Login | June 26, 2026
Sir Thomas More Award recipient Larry Poulos reflects on career
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: June 26, 2026
When Summit County, Ohio attorney Larry Poulos was awarded the Akron Bar Association’s Professionalism Award in 2016, he said he believed it was the crowning achievement of his career.
As it turns out, it was only one of two honors he would receive, with the news that he was this year’s Sir Thomas More Award recipient taking him completely by surprise.
Presented by the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland as part of the Akron Bar Association’s Law Week festivities, the annual award (also known as the St. Thomas More Award) pays tribute to St. Thomas More, the patron saint of lawyers.
To be selected, an individual must have demonstrated outstanding personal integrity, professional excellence and community service.
“It’s very prestigious and I was quite honored,” said Poulos, who received the accolade on May 1 during the Red Mass at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Akron.
“The ceremony was amazing,” said Poulos, of counsel at Barry M. Ward Co. and Rischitelli & Poulos. “During my legal career, I’ve always tried to adhere to many of the same ideals as Sir Thomas More—compassion, ethics and devotion to the rule of law.”
Attorney Barry M. Ward, who has known Poulos since 1982, said there are many ways in which he exemplifies the qualities the award celebrates.
“Larry is a distinguished attorney, a public servant and a leader in the Akron legal community,” said Ward, who owns Barry M. Ward Co. “During his time as chief magistrate in the probate court he treated people with kindness, consideration and respect.
“He is an outstanding person who has dedicated himself to charitable, civic and faith-based service.
“Personally, he’s more than a good friend,” said Ward. “Over the years, we’ve shared laughs and cried together over life events.”
Poulos’s son George, an attorney at Rischitelli & Poulos, said his father is a “pillar” in the legal and greater Akron communities.
“My dad mentored many attorneys and participated in numerous volunteer activities that helped people in the community throughout his career,” said George.
“When he was on the probate bench, he had an open-door policy,” said George. “He was always willing to answer any question that people had or work to problem-solve issues.
“He volunteers and participates in the church and in various community organizations.
“Growing up he would often talk about the law at the dinner table,” said George. “It allowed me to learn about the profession, but more importantly the need to help others. I have tried to emulate my father in my legal practice as well as in my role as a father to my child.”
A native of Akron, Poulos didn’t initially plan on a legal career.
He majored in history at The University of Akron, only considering law school after his sister Elaine suggested it would be a good fit.
However, he said once he started taking classes at UA’s School of Law, he knew it was the right choice because it would enable him to problem-solve and help others.
After receiving his juris doctor in 1973, Poulos began his legal career as an associate at Cherpas, Manos & Syracopoulos, the firm where he clerked during law school.
Several years later, he took a position as an assistant law director for the city of Akron, working in the civil division.
During his time as an assistant law director, he formed a professional and personal relationship with finance director, Roy Ray, who became the mayor of Akron in 1980.
Ray asked him to be his deputy mayor for labor relations, so he left the firm.
After Ray lost his bid for re-election, Poulos returned to the firm which was then known as Teodosio, Cherpas & Manos. Retired 9th District Court of Appeals Judge Thomas Teodosio’s father, Al, was one of the three partners.
Not long after returning to the firm, Poulos left again to take on the role of chief counsel of the civil division in the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.
Retired 9th District Court of Appeals Judge Donna Carr started as an assistant prosecutor in the office while Poulos was chief counsel.
“As a new lawyer, Larry took me under his wing and taught me how to be an attorney,” said Carr. “He also taught me how to interact with people.
“Larry was my boss and mentor for many years at the prosecutor’s office, but he’s been my role model my entire career.”
Carr said Poulos is very deserving of the Sir Thomas More Award.
“I’ve wanted to see him receive it for years,” said Carr. “Larry really is the epitome of what the Sir Thomas More Award represents; he has courage, integrity, and he’s a defender of faith.
“The award recognizes people who have served with distinction while holding on to their values, and anyone who knows Larry knows that’s what he has done.”
Sole practitioner Joe Doty was also among those mentored by Poulos.
“I was in law school when I started as a deputy clerk in Summit County Probate Court,” said Doty. “Larry was the chief magistrate at the time, and his desk was 30 feet from my office.
