Sutter, Lawrence A. III Mock Trial Fund
The Lawrence A. Sutter, III Mock Trial Fund was established in April 2017 to continue Larry Sutter’s legacy and unwavering commitment to trial advocacy at The University of Akron School of Law.
Larry Sutter graduated from The University of Akron School of Law in 1989. He was a founding partner of the law firm Sutter O’Connell, where he served as managing partner until his death on March 6, 2017.
Larry first developed a passion for trial advocacy while in law school, honing his skills under the leadership of then mock trial coach, Professor Charles (Chuck) Kirkwood. Many of Professor Kirkwood’s former students attribute their success as trial attorneys to the advocacy skills he taught, and Larry was no exception. Larry recognized the importance of giving back to Akron Law and, upon graduation, began volunteering his time to assist Professor Kirkwood with the mock trial program. While laying the foundation for what would eventually become a 27-year commitment to the success of Akron Law’s Mock Trial team, this is also when Larry met his wife, Paula Giulitto, who graduated from Akron Law in 1992. She now serves as a judge on the Portage County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division in Ravenna, Ohio. Larry eventually followed in Chuck Kirkwood’s footsteps and began coaching Akron Law’s Mock Trial Team.
For the next 27 years, Larry demonstrated his passion for mentoring trial lawyers by continuing to coach The University of Akron School of Law’s Mock Trial Team, leading Akron Law to four national championships and 18 regional titles. As a coach, Larry generously gave his time, talent, resources and expertise to the School of Law’s Mock Trial program. He used his law office for student practice space, directed many associates in his law firm to coach trial teams, spent hundreds of hours each year (mostly in the evenings and on weekends) personally conducting tryouts, coaching teams and traveling the country with law students to competitions. Larry also hired Akron Law graduates, helped other graduates find jobs and promoted the law school nationally, helping it become a powerhouse in trial advocacy.
The Lawrence A. Sutter, III Mock Trial Fund was established to continue Larry Sutter’s legacy at Akron Law while supporting the mock trial team he was so instrumental in developing.
The Lawrence A. Sutter, III Mock Trial Fund shall be used to provide unrestricted support for The University of Akron School of Law’s mock trial program. The fund will begin accepting gifts immediately, with a goal of becoming endowed, and will assist the mock trial program as funds are available and at the discretion of the Dean of the School of Law.
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