland City Club
  • Cleveland Urban League
  • Summit County Consumer Affairs Board
  • Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
  • Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity
  • The National Democratic Club, Member, Washington D.C. (2013–present)
  • Firestone Country Club, Resident Member (2010-present)

Insights

  1. Alerts
    State Biennial Budget (HB33) Heads to Ohio Governor for Approval – Summary of Major Educational Changes (Jul 3, 2023)
    Section 504 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Expected August 2023 (Jun 27, 2023)
    Appeals Court Upholds School’s Right to Discipline Student for Off-Campus Speech (Jun 22, 2023)
    Clashing Times: Developments Concerning Transgender Student Athletes (Apr 10, 2023)
    New Ohio Law Impacting Indemnity in Public Works Design Contracts (Mar 31, 2023)
  2. Presentations
    "Navigating a Legal Career in a Changing Field" - Diversity & Inclusion Fair (2014)
    Orientation presentation: Ethics - The University of Akron, School of Law
    Featured Speaker - Storycorps, Akron Public Radio
    Multiple Jurisdiction Practice - The University of Akron School of Law
    United States Federal Reserve Bank, Cleveland
  3. Firm News
    Roetzel Positions Itself for the Future (Mar 20, 2023)
    Roetzel’s Lewis Adkins Served as Commencement Speaker for the University of Akron School of Law (May 20, 2022)
    Roetzel’s Reopening America Readiness Team Formed to Help Businesses Reopen (May 5, 2020)
    Roetzel Transitioning to Virtual Work Environment (Mar 16, 2020)
    Roetzel & Andress Expands Roetzel Consulting Solutions (Jul 17, 2017)

Overview

Lewis leads the firm's client relations, marketing, and business development strategies in his role as Shareholder-in-charge of Development & Practice Integration. He is responsible for ensuring that the firm provides clients with a top-tier experience across all of the firm’s offices and services areas, from their first encounter through project completion.

In addition, Lewis serves as lead counsel to numerous large, public and private entities throughout Ohio and Washington, D.C. He also leads a large and diverse team of attorneys and lobbyists in the public law arena as President of Roetzel Consulting Solutions. His team represents our clients' interests before state legislatures, administrative agencies, and executive branches of state governments in providing legal and political solutions to important issues.

Lewis has also acted as lead counsel for several multi-million dollar development projects. His clients include public and private entities, as well as construction companies, engineering firms, financial institutions, diversified energy companies, governmental entities, housing authorities, and nonprofit organizations. Prior to assuming his current leadership role, Lewis led the Firm’s Public Law and Finance team as Practice Group Manager for over a decade. Additionally, he previously served as General Counsel to Summit County, Ohio and is currently General Counsel to Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc.

Experience
  • Serves as lead outside governmental relations counsel for Ohio's largest banking institution
  • Represents the Mid-West’s largest construction firm in negotiating several million dollar projects
  • Represents largest Ohio public hospital
  • Represents one of the country's oldest black theater companies
  • Helped develop a hundred million dollar Northeast Ohio energy project
  • Negotiated redevelopment of a large multiple unit apartment complex in Northeast Ohio
  • Participated in one of Ohio's largest hotel projects in the last twenty years
  • Lead a multiple million dollar public-private transfer of transit authority
  • Lead a $200 M large university campus redevelopment project
  • Lead a municipality for a significant Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) mandate on a federal level
  • Participated in a significant airport project in Northeast Ohio
  • Helped in the development of the Akron Urban League/City of Akron/County of Summit school project headquarters
  • Counseled client on numerous public/private projects collectively valued well over $100 million
  • Served as lead counsel for Ohio's largest community correction facility
  • Assisted in the site developed of the Cleveland Industrial Park
  • Assisted with the successful development of multiple units of affordable housing throughout Ohio
  • Counseled two of Ohio's largest school districts
  • Assisted with many public/private manufacturing site developments throughout Ohio

Education

  1. The University of Akron School of Law, J.D.
  2. The City College of The City University of New York, B.S.
    • cum laude

