50 Years in Law: Insights from Lee Plakas & Scott Gwin

Plakas Mannos congratulates and celebrates our Managing Member, Lee Plakas, and Retired Judge Scott Gwin's remarkable achievement of practicing law for 50 years. Reaching this 50-year milestone in law is a testament to their unwavering commitment to justice and to our community. Since their law school graduation in 1976, and throughout their distinguished careers as experienced lawyers over the past five decades, Lee and Scott have exemplified the highest standards of legal excellence, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues, clients, and the community alike. Their legacy serves as an inspiration to aspiring attorneys, demonstrating the transformative power of law when guided by integrity, compassion, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact.  

What are the most striking changes you have seen in 50 years of practice?

Attorney Plakas: 50 years ago, it was common to regularly be in trials in all kinds of civil cases. In more recent years, with the push towards more and better alternative dispute resolution, more and more cases are settled at mediation or prior to trial. Sometimes that is beneficial for clients, but oftentimes it is in the crucible of the courtroom that the truth really comes out. Even if the frequency of trials has decreased in 50 years, I can say that my enjoyment of the jury trial process has not decreased at all.

Attorney Gwin: Technology would be one area that I would definitely point to. Material has gone from paper to digital, and so much of the practice of law now involves computers and the ability to utilize them to conduct the practice of law on a daily basis. Now, research is online. Law library report digests, which were once essential research materials used to guide case direction, have largely been replaced by computers and the ability to conduct that research right at your desk. Additionally, the filings are no longer submitted to the clerk of court with a traditional paper trail, which was historically how the practice of law was conducted. Now, it’s all electronic; There’s e-filing, and communications between lawyers involve email, PDFs, and electronic discovery. As a result, technology has been perhaps the single largest factor influencing how the practice of law has evolved, in my opinion. Once research that took days now takes just minutes because it can be done right at your desk, and because of that, productivity expectations have risen sharply, as well as issues dealing with timelines, and all those factors are a byproduct of the electronic revolution.

When you look back on the last 50 years of practice, what are you most proud of?

Attorney Plakas: The result in the iconic Gibsons Brothers Bakery vs Oberlin College Case is a once-in-a-lifetime type of case that is hard to top as a highlight. I am very proud not only of the result we were able to achieve in that case, but also of our clients’ resolve to allow us to fight for them, and our team of experienced lawyers’ commitment to fighting for the Gibsons family despite being “David” in that David and Goliath situation. But what has come after the verdict, and the Emmy for CBS’s Sunday Morning’s piece on the Gibsons’ case, is an integral part of what makes our firm different – and what I have strived to do over the past 50 years. For the last several years, I have presented countless continuing legal education presentations to lawyers and judges across Ohio and Pennsylvania as well. In addition to wanting to achieve excellence for our clients, it is important to me – and to our firm – that we give back and help other lawyers be able to achieve results like this as well. And in addition to the victories we have had in the courtroom, I am proud of the firm that we have been able to build. What started as just a handful of lawyers in a small office has grown into a firm of many of the best and brightest lawyers, paralegals, and administrative professionals I have encountered. It is impossible to be surrounded by our team and not be proud of what we have built – and what we have done and continue to do for our clients every day.

Attorney Gwin: Being elected twice as Law Director of the City of Canton and six consecutive times as a judge on the Fifth District Court of Appeals are among my most significant legal and political achievements one case that I handled stands out as a unique case in my career and that was an appearance in front of the United States Supreme Court, where the city of Canton had been found liable for a case involving false imprisonment the case went all the way to the United States Supreme Court, and I along with co-council argued the case, and ultimately was successful in having the verdict against the city of Canton reversed.

How do you foresee the practice of law changing in the next 50 years?

Attorney Plakas: AI has already shown itself to be transformative in the medical and other professions, and I would expect to see continued advances in that area in the legal field as well.   

Attorney Gwin: I think technology will continue to influence the practice of law at every level, and the use of electronic resources will become even more important. 

What motivates you to continue practicing law after 5 decades?

Attorney Plakas: I am guided by a quote attributed to Aristotle, that excellence is what we repeatedly do; it is not an act, but a habit. After five decades of practicing law and striving to achieve excellence, it has become a habit. For 50 years, I have repeatedly represented and worked with clients to achieve their goals and objectives. You cannot do this job for 50 years unless it is more than a job.  It has been a privilege to practice all of these years, and it continues to be.    

Attorney Gwin: I enjoy the camaraderie of the interaction with the people in the office and the challenge to provide quality legal representation to our clients.  

Over the past 50 years, since 1976, the legal landscape has changed again and again. Yet, amidst this whirlwind of change, attorneys Lee Plakas and Scott Gwin have remained steadfast pillars of the Stark County legal community, adapting to their practices while upholding timeless principles of justice, ethics, and client advocacy. Their enduring presence – and willingness to continue to evolve to best represent our clients – reminds us that while the tools and context may change over the years, the pursuit of truth and fairness remains constant.  

Put Decades of Experience to Work for You

For over 60 years, our attorneys have remained committed to delivering exceptional legal representation rooted in integrity, experience, and results. From the courtroom to the evolving digital landscape of modern law, our team has adapted while staying true to what matters most: advocating for our clients and pursuing the truth. 

Whether navigating complex litigation, leveraging modern legal technology, or guiding cases toward resolution, we bring a depth of knowledge shaped by decades of real-world experience. Our attorneys have handled high-stakes cases, argued at the highest levels, and remain dedicated to achieving meaningful outcomes for those we represent. 

If you need an experienced trial attorney, you can connect with Plakas Mannos and discover how our team can support you with proven experience and a commitment to excellence.