Burdon & Merlitti - Akron, OH
Burdon & Merlitti in Akron, Ohio, is an elite civil and criminal litigation firm with over 40 years of service. Specializing in aggressive criminal defense, OVI defense, and personal injury representation, their highly respected trial lawyers fight tirelessly to protect clients' freedom and maximize recovery.
Over Four Decades of Exceptional Trial Advocacy at Burdon & Merlitti
When your freedom, professional reputation, or physical recovery is on the line, you cannot afford to settle for anything less than proven courtroom experience. The Law Firm of Burdon & Merlitti, situated in downtown Akron, Ohio, has served as a powerhouse of civil and criminal litigation since 1984. For more than forty years, the firm has defended the rights and protected the futures of individuals in Summit County and across Northeast Ohio. Co-founded by the late, legendary criminal defense attorney James L. Burdon-widely regarded as one of the preeminent defense minds in local history-and managed by experienced trial lawyer James A. Merlitti, the firm maintains an uncompromising commitment to legal excellence, meticulous research, and aggressive courtroom representation. If you need to find an attorney who is respected by local prosecutors, feared by insurance corporations, and deeply committed to securing your best interests, this downtown Akron practice is ready to stand by your side.
Powerful Representation in Criminal Defense and Accident Claims
Burdon & Merlitti brings a highly sophisticated and trial-tested approach to every case. The firm provides expert representation across several key practice categories, including:
- Criminal Defense Lawyers: Crafting strategic defenses against state and federal allegations, ranging from misdemeanor theft and assault to high-profile white-collar fraud, embezzlement, and complex homicide trials.
- DUI and OVI Defense Lawyers: Helping drivers challenge operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) charges, question chemical breath test accuracy, protect their commercial driver's licenses (CDL), and secure driving privileges.
- Accident and Injury Lawyers: Representing individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries due to the negligence of others, ensuring they recover maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and suffering.
- Drug Crime Defense: Defending clients against charges of drug possession, manufacturing, distribution, and federal trafficking operations with strategic, pre-trial motion practice.
- Car and Truck Accident Claims: Investigating auto wrecks and commercial semi-truck collisions to hold negligent parties and powerful insurance companies fully accountable.
The Burdon & Merlitti Difference
What sets Burdon & Merlitti apart is their remarkable legacy and unparalleled standing in the Ohio legal community. The firm's defense strategies are built on a tradition of absolute preparation and intellectual rigor, a methodology perfected over decades of high-profile litigation. Attorneys at the firm, including partner Joseph Francis Gorman and Nathan A. Ray, are frequently recognized by Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and local bar associations for their exceptional ethical standards and trial prowess. Clients routinely praise their dedicated paralegal staff and attorneys for providing direct, transparent communication and comforting support during life's most stressful crises. When you choose to order an attorney from this office, you benefit from a collective brain trust of legal professionals who know how to identify crucial evidentiary flaws and leverage them for a dismissal or favorable settlement.
Contact Our Downtown Akron Office Today
In both personal injury and criminal defense matters, acting quickly is critical to preserving key evidence, interviewing witnesses, and protecting your legal rights. Burdon & Merlitti is conveniently located on South Main Street in the heart of downtown Akron, easily accessible from the Cascade Parking Deck. The firm is open Monday through Friday and provides 24/7 availability for emergency consultations. They offer completely free initial consultations for personal injury victims and operate on a contingency-fee model for accident claims. Flexible retainer arrangements are available for criminal defense files. Call today to schedule your confidential case review and secure the elite representation your future demands.
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Location & Access
Primary Address
The office is situated at 159 S Main St in downtown Akron, Ohio, located near local dining favorites like The Lockview and the cultural Akron History Center.
Building Location
The office is housed in the historic 11-story 159 Main building (historically known as the Law Building or First-Second National Bank Building), originally constructed in 1899 and fully renovated in 2021. It features pedestrian skywalk access directly connecting it to a nearby municipal parking garage.
Parking Details
Convenient parking is available in the connected municipal parking garage, which features a direct covered skywalk leading straight into the building.
Public Transit
Served by METRO RTA Route 1 (West Market); nearest stop is at S. Main St & Bowery St.
Accessibility / Suite Access
Enter the historic 159 Main building through the main entrance on S Main St. Take the elevator to the 4th floor, and you will find the office in Suite 401.