Credentials

Bar Admissions
  1. Ohio
Court Admissions
  1. U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  2. U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Clerkships
  1. Judicial Clerk for The Honorable James R. Williams, Summit County Ohio Court of Common Pleas

Recognitions

  • University of Akron School of Law Outstanding Alumni Award (2023)
  • Summit County Children Services' (SCCS) Community Partner Award (2022) 
  • University of Akron School of Law, Commencement Speaker (2022)
  • University of Akron School of Law J. Dean Carro Professionalism Award from the Black Law Students Association (2015)
  • Case Western Reserve University CBC Louis Stokes Scholarship Reception (2012 & 2013)
  • Recipient of the City of Akron "Livability Award" for the collaborative spirit utilized by the Akron Urban League, Akron Public Schools and the City of Akron in building a Community Learning Center (2009)
  • Chaired U.S. Senator Brown's U.S. Marshal and U.S. Attorney Selection Committee for the Southern District of Ohio (2012)
  • Organized key reception at the 2012 Democratic National Convention
  • U.S. Senator Brown's U.S. Marshal and U.S. Attorney Ohio Selection Committee (2009)
  • Cleveland Foundation's Greater Cleveland American Marshall Memorial Fellowship (AMMF), Chair (2010-2011)
  • Cleveland Foundation's Greater Cleveland American Marshall Memorial Fellowship (AMMF), Selection Committee Member (2009)
  • The University of Akron, School of Law's "Judge James R. Williams" endowed scholarship, Creator
  • The University of Akron's "Dr. Sylvester Small, Superintendent, Akron Public Schools" endowed scholarship, Creator
  • Honorable Mayor Frank Jackson's Economic Development Transition Team, Member (2006)
  • Honorable Mayor Campbell's "Cleveland 500,000+ Partnership" program funded by the Cleveland Foundation, Team Leader (2003 & 2004)
  • Summit County Executive Tim Davis, General Counsel (1997-2000)
  • City of Akron, Prosecutor (1993-1994)

Affiliations

Professional Affiliations
  • Board of Directors of S&T Bancorp, Inc.
  • Chair, Board of Trustees of The University of Akron (June 2023- 2025)
    • Vice Chair (2021-2023)
    • Member (2017-2021)
  • Summa Health Finance Committee, Member (January 2021)
  • Akron Bar Association
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Diversity Action Committee
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Barrister's Association
Community Affiliations
  • Board of Trustees, Ideastream Public Media
  • The Nominating Committee, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce (November 2016–present)
  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
  • Akron Urban League, General Counsel and President (2000–2003)
  • Cleveland City Club
  • Cleveland Urban League
  • Summit County Consumer Affairs Board
  • Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
  • Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity
  • The National Democratic Club, Member, Washington D.C. (2013–present)
  • Firestone Country Club, Resident Member (2010-present)

Insights

  1. Alerts
    State Biennial Budget (HB33) Heads to Ohio Governor for Approval – Summary of Major Educational Changes (Jul 3, 2023)
    Section 504 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Expected August 2023 (Jun 27, 2023)
    Appeals Court Upholds School’s Right to Discipline Student for Off-Campus Speech (Jun 22, 2023)
    Clashing Times: Developments Concerning Transgender Student Athletes (Apr 10, 2023)
    New Ohio Law Impacting Indemnity in Public Works Design Contracts (Mar 31, 2023)
  2. Presentations
    "Navigating a Legal Career in a Changing Field" - Diversity & Inclusion Fair (2014)
    Orientation presentation: Ethics - The University of Akron, School of Law
    Featured Speaker - Storycorps, Akron Public Radio
    Multiple Jurisdiction Practice - The University of Akron School of Law
    United States Federal Reserve Bank, Cleveland
  3. Firm News
    Roetzel Positions Itself for the Future (Mar 20, 2023)
    Roetzel’s Lewis Adkins Served as Commencement Speaker for the University of Akron School of Law (May 20, 2022)
    Roetzel’s Reopening America Readiness Team Formed to Help Businesses Reopen (May 5, 2020)
    Roetzel Transitioning to Virtual Work Environment (Mar 16, 2020)
    Roetzel & Andress Expands Roetzel Consulting Solutions (Jul 17, 2017)