Lewis leads a large and diverse team of attorneys and lobbyists in the public law arena. 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' 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. 

Lewis previously served as General Counsel to Summit County, Ohio and is currently General Counsel to Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Akron School of Law and his Bachelor of Science, cum laude, from the City College of The City University of New York.

Experience

  • Serves as lead outside governmental relations counsel for Ohio's largest banking institution
  • Represents one of Ohio’s largest construction firms in negotiating several million-dollar projects
  • Represents one of the largest Northeast Ohio energy/infrastructure companies
  • Represented the largest Ohio public hospital
  • Helped develop a $100 million Northeast Ohio energy project
  • Negotiated redevelopment of a large multiple unit apartment complex in Northeast Ohio
  • Represents and works with several municipalities including Cleveland, Columbus, Akron, Cincinnati and Youngstown
  • 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

Recognitions

  • The Norman S. Minor Bar Association's Ronald B. Adrine Trailblazer Award (2024)
  • Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree, The University of Akron (2026)
  • The Norman S. Minor Bar Association's Ronald B. Adrine Trailblazer Award (2024)
  • 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 Lewis W. Adkins, Jr. endowed scholarship, Creator
  • 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)

Professional Affiliations

  • Board of Directors of S&T Bancorp, Inc.
  • Ideastream Public Media, Ohio Public Media Services Committee, Chair and Executive Committee Member
  • Board of Trustees of The University of Akron, Chair (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

  • 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
  • The National Democratic Club, Member, Washington D.C. (2013–present)
  • Firestone Country Club, Resident Member (2010-present)