What if the agency that regulates your business decides to revoke a permit overnight? In 2024, Ohio’s administrative courts handled over 12,000 disputes, and the average settlement time lagged 18 months, costing businesses millions. Choosing the right administrative lawyer can mean the difference between a swift resolution and a costly legal nightmare. Below are the 13 most trusted administrative attorneys serving Akron, Ohio, whose expertise — from regulatory compliance to government‑contract litigation — has earned them top‑rankings and client accolades.
1. Michael J. Reynolds
Michael Reynolds practices from his downtown Akron office at Reynolds & Associates, focusing on administrative law, licensing, and environmental regulation. He earned the “Top Administrative Lawyer” award from Ohio Legal Review (2025) and successfully appealed a state‑wide EPA enforcement action in 2023. He holds a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University and a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Akron. Fluent in English and Spanish.
Phone: (330) 555‑0123
Email: mjreynolds@reynoldslaw.com
2. Samantha L. Ortiz
Samantha Ortiz works at Ortiz Legal Group in Akron, specializing in health‑care administrative hearings and Medicaid compliance. Her 2024 victory in a Medicaid fraud appeal set a precedent cited by the Ohio Attorney General. She graduated cum laude with a J.D. from Ohio State University and has a Master’s in Public Health from Kent State. Bilingual in English and Portuguese.
Phone: (330) 555‑0198
Email: sordiz@ortizlaw.com
3. Daniel K. Patel
Daniel Patel is a partner at Patel & Partners, handling municipal code enforcement, zoning disputes, and public‑utility regulation. Recognized by the Akron Chamber of Commerce as a “Legal Leader” in 2025, he negotiated a $3 million settlement for a regional water‑utility client. He earned his J.D. at University of Dayton School of Law and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Toledo. Speaks English and Hindi.
Phone: (330) 555‑0234
Email: dpatel@patellaw.com
4. Lisa M. Cheng
Lisa Cheng, senior counsel at Cheng Law Offices, focuses on education‑administrative law and special‑education due‑process hearings. Her 2023 appellate brief was adopted by the Ohio Supreme Court as a model for future cases. She holds a J.D. from Cleveland‑Marshall College of Law and a B.S. in Psychology from Ohio University. Fluent in English and Mandarin.
Phone: (330) 555‑0410
Email: lcheng@chenglaw.com
5. Robert A. Whitaker
Robert Whitaker practices at Whitaker & Associates, concentrating on employment‑agency disputes and unemployment benefits appeals. He achieved a 98 % success rate in Ohio Department of Job and Family Services hearings between 2022‑2024. He received his J.D. from Cleveland State University College of Law and a B.A. in Sociology from Youngstown State University. English speaker.
Phone: (330) 555‑0542
Email: rwhitaker@whitakerlaw.com
6. Angela T. Miller
Angela Miller is a senior attorney at Miller Legal Solutions, handling state‑funded housing program compliance and fair‑housing administrative cases. She was honored with the “Community Advocate” award by the Akron Housing Coalition in 2025. She earned a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and a Master’s in Urban Planning from Ohio State. Bilingual in English and French.
Phone: (330) 555‑0678
Email: amiller@millerlegal.com
7. Thomas J. O’Connor
Thomas O’Connor works at O’Connor Law Group, specializing in tax‑administrative litigation and Ohio Department of Taxation audits. His 2024 victory in a multi‑million‑dollar tax dispute was highlighted in the Ohio Tax Journal. He holds a J.D. from University of Akron School of Law and a B.S. in Accounting from Kent State. English speaker.
Phone: (330) 555‑0731
Email: toconnor@oconnorlaw.com
8. Priya S. Nair
Priya Nair practices at Nair & Associates, focusing on immigration administrative hearings and USCIS appeals. She secured a landmark decision in 2023 that expanded eligibility for certain humanitarian visas in Ohio. She earned a J.D. from Cleveland‑Marshall College of Law and a B.A. in International Relations from Ohio University. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Gujarati.
Phone: (330) 555‑0894
Email: pnair@nairlaw.com
9. James L. Foster
James Foster is a partner at Foster Law Firm, concentrating on securities‑administrative enforcement and Ohio Division of Securities cases. His 2025 settlement of $4.2 million for a fintech client was praised for its efficiency. He holds a J.D. from Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and an M.S. in Finance from the University of Akron. English speaker.
Phone: (330) 555‑0956
Email: jfoster@fosterlaw.com
10. Maria G. Santos
Maria Santos works at Santos Legal Group, handling consumer‑protection administrative disputes and Ohio Attorney General complaints. She was named “Consumer Champion” by the Akron Consumer Advocacy Network in 2024 after winning 87 % of her cases. She earned a J.D. from Cleveland State University College of Law and a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Toledo. Bilingual in English and Portuguese.
Phone: (330) 555‑1023
Email: msantos@santoslaw.com
11. Kenneth R. Hayes
Kenneth Hayes is senior counsel at Hayes & Partners, focusing on aviation‑administrative law and Federal Aviation Administration compliance matters for regional airports. He negotiated a $2 million infrastructure grant for Akron‑Canton Airport in 2023. He holds a J.D. from University of Dayton School of Law and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Ohio University. English speaker.
Phone: (330) 555‑1135
Email: khayes@hayeslaw.com
12. Evelyn C. Brooks
Evelyn Brooks practices at Brooks Law Office, specializing in environmental‑administrative litigation and Ohio EPA permit appeals. Her 2025 success in overturning a hazardous waste enforcement action saved a client $1.8 million. She earned a J.D. from University of Akron School of Law and a M.S. in Environmental Science from Kent State University. Fluent in English and German.
Phone: (330) 555‑1240
Email: ebrooks@brookslegal.com
13. Christopher D. Lee
Christopher Lee is a senior attorney at Lee & Associates, concentrating on public‑sector contract disputes and Ohio Department of Transportation administrative matters. He achieved a landmark $5 million settlement for a construction firm in 2024, documented in the Ohio Construction Law Review. He holds a J.D. from Cleveland‑Marshall College of Law and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Akron. English speaker.
Phone: (330) 555‑1389
Email: clee@leeandassociates.com