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Summit County attorney appointed to UA Board of Trustees
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: September 17, 2021
A longtime Summit County attorney and alumna of The University of Akron (UA) and its law school has taken her seat on the UA Board of Trustees.
Cuyahoga Falls resident Trina M. Carter officially began her term on July 30 after being appointed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to fill the vacancy left by former trustee Olivia Demas, whose term ended on July 1.
“I was very honored and excited when I learned that I had been appointed,” said Carter. “As an alumna of the College of Business and School of Law, I have a special place in my heart for this university. I look forward to working with the board to continue our strong, proud traditions.
“Serving on the board of trustees is a huge responsibility,” said Carter, who attended her first meeting on Aug. 11. “The board is the governing body of this public institution. We are in charge of selecting and appointing the president, setting the operating budget, approving contracts, rules, regulations, new programs and curriculum changes.
“We are also responsible for personnel appointments and must approve the conferment of all degrees, including honorary degrees,” said Carter, whose term ends July 1, 2030.
In a press release, UA Board of Trustees Chair Joseph M. Gingo stated, “Trina Carter is an excellent addition to the board. Her legal background and ties to the university as a two-time alumna will benefit board discussions and will certainly bring a fresh perspective.”
Born in Ravenna, Ohio, Carter grew up in Tallmadge, earning her undergraduate and law degrees from The University of Akron.
During law school, she worked as a law clerk for McNamara, Freeman & Daily.
After passing the bar exam in 1998, Carter opened a law office in Tallmadge, where she handled general civil matters, with a focus on probate issues.
In January 2000, she joined Emershaw, Mushkat & Schneier in Akron.
“I initially did a lot of probate and domestic relations work, but as time went on I began representing injured workers in workers’ compensation cases,” said Carter. “I still did a lot of probate, but I stopped handling domestic relations work.”
Later Carter became the firm’s office manager, while continuing to represent clients.
She is currently a part-time solo practitioner and serves as the project manager for the Crasi Company, which specializes in designing and building custom homes and whole house renovations.
While working as a project manager may seem like a complete pivot from her role as an attorney, Carter said she’s been interested in construction and interior design since she was a teenager and has accumulated quite a bit of work experience in the area.
"From the time I was 14 until I attended law school, I worked for Carter Lumber Company,” said Carter. “The company was started by my great-grandfather and expanded by my grandfather. Carter Lumber sells lumber and general building supplies.”
Today she serves on the board of directors of Carter Lumber. She’s also a former board member of HBA (Home Builders Association) of Summit and Portage Counties and a former elected member of the Tallmadge Board of Education.
Carter’s other community commitments include vice president of the CHC Foundation, which supports the activities and goals of CHC Addiction Services.
As the newest trustee to join the board, Carter said her goal is to help ensure that the university continues to excel and grow.
“All universities are facing big challenges and changes,” said Carter. “I am committed to doing whatever I can to help UA meet and overcome any current and future obstacles that come its way.
“I have been blessed to work with so many wonderful attorneys, judges and legal assistants over the past 20 plus years,” said Carter. “All the knowledge and experience that I’ve gained from them will definitely help me in my service to The University of Akron.”