Attorney Adam VanHo
Akron Criminal Defense Attorney
As a veteran Akron defense attorney, Adam VanHo has worked on a number of cases that have garnered national and international attention, earning a reputation as one of the toughest trial and appellate lawyers in the state of Ohio. Adam provides strong legal representation and experienced guidance to individuals facing criminal charges. He proudly defends clients accused of misdemeanor and felony offenses. From OVI to violent crimes, Adam is prepared to tackle all types of criminal matters. As a former prosecutor, he is well-versed on defense strategies and building strong cases.
Experience
In his years of experience, Attorney Adam VanHo has handled thousands of cases, ranging from DUI to capital murder. As a skilled attorney, Adam has had the opportunity to defend the criminally accused in courts throughout Ohio, including Common Pleas, Municipal, and Mayor’s Courts. Attorney Adam VanHo also has extensive appellate trial experience and regularly appears in a number of Courts of Appeals, the U.S. District Court, and even the Ohio and U.S. Supreme Courts. Adam’s prior experience includes being an Assistant Ohio Attorney General, during which he was a member of the elite Capital Crimes Unit, the Child and Elder Abuse Unit, and the Special Prosecutions Section. He had served as a special prosecutor in both Jefferson and Summit counties, and handled cases on behalf of the Ohio Organized Crimes Investigations Commission (OOCIC). Adam also served as an assistant county prosecutor for Montgomery and Summit counties. In these roles, he prosecuted both misdemeanors and felonies, earning the nickname “The Hammer” from Sheriff’s deputies. Adam is among a small number of lawyers who have been certified by the Ohio Supreme Court to represent indigent individuals in capital murder cases at both the trial and appellate levels.
Former Prosecutor Benefits
Adam’s prior experience includes time spent as an Assistant Ohio Attorney General, during which he was a member of the elite Capital Crimes Unit, the Child and Elder Abuse Unit, and the Special Prosecutions Section. He had the opportunity to serve as a special prosecutor in both Jefferson and Summit counties, and handled cases on behalf of the Ohio Organized Crimes Investigations Commission (OOCIC). Adam also served as an assistant county prosecutor for Montgomery and Summit counties. In these roles, he prosecuted both misdemeanors and felonies, earning the nickname “The Hammer” from Sheriff’s deputies in Summit County. In handling hundreds of grand jury proceedings, Adam was able to gain valuable insight into the world of criminal defense. In addition to representing clients at his own practice, Adam also serves as of counsel at Burdon and Merlitti, a premier Akron criminal defense firm. Adam is among a small number of lawyers who have been certified by the Ohio Supreme Court to represent indigent individuals in capital murder cases at both the trial and appellate levels.
Education & Qualifications
Adam VanHo is a graduate of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University, where he worked in the Environmental Law Clinic, was an active member of the trial team, and was the Articles Editor for the Cleveland State Law Review. He also had the opportunity to intern at the Philadelphia, PA District Attorney’s office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. As an intern, he worked on the third trial of Bay Village doctor Sam Sheppard. Adam also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Allegheny College, and completed his post-graduate coursework in economics and business at Xavier University.
He is licensed to practice before:
- All Ohio state courts
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
- United States Supreme Court
- International Criminal Court
- United States Court of International Trade
Adam’s current and previous memberships include:
- Greater Akron Chamber
- The Italian-American Citizens Club
- The Sons and Daughters of Herman
- American, Ohio, Dayton and Akron Bar Associations
- The League of Women Voters of the Akron Area
- First United Methodist Church of Cuyahoga Falls