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AKRON LAW DIRECTOR TO
RETIRE
ROTHAL’S PUBLIC SERVICE BEGAN IN 1959 |
(08/14/09) - Akron
Mayor Don Plusquellic today announced the retirement of the City’s Director of Law
Max Rothal, and elevated Cheri Cunningham, 56, an assistant director of law to become the
division’s director.
Rothal, 77, was appointed law director by Mayor Don Plusquellic in 1987 after a
distinguished career in private practice. Rothal graduated from the University of
Akron Law School in 1957 and joined the Law Department in 1959 where he served as chief
prosecutor.
“During those two years in the law department, I was also running my own law
practice, but by 1960 I decided to devote all of my time to my private practice,”
said Rothal. He re-joined the Law Department in 1984 where for three years he served
as the chief of litigation for the city.
Upon the departure of Harold Stubbs August 1987, Rothal was named acting law director by
the newly-seated mayor, and was appointed to the position of law director in December,
1987.
“Max Rothal has been a trusted advisor since I became mayor,” said
Plusquellic. “He has guided our city through some extremely challenging legal
cases and has served our citizens with true integrity and wisdom.”
A former president of the Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, Rothal said he felt
privileged to have had this opportunity for his career. “It has been an honor
to serve the people and Mayor Plusquellic and to have played a small role in many of the
large projects in our city,” said Rothal. “I have also been fortunate to
work with wonderful people on my staff and throughout our city. That is what has
made my career most enjoyable.”
Rothal, an active member of the Jewish community, former member of the Board of Trustees
for Victim Assistance and a member of the Community Mental Health Board says he wants to
remain active in the community. He also plans to read the many books he says
he’s bought over the years, but hasn’t had time to read. With children in
Chicago and California, Rothal says it’s most important now that he and his wife
Beverly do some traveling.
Rothal’s retirement is effective September 30, 2009.
Cunningham, who will become the first woman to serve as Akron law director, joined the
department in 1981 as a law clerk. Upon graduation from the University of Akron
School Of Law in 1982, she remained with the city as an attorney. In 1986,
Cunningham served as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice Anti-Trust
Division in its Cleveland office. A year later, she returned to the Akron Law
Department for six years, and then re-located out of state with her family.
In 1994, Cunningham returned to Akron to re-join the Law Department where she has
concentrated on economic development and been a member of the Mayor’s Economic
Development Coordinating Committee.
She is a member of the Akron Bar Association and has served on the Council of Delegates of
the Ohio State Bar Association. Cunningham is a graduate of Leadership Akron class
XIV, and has been a scouting leader. She has two adult children.
Cunningham’s salary is $118,000 annually. END |
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