James Bernhardt, Jr.
Staff Attorney

Education: University of Akron School of Law, J.D.
Kent State University, B.A. International Relations

Practice: Criminal law

James Bernhardt has been with the Legal Defender’s Office since June 2012. Before joining the Summit Legal Defenders office, James had a private practice specializing in Criminal Defense from 2008–2012. He has also worked as an attorney with the City of Stow Law Department.

James graduated from the University of Akron School of Law in 2007. He was admitted to practice in Ohio that same year. James was an Assistant Editor for the Akron Law Review during law school and volunteered for the New Business Legal Clinic. He also interned with the City of Stow Law Department and the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.

James is a 1994 graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. James also did graduate work at Bowling Green State University and Paris Lodron University in Salzburg, Austria. From 1998–2004, James worked in the IT industry as a computer programmer and an instructor in software development and web design.

James is proficient in German.

BACK TO TEAM