Login | September 06, 2024
Roderick Linton Belfance Managing Partner Bill Chris takes the reins as OSBA president-elect
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: July 19, 2024
He just completed his term as the District 11 representative on the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) Board of Governors, now Roderick Linton Belfance Managing Partner Bill Chris has taken the reins as OSBA president-elect.
The transition took place during the board of governors’ year-end meeting, which was held at the French Lick Resort in Indiana from June 14 to 15.
“I’m excited to take on this new role at the OSBA, which will prepare me to serve as president in 2025,” said Chris, who began his term on July 1. “Over the two years, I plan to continue pressing forward with the OSBA’s access to justice initiatives and efforts.
“I also hope to work closely with Ohio’s local bar associations in an effort to coordinate and improve our member programs.”
Chris replaces Daniel Griffith, who is the new president of the OSBA, with attorney Michelle L. Kranz now immediate past president. Kranz is a founding partner of the Toledo firm Zoll & Kranz.
“Having been president of the Akron Bar and a longtime private practitioner at a prestigious firm, Bill’s perspective has, and will continue to be invaluable as we work to make sure our members have the tools and resources they need to meet the demands of a modern law practice,” said Griffith, senior vice president, director of wealth strategy at Huntington Private Bank.
“His approach to leadership is straightforward and practical, just the sort of voice you want at the table when you are making strategic decisions.
“I would also add that he and his wife Mikki are a lot of fun, as are all the Ohio Bar leaders with whom we serve. We all come from different places and backgrounds, and it really helps with board cohesion when you genuinely like to spend time with the people you work with.”
While he’s just begun his term as OSBA president-elect, Chris said he hopes to play a key role in identifying and unveiling new programs and benefits for bar association members.
“During my tenure on the board of governors I became very familiar with the myriad of programs and ways in which the OSBA assists members and the public. The board is charged with managing the OSBA’s business affairs, setting policy and reviewing pending legislation, as well as creating opportunities that engage the public and benefit our members.
“The OSBA’s insights are sought out by legislative leaders in Ohio and nationally,” said Chris. “The collaboration of ideas by the board and OSBA staff has really made this a cohesive and diverse group of leaders. Ohio lawyers and citizens are well served by the leadership at the OSBA.”
Particularly close to his heart, Chris said, is helping lawyers struggling with alcohol, drug or emotional crises, explaining he would like to see all bar associations within the state work together to come up with new ways to assist members struggling with substance use issues.
“We owe a duty to our fellow lawyers to watch out for each other and get them the assistance they need to confront their issues,” said Chris.
Born in Akron, Chris grew up in North Canton and received his bachelor’s degree in communication and rhetoric from The University of Akron.
After earning his juris doctor from The University of Toledo College of Law in 1985, he began his career as an associate at Nukes & Perantinides Co., where he primarily focused on insurance defense.
Prior to joining Roderick Linton Belfance as a partner in 2001, he was a partner at Engle & Chris. Now a principal at RLB, he has been on the executive committee or served as managing partner of the firm for much of the last decade.
During that time, the firm has increased in size from 20 to 30 attorneys.
“There is not much to say except that Roderick is a great place to work,” said Chris.
He joined the Akron Bar Association in 1985, serving as president in 2018-2019 and as trustee and bar counsel from April 2009 to September 2012. Chris was also the chair of several committees.
Chris is a distinguished fellow of the Akron Bar Foundation and completed two terms as secretary of the foundation’s board of governors. He regularly donates a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon to the foundation gala, which he said is a sought-after raffle prize.
In addition, Chris is a member of the Portage County, Florida and American bar associations, the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys and the Defense Research Institute.
Chris is also a past president of the Ohio chapter of the National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators and has served on its national board.
“Everyone who ascends to this position often states that their overall goal this year and as president and immediate past president is to leave the Ohio State Bar Association in a better place than when they began,” said Chris.
“To that I simply say: Me too! It is important that we continue providing valuable benefits to our members, while keeping the OSBA fiscally strong.”