Plakas Mannos is thrilled to announce that Retired Judge W. Scott Gwin is joining our firm. Attorney Gwin was Judge Gwin for 36 years, until his recent retirement from the Fifth District Court of Appeals on February 9, 2024. At the time of his retirement, he was the most senior appellate court judge then serving in the state of Ohio. The addition of Retired Judge Gwin to our legal team gives our clients – and the rest of our team – all of the benefits of his several decades of judicial knowledge and insight. We could not be more excited to be welcoming Retired Judge Gwin and his family to our legal jungle.
Retired Judge Gwin’s Renowned Legal and Judicial Career
Retired Judge Gwin began his legal career as a bailiff in the Stark County Common Pleas Court, and then interned for both the Stark County Public Defender’s Office and the Canton City Law Department. He was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1976 and practiced law at the law firm of Gwin, Moushey, Tangi & Giua, where he handed both civil and criminal cases in Northeast Ohio. He also served as an Assistant Attorney General for ODOT. Retired Judge Gwin became Law Director for the City of Canton, and appeared before U.S. Supreme Court, the Sixth District Court of Appeals, and Ohio’s District Courts, among others.
In 1989, Retired Judge Gwin transitioned from legal practice to the judiciary when he was elected as Judge of the Fifth District Court of Appeal. He served in this position for 36 years, during which time he was also a visiting judge on the Supreme Court of Ohio, and served multiple terms as presiding judge and administrative judge on the Court of Appeals.
In addition to his work on the Court of Appeals, Retired Judge Gwin also served on the Ohio Judicial Conference Executive Committee, and Continuing Legal Education Committee. He has instructed appellate procedure and legal ethics and has held officer/board positions with the Ohio Court of Appeals Association and Advisory Committee on Court Security for the Supreme Court of Ohio for five years.
Retired Judge Gwin’s Value to Plakas Mannos Clients
Retired Judge Gwin will be a tremendous asset to the clients of Plakas Mannos, drawing from his decades of experience presiding over appellate arguments, reviewing appellate briefs, researching and weighing legal issues, and drafting judicial opinions. His deep understanding of appellate law and keen insight into the nuances of appellate procedures will be invaluable in crafting and presenting effective legal strategies for our clients. Also, with his wealth of experience as both a litigator and a former Law Director for the City of Canton, he brings a unique perspective to the table, offering clients strategic guidance rooted in a thorough understanding of the law and legal process.
Retired Judge Gwin’s Commitment to the Stark County Legal Community
In addition to his decades of legal and judicial service, Retired Judge Gwin has also volunteered his time to serve the legal community throughout his career. He has served on Ohio’s Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, was appointed Master Commissioner, and also has served on a number of Supreme Court committees focused on judicial ethics, liability, and security a dedicate. Retired Judge Gwin has also served as a judicial mentor to other judges in the Judge Mentoring Program and as a mentor to lawyers in the Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program.
He has also volunteered his time and energy to a number of Northeast Ohio community organizations. He has served on the boards of trustees of the Downtown YMCA, the Stark County Library Foundation, the Canton Athletic Club and a number of other non-profit organizations.
Retired Judge Gwin’s excellence has been recognized in Northeast Ohio and beyond. He was named Outstanding Young Man in America in 1983 and received the Outstanding Alumni award from the Akron University School of Law in 2015. In December 2024, he was honored by the U.S. House of Representatives for his decades of judicial service.
Retired Judge Gwin’s Lifetime Commitment to Canton and the Law
Retired Judge Gwin is a lifelong resident of Stark County. He graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School, John Carroll University, and the University of Akron School of Law. He and his wife, Monica, are proud parents of two accomplished children— Molly, who is a lawyer in Columbus, and Zach, who is a Franklin County Municipal Court Judge. They also have four grandchildren.
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
