Stephen Funk
is a Lawyer in Akron, OH
Areas of Law
 - ......................... 12%Litigation
- ......................... 11%Appellate
- ......................... 11%Business and Commercial Litigation
- ......................... 11%Public Law Litigation
- ......................... 55%Other
Other Areas Of LawEnvironmental Litigation; Zoning and Land Use; Public Law; School Law; Financial Crisis Advisory Group
Contact Information
| Currently Employed At |
222 South Main Street
Akron, OH 44308
|
| Phone |
(330) 849-6602
|
| Website |
www.ralaw.com
|
Experience & Credentials
| Admission Details | 1992, Ohio; U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio; U.S. Supreme Court | | Education | Miami University, B.A., summa cum laude, 1988 Phi Beta Kappa; Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1991 | | Birth Information | Le Mars, Iowa, August 25, 1966 | | Associations & Memberships | Akron Bar Association (Elected to 3-year term on Board of Trustees, 2002-2005; Chair, 2003-2005, 2010- and Vice Chair, 2001-2003, 2008-2010, Federal Court Committee; Chair, 2001-2003 and Chair, Mentor Program, 1999-2001, University of Akron Liaison Committee; Member: Court of Common Pleas Committee, 2001-; Long-Range Planning Committee, 2003-2005; Bench-Bar Committee, 2001, 2003, 2005); Ohio State Bar Association (Member: Federal Courts Committee; Appellate Law Committee); Federal Bar Association (Member, Board of Directors, Northern District of Ohio Chapter, 2002-2008). | | Awards & Recognition | Certified as a specialist in appellate law by the Ohio State Bar Association
AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
Named one of "Top 100 Ohio Lawyers" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (2011)
Selected as an "Ohio Super Lawyer" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (2009-2011)
Selected as an "Ohio Super Lawyer - Rising Star" by Law & Politics magazine, Cincinnati Magazine and Columbus Monthly (2005-2007) | | Speaking Engagements | "Land Use Law: Current Issues in Subdivision, Annexation and Zoning" - National Business Institute, Cleveland and Akron (December 2010)
"State and Local Government Law: Ethical Issues" - National Business Institute, Cleveland (December 2010)
"Local Civil Rules: Northern District of Ohio Federal Court Admission Seminar" - Cleveland Bar Association (December 2010)
"Local Civil Rules: Northern District of Ohio Federal Court Admission Seminar" - Akron Bar Association (November 2010)
"State and Local Government Law: Hot Topics in Land Use and Zoning Law" - National Business Institute, Cleveland, Ohio (December 2009)
"Mastering Zoning and Land Use Planning Processes" - National Business Institute, Cleveland and Akron, Ohio (February 2009)
"Practical Guide to Appellate Practice Before Ohio's Federal and State Courts: Featuring Blue-Ribbon Panel of Judges," Moderator; The Ohio State Bar Association Convention and Annual Meeting (May 2008)
"Land Use and Zoning Litigation" - National Business Institute, Cleveland and Akron, Ohio (June 2008, March 2007, March 2006, and December 2004)
School Law Seminar on Single-Sex Education, sponsored by the Ohio State Bar Association, Cleveland, Ohio (December 2007)
"Practical Guide to Zoning and Land Use Law in Ohio" - National Business Institute, Cleveland and Akron, Ohio (May 2007, August 2006; May 2005, December 2004, May 2004; and August 2003)
"Legal Issues Involving Ohio Local Governments" - National Business Institute, Cleveland, Ohio (March 2008, March 2006; and March 2005)
"What You Need to Know about Public Records and Open Meetings in Ohio"- Lorman Education Services, Akron, Ohio (February 2007, June 2005, June 2004; and June 2003)
"Children's' Records Law in Ohio" - Lorman Education Services (May 2003 and February 2002).
"Lecturer on Use of Scientific Evidence in Environmental Cases" - OSBA Environmental Institute (2001) | | Reported Cases | Obtained two published 6th Circuit decisions on behalf of the Ohio Disciplinary Counsel in response to federal constitutional challenges arising from disciplinary proceedings filed under Ohio's Code of Judicial Conduct.
Defended municipalities and police officers in federal court actions under 42 U.S.C. 1983, including a successful federal court jury trial in a wrongful death case and a successful published 6th Circuit opinion reversing the district court's denial of qualified immunity in a deadly force case.
Prosecuted a UCC breach of contract action against a large New Hampshire natural gas supplier that resulted in a multi-million jury verdict for compensatory damages.
