Login | November 13, 2026
Am Law 200 firm Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick adds a seasoned real estate attorney
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: November 13, 2026
A seasoned real estate attorney with extensive experience in franchise mergers and acquisitions has joined Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, strengthening several of the firm’s service lines.
Laura L. Wallerstein started as a partner in Shumaker’s Akron office on Sept. 1, after working at Cleveland-based McDonald Hopkins since 2022.
Wallerstein said she was pleased to join a full-service Am Law 200 firm that fosters a culture of service.
“Practicing law with knowledgeable attorneys who are also serving their communities in a volunteer capacity is very important to me, and it’s great to be a part of a firm that supports these efforts,” said Wallerstein.
Amanda Leffler, managing partner of Shumaker’s Akron office, said Wallerstein’s experience will help bolster and expand client services.
“Laura’s deep roots in the community, sophisticated real estate and franchising practice, and commitment to building lasting relationships will strengthen our firm and enhance the value we bring to our clients,” said Leffler.
“As real estate investment activity gains momentum and M&A activity strengthens, clients need counsel who can evaluate opportunities from both a business and real estate perspective,” said partner Beth Eckel, leader of the firm’s Real Estate, Construction & Development national service line.
“Laura’s integrated approach helps clients navigate these evolving market dynamics, address risk early, and position transactions for long-term value.”
Born in Bluffton, Ohio, Wallerstein moved to Akron at age five.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in economics from Oberlin College in 2003, she started her own consulting company.
“I was already planning on law school, but running my business confirmed my interest because I saw how much I enjoyed finding creative solutions for my clients,” said Wallerstein.
“I also learned that many of the time management and writing skills I already possessed aligned well with my desire to be a lawyer.”
While pursuing a joint J.D./MBA at The University of Akron School of Law in the evening, she gained experience working as a law clerk in the Massillon Prosecutor’s Office and at FirstEnergy.
She also served as a research assistant at White Hat Management.
“Because I was a night student, I had the opportunity to explore different ways that I could use my law degree in the workforce during the day, which helped me decide what area I wanted to focus on in practice,” said Wallerstein.
After graduating, she began her legal career in 2010 as an associate at Brennan, Manna & Diamond, where she had also clerked during law school.
During her early years in practice, Wallerstein was active in groups like Torchbearers, which focuses on developing emerging leaders.
Leffler was president of the nonprofit while Wallerstein was a member.
Wallerstein said she was impressed by Leffler’s leadership skills and continued to follow her career.
“Shumaker has been on my radar ever since Amanda Leffler moved here a few years ago,” said Wallerstein.
In 2014, Wallerstein joined Roetzel & Andress, becoming a partner in 2019.
“Brian Moore, John Coyne and Richard Mulligan were incredible mentors to me at Roetzel and advanced my real estate and franchise practice significantly,” said Wallerstein.
She left Roetzel & Andress in 2022, joining McDonald Hopkins as a member and continuing to expand her expertise in real estate and franchise M&A.
As a partner at Shumaker, Wallerstein represents clients across three of the firm’s service lines: Corporate, Tax & Transactions; Franchise & Distribution; and Real Estate, Construction & Development.
“I’m a transactional attorney with a focus on real estate and franchising in particular, which works well with my personality,” said Wallerstein. “I work on deals where both sides are moving in the same direction, and I help my client achieve that joint goal while minimizing risk.
“It’s very rewarding,” Wallerstein said.
Wallerstein is a member of the Akron Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) and is an Ohio State Bar Foundation fellow.
A resident of Akron, Wallerstein is very active in the community.
She serves on the Summit County Audit Committee and on the board of Downtown Akron Partnership, where she is also an officer.
Wallerstein is also a Fierce Advocate member of ATHENA Akron Inc. and a member of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Greater Akron.
She has received a number of accolades during her career, including an ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award and the Women’s History Project Woman of the Year Award.
This year, she was named to Franchise Times’ Legal Eagles list.
Wallerstein said her immediate priorities at Shumaker are serving her clients, integrating into the firm’s culture and supporting her new colleagues.
“We have a lot of stellar practitioners here and the firm provides me with a national platform to service my clients,” she said. “I plan to continue to provide trusted counsel to all of my current and future clients at Shumaker.
“I am looking forward to a bright future with the firm.”