MICHAEL T. ALTVATER, J.D.

2033 W. Market Street #5 Akron, OH 44313 330-294-0356 mikealtvater@yahoo.com

PROFILE
High-performing attorney with proven success combining multifaceted legal and business experience
to achieve and surpass civil, criminal, and administrative appeals goals for busy court and insurance
defense practice. Build long-term trusting relationships with people from diverse backgrounds,
communicate effectively, serve as liaison and resource, and follow up to ensure client satisfaction and
retention. Increase productivity, accuracy, efficiency, and accountability by introducing new
technologies and providing training to staff and attorneys.
United Way Outstanding Volunteer Award for work with OpenM Legal Clinic.

BAR ADMISSION
Supreme Court of Ohio – 2008

VALUE OFFERED
Communication / Presentation Counseling / Advising
Legal Research / Analysis / Writing Mediation / Negotiation
Organization / Administration Training / Teamwork
Discovery / Motions Community / Public Relations
Trial Preparation / Litigation Problem Solving
Cost Containment / Savings Technology Introduction / Training

EXPERIENCE
JUDICIAL ATTORNEY, Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer,
Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Akron, OH 2008 – Present
Researched and prepared written documentation involving motions for summary judgment
and to dismiss, declaratory judgments, and criminal suppression issues, in cases, including:
50 criminal trials for aggravated murder, theft, rape, drug possession, domestic violence,
gambling, and RICO offenses.
15 civil trials for medical malpractice, personal injury, and business disputes.
15 bench trials for business / contract disputes and domestic violence.
100 hearings for preliminary injunctions, motions to vacate, and discovery matters.
Appeals from administrative agency decisions.
Produced documentation for cases involving receiverships, complex commercial land and
residential development matters, declaration of priorities of real property liens, and property
valuations on appeal from Board of Revision.
Managed court case docket with caseload averaging 400 civil cases.
Conducted 3-5 pre-trial or final pre-trial conferences daily with attorneys, assisting with
resolution of litigation matters.
Served as liaison with press during major criminal trials, including death penalty case.
Improved response time and facilitated compliance with deadlines by working collaboratively
with attorneys to resolve contentious cases and by using early intervention techniques, including
mediation day with visiting judge and email communication of court expectations and
consequences for failure to meet expectations.
MICHAEL T. ALTVATER 330-294-0356 mikealtvater@yahoo.com Page 2

EXPERIENCE (cont.)
JUDICIAL ATTORNEY, Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer,
Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Akron, OH (cont.) 2008 – Present
Improved communication and attorney / client satisfaction by introducing state-of-the-art
courtroom technology for trial presentation; training staff and dozens of prosecuting and
defense attorneys in its use, and:
Assisting in redesign of Court website providing guidelines, procedures, and resources.
Instituting conversion to email system for transmitting documentation to and from attorneys,
reducing processing time from 2 weeks to instantly (adopted by other courts), saving
thousands of dollars and improving satisfaction by initiating email communication with
litigants, reducing staffing needs and eliminating paper, ink, and postage costs.

LAW CLERK, Davis & Young LPA, Akron, OH 2006 – 2008

Performed legal research and drafted memos and motions in personal injury insurance defense
cases, and served as docket clerk.

SENIOR MUTUAL FUND ACCOUNTANT, Bisys Fund Services, Columbus, OH 2003 – 2005
Managed mutual fund accounting and analytics.
Prepared SEC filings required to maintain fund registration.

REGISTERED CLIENT ASSOCIATE, Merrill Lynch, Dayton, OH 2002 – 2003

Provided information, support, and follow-up to 100 high net worth individuals, and assisted
in communications, marketing, and stock trading; ensuring satisfaction and retention.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES / PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

JURIS DOCTOR, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 2008
President – Moot Court Honor Society Litigation Certificate Dean’s List
Jessup International Moot Court Team Legal Intern Certificate

BACHELOR OF JOURNALISM, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 2002

News Reporter and Feature Writer, The Guardian

FINRA Licenses: Series 7 and 66

Akron Bar Association Scanlon Inns of Court

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The University of Akron Moot Court Team Coach – national championship winning team 2010.
OpenM Legal Clinic – represented pro bono clients on foreclosures, credit card debt, and expungements.
Fugitive Safe Surrender Program 2007 – represented 75 indigent individuals on misdemeanor charges.