Prosecuted $20 million breach of contract action in a jury trial on behalf of public utility.
Defended negligent hiring and retention claim in a jury trial on behalf of national security guard company.
Defended a zoning and nuisance lawsuit filed against the Akron-Canton Regional Airport to enjoin part of a $60 million airport runway expansion project.
Prosecuted successful challenge to the validity of a township zoning resolution in the appellate courts, including arguments before the Ohio Supreme Court and two arguments before the Ninth District Court of Appeals.
Prosecuted challenge to the constitutionality of municipal charter amendment under retroactivity clause of the Ohio Constitution.
Prosecuted federal court challenge to constitutionality of appropriations riders that barred Army Corps of Engineers from processing permit application.
Defended the constitutionality of Ohio's E-Check program on behalf of a private contractor who performed motor vehicle emissions testing.
Defended multi-million dollar class action for refund of E-Check inspection fees.
Obtained a favorable decision from the Ohio Supreme Court regarding the constitutionality of state law relating to the method for the apportionment of local government funds between political subdivisions.
Obtained favorable decision in the Ohio Supreme Court relating to the authority of a local transit authority to enter into commercial lease agreement for the use of railroad lines for excursion train.
Prosecuted litigation arising from a failed underground storage tank that was over-pressurized by a trucking company.
Prosecuted Section 1983 zoning claim in federal court to enjoin township from eliminating zoning for proposed automobile dealership.
Prosecuted breach of warranty claim in federal court on behalf of municipality that purchased fire safety vehicles from an out-of-state corporation.
Prosecuted professional malpractice actions against engineering firms on behalf of a municipality.
Defended Board of Directors in lawsuit challenging the removal of a chief executive officer for misappropriation of corporate assets and business opportunities.
Prosecuted claims for judicial dissolution of corporations and other shareholder disputes.
Defended nine companies who were sued in federal court on a shareholder dispute involving the attempted sales of shares in a Minnesota corporation.
Prosecuted multiple cases and appeals involving constitutional challenges to local zoning ordinances.
Prosecuted a number of zoning hearings and administrative appeals on behalf of commercial developers and private landowners.
Prosecuted and defended eminent domain and takings cases in state court.
Defended a local school district against zoning challenge to the use of modular classes.
Presented and argued a school transfer case before the Ohio State Board of Education and the appellate courts.
Filed amicus briefs in the United States Supreme Court in support of petition for writ of certiorari in DeRolph school funding case.
Obtained a writ of mandamus and an award of attorney fees from the Ohio Supreme Court to compel the disclosure of an incident report for a police shooting in Wayne County, Ohio. | | Civil Associations | Board of Education for the Hudson City School District (2004-2006)
Citizens Committee for Hudson Schools, Co-Chair (2003-2006)
Board of Trustees for Northeast Ohio Legal Services and Community Legal Aid (2010 - present)
Justice for All Campaign Committee, Community Legal Aid (2008-2010)
Rejoice Lutheran Church, Hudson, OH; Church Council (2008-Present); Chair, Building Committe (2007-2008); Chair, Call Committee (2005) | | Employment | Advisory Group for the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio (1999-present)
- Civil Rules Committee (1999-Present); Chair (2001-2005); Co-Chair (2005- present)
- Technology Committee (1999-2001) | | Additional Bio Details | Mr. Funk's practice focuses on business and public law litigation, appellate law, constitutional law, and land use and zoning law. He has worked for a variety of private and public sector clients, prosecuting and defending complex claims for breach of contract, negligence, fraud, professional malpractice, defamation, director and officer liability, environmental liability, and liability under 42 U.S.C. 1983. He has also prosecuted and defended a number of constitutional challenges to federal, state and local laws and handled a large number of zoning cases arising from administrative appeals under R.C. 2506.
Mr. Funk was recently named as one of the "Top 100 Ohio Lawyers" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine in 2011. He is also certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as a specialist in appellate law and has argued a number of high profile cases before the Ohio Supreme Court. Additionally, Mr. Funk is currently the Chair of the Akron Bar Association; Federal Court Committee and the Co-Chair of the Civil Rules Committee for the Northern District of Ohio. He is a 1991 graduate of the Harvard Law School and a former law clerk to U.S. District Judge Ann Aldrich in the Northern District of Ohio. Prior to joining Roetzel & Andress in 1998, Mr. Funk was a Senior Litigation Counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., where he gained significant appellate and district court experience in federal court. |
Office Information
Stephen Funk
222 South Main Street
Akron, OH 44308
|