Login | April 26, 2025
Mahoning County Bar Law Day events kicks off next week
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: April 24, 2025
Law Day may be a week away but students in the Mahoning Valley have already begun participating in some of the activities, as legal professionals seek to raise their understanding of the justice system and the many different career opportunities within it.
As Mahoning County Bar Association Law Day Co-chair Kathi McNabb Welsh explains, what started as a single day celebration is now a weeks-long event.
“Because so much of what we do involves students, we needed more flexibility to accommodate school schedules,” said McNabb Welsh, chief of the civil division in the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office. “As a result, Law Day is more like law month.”
This year eighth grade students began touring the county’s courthouses in mid-April, with attorneys volunteering their time to escort them through the municipal, county and federal court buildings.
During the tours, students get the chance to watch hearings and speak with the judges afterward.
“As lawyers, I believe we have an obligation to engage and educate the public,” said McNabb Welsh. “We want students to not only consider exploring a career in law but we want to make sure that they respect and understand that the law is a living and breathing institution made up of folks just like them.
“Our county courthouse is also one of the most beautiful ones in the state and we are proud to show her off,” said McNabb Welsh.
On April 28, Law Day Co-chair Youngstown Municipal Administrative/Presiding Judge Carla J. Baldwin will host the second annual Access to Justice Program, which she started in 2024.
This year Judge Baldwin invited minority sophomore students from local high schools to spend the day at Youngstown Municipal Court.
Those who participate in the program will get the chance to observe court arraignments, preliminary hearings, pre-trials, video arraignments and civil matters heard by the court’s magistrates.
During lunch, students will learn about the different career opportunities available within the court system. The event will conclude with a question-and-answer session with a panel of legal professionals.
“The day is all about exposure,” said Judge Baldwin. “I wanted to be a lawyer since I was in the first grade but never had the opportunity to visit a courtroom or interact with legal professionals while I was in high school.
“I am committed to providing this opportunity to our local students,” said Judge Baldwin. “Exposure is everything!”
In addition to these events, high school juniors and seniors may also get the chance to shadow an attorney and attend the Law Day luncheon as that person’s guest.
The luncheon takes place on May 1 in the Daniel L. Rossi Auditorium, located on the lower level of the D.D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitor Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens in Mill Creek Park.
Retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Paul Pfeifer is the keynote speaker at the event, which now starts at 11:30 a.m.
Justice Pfeifer is expected to discuss the 2025 Law Day theme, “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One.”
Judge Baldwin said this year’s theme provides “a timely opportunity to remember that we are stronger together, while celebrating the differences that make us unique.”
She said the bar association is very “excited” that Justice Pfeifer accepted the invitation to speak at the luncheon.
“Justice Pfeifer offers a unique perspective on a variety of legal issues facing the court,” said Judge Baldwin. “He was the longest serving associate justice on the Ohio Supreme Court.
“Prior to his service on the court he served as an Ohio legislator in both the House and Senate.
“Most importantly, he is a kind and good-hearted man who is held in high esteem. He is a farmer and a proud family man who cherishes his wife, children and grandchildren.
“He has set the standard for public service,” she said. “He continues to lead as the executive director of the Ohio Judicial Conference.”
During the luncheon, the winners of the annual essay contest will be recognized and presented with prizes. The student who is awarded first place will receive $600.
Eleventh and 12th grade students participated in the competition, which focused on the use of executive orders.
They were asked to address the following questions: What provision of the Constitution provides the authority for executive orders? Does the use of executive orders serve the common good in a representative government? How might an executive order invade the authority of the Congress or the courts? Can you give an example of a famous executive order, either upheld or overturned?
The winners of the contest and their families receive complimentary invites to the luncheon, and public and private high schools in the county can also bring up to eight guests free of charge, courtesy of the Mahoning County Bar Association Foundation.
There are two other contests, including a poster competition for students in grades five to eight and a coloring contest for first to fourth grade classes in the Valley.
The winner of the poster contest will receive a monetary award and the class that is selected will get a pizza party.
For more information on this year’s Law Day luncheon on May 1 visit mahoningbar.org or call 330-746-2933.