“He always made himself available to answer my questions and explain things,” said Doty. “Later I practiced in his court, and I remember the kindness and respect he showed me and my clients.
“If you had something you needed to discuss or ideas about how to solve a problem, Larry was always open to listening so he could come up with the best possible solution.
“He was a fantastic magistrate and is a great person,” said Doty. “He is absolutely deserving of the Sir Thomas More award.”
In 1987, Poulos ran for mayor of Akron as the Republican candidate, losing to Democrat Don Plusquellic.
In the early 1990s Poulos said he was recruited by Summit County Probate Court Judge Bill Spicer to be a referee.
Not long after, Poulos was appointed chief magistrate of the Summit County Probate Court, serving for about 20 years.
A longtime member and former president of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Poulos told the told the Akron Legal News during his 2016 interview that his faith helped to guide him when he was magistrate and had to make “life-and-death decisions,” such as taking away a person’s rights and giving them to a guardian.
“I believe that to do that you not only need to understand the law, you need compassion and a basic understanding of human beings that only your faith can provide,” he stated during the interview.
Poulos retired from the court in December 2010, joining Rischitelli & Poulos and Barry M. Ward Co., where he continues to focus on probate law.
U.S. District Court Judge John Adams first met Poulos when he was a law clerk working for Judge Bill Spicer in the Summit County Probate Court.
“Larry later recruited me to work in the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office,” said Judge Adams, who serves in the Northern District of Ohio. “Larry became chief magistrate. He replaced Ralph Young, who had served as a magistrate for 47 years and was a fountain of knowledge.
“Larry stepped into Ralph’s shoes without missing a beat.
“Larry is warm and approachable, and he got up to speed quickly on probate law,” said Judge Adams. “He is very skilled at dealing with people.”
While Poulos has never practiced in his court, Judge Adams said he referred several difficult matters to him for mediation.
Judge Adams said Poulos is not only deserving of the Sir Thomas More award, but he is surprised he didn’t receive it sooner.
“Larry has given so much to the community over the years,” said Judge Adams.
A longtime member of the Akron Bar Association, Poulos is a former president and treasurer and served on the board of directors.
He is currently a member of the Akron Bar Association Senior Lawyers Committee and the Estate Planning, Probate & Elder Law Section.
In addition, he is a former longtime member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the National College of Probate Judges and the Ohio Association of Magistrates.
Poulos has spoken at many continuing legal education seminars at the Ohio State and Akron bar associations as well as being a lecturer at the Ohio Judicial College.
He also served as a guest lecturer at The University of Akron School of Law.
Outside of the legal profession, he is a member of the Akron Breakfast Optimist Club and AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association), the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes.
Over the years, he’s served on numerous nonprofit boards, including Tarry House, where he is also a former president. The organization provides services to Summit County adults with mental health disorders.
He is also a former coordinator for Community Fellowship Chapel’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations.
He is one of the founders and a former board member of Young Graduates Inc., a mentorship program for at-risk high school seniors and a former advisor to the mock trial team at Garfield High School in Akron.
Poulos continues to be actively involved in his church, often preparing Greek food for events and festivals.
He also does a lot of cooking for bar association events, serving as the unofficial director of social and culinary events for the Akron Bar Association Senior Lawyers Committee.
“I have a passion for cooking, just like my father did,” said Poulos. “He was an Akron fireman for 34 years and he cooked for the fire station.
“I learned to cook from him,” said Poulos. “I enjoy it. I’m known for my Spanakopita (Greek spinach pie).”
As he looks down the road, Poulos said he has no plans to retire.
Poulos and his wife Karen have been married for 46 years. In addition to their son George, they have a daughter, Elizabeth, and three granddaughters.
Other than cooking, Poulos said he loves to play golf and spend time with his granddaughters.
“The law is the glue that binds our society together,” said Poulos. “It allows individuals to settle their differences and provides guidelines for behavior.
“The court, judges and lawyers help to move the process to an acceptable conclusion,” said Poulos.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to be part of the Akron Bar Association and to practice within the Akron legal community.”