Plakas Mannos is excited to announce that Gene Valentino, current law clerk at the firm, will continue moving forward in excellence as associate attorney upon graduation and passing the bar. Gene’s continued presence brings fresh perspective and talent to our pride. Gene is a first-generation college and law student, who will be graduating in May 2026 with both a Juris Doctor and a Master of Taxation from The University of Akron, School of Law. He will sit for the July 2026 bar and, upon successful admission, join Plakas Mannos as an associate attorney. We are eager to see Gene grow as an attorney and continue to contribute to our firm’s success!
Now, let’s get to know Plakas Mannos associate-to-be Gene Valentino.
Q: What made you want to apply for the law clerk position and continue as an associate here at Plakas Mannos?
A: I owe the introduction to my dear friend and Akron Law alumnus Victor Datkwa, who encouraged me to apply after meeting Collin and Maria at a social event. I wasn’t even sure clerking was realistic while supporting a family—but I took a chance and applied. The interview in Canton was rigorous. Tough questions. Serious lawyers. High standards. And yet, it was energizing. I didn’t feel the need to perform or posture. I could simply be myself. Many students say they “chose” their firm. In all humility, I’m grateful Plakas Mannos chose me. It was demanding—and immediately felt like home.
Q: What attributes make Plakas Mannos stand apart from other law firms?
A: Excellence here isn’t chased—it’s assumed.
There’s trust. There’s ownership. There’s an expectation of excellence that’s internal, not imposed. You’re surrounded by people who demand more of themselves than anyone else ever could, and that standard becomes contagious.
What truly sets Plakas Mannos apart is that excellence runs through every role in the firm. From attorneys to our administrative professionals and support staff, the expectation is the same—be the best at what you do. That consistency shows up in the work and in the culture. The exposure here is unmatched. I’ve sat next to clients in mediations and arbitrations, knowing that the work I’m doing—even as a clerk—actually matters. I’ve worked directly with experienced trial lawyers on active litigation, seeing how preparation turns into real decisions.
I’ve also had the opportunity to learn outside the office—whether to discuss case strategy on the golf course with Judge Gwin or watching how seasoned litigators think through risk, leverage, and resolution. That kind of access accelerates growth in ways you can’t replicate. Every mentor I spoke with, once opportunities started coming my way, told me the same thing: if you have the chance to clerk at Plakas Mannos, take it. And they were right.
Q: What skills and experience do you contribute to the team here at Plakas Mannos?
A: Once I committed to pursuing law school, I treated it as a two-year preparation process. During that time—and up until I accepted my clerkship at Plakas Mannos—I intentionally transitioned from sales leadership into a paralegal role to gain hands-on legal experience. That path gave me years of practical foundation: working directly with clients, managing claims and case files, navigating subrogation issues, and understanding how cases move from intake to resolution. It allows me to contribute meaningfully from day one and support the litigation team in ways that matter.
Q: What support has Plakas Mannos given you, to help you advance your skills and career?
A: This firm prepares you to operate at the highest level, because that’s the only level it recognizes. Plakas Mannos has given me flexibility where it mattered and rigor where it counted. My workload has been intentionally designed to sharpen my strengths while stretching me into new areas. It’s refinement in an environment that doesn’t tolerate shortcuts. That combination, support without compromise, is rare.
Q: Tell us about you and your family?
A: Any success I have is shared. Law school was a family effort.
None of this happens alone. My wife, Kristina—who is far smarter than I am—has carried our family through this season with uncommon grace. She’s been home with our five children while encouraging me daily toward graduation and a career here at Plakas Mannos. I’d be remiss not to say plainly: she deserves most of the credit, second only to Christ. The long nights and missed moments were for them—and always with them in mind.
Q: What made you want to practice law?
A: I always hoped I would become a lawyer. For a long time, it felt out of reach—but never unrealistic. When Kristina and I first met, I told her directly that becoming a lawyer was my goal. She never treated it like a dream. She acted as if it was already decided, like the die was already cast, even during years when we were working full time, raising a family, and building careers outside the law.
Growing up, I enjoyed watching lawyers in movies, especially litigators. And yes—part of it was the showmanship. Standing up, owning the room, and making the argument when it matters. That appealed to me. Still does. People around me saw it too—teachers, friends, supervisors, colleagues, and even business clients often told me I should be a lawyer, reinforcing something I always knew.
Before law school, I spent years in business-to-business and consumer sales leadership. I regularly presented and defended proposals before executive teams, boards, and decision-making committees. Much of that work involved navigating complex regulatory and permitting environments, coordinating across multiple stakeholders, and bringing parties with competing interests to the same table. Progress depended on preparation, credibility, and the ability to find common ground without giving ground unnecessarily. It seemed to me that, at some point, law became the natural next step because it builds on that same work—evaluating risk, persuading decision-makers, and helping opposing sides move forward when the stakes are real. That’s the environment I work best in.
Q: Can you talk to us about your law school experience while clerking at Plakas Mannos?
A: Law school has been demanding from day one. When I started, Kristina and I had just welcomed our fourth child. As we approach the finish line, we’ve welcomed our fifth.
Clerking at Plakas Mannos changed everything. From early on, I was entrusted with substantive work tailored to my skill set. Over time, that trust deepened. Today, I have a balance of new challenges and familiar casework where the team knows they can rely on me. The flexibility Plakas Mannos extended to support my family—without lowering expectations—made excellence possible rather than theoretical.
Plakas Mannos didn’t just accommodate my circumstances—they expected me to rise to them.
Praise for Gene from Attorney W. Scott Gwin
Over the past year, Gene has worked very closely with former Judge and now Attorney of Counsel, W. Scott Gwin. Scott spoke on his time with Gene as they work together at Plakas Mannos.
“I have encountered few aspiring young lawyers that are as impressive in both accomplishment and character. Gene has excelled academically, consistently demonstrating strong analytical ability, sound judgment, and a disciplined approach to complex legal problems. What makes these achievements particularly noteworthy is that Gene has accomplished them while raising five young children. Balancing a family and rigorous law studies is extremely challenging and he has excelled at both. Gene’s prepared, reliable, and thoughtful qualities are indispensable in the practice of law.”
Making the Switch from Clerk to Associate Attorney
Transitioning from law student and clerk to associate attorney is a significant step, demanding a blend of academic knowledge and practical application. Plakas Mannos plays a crucial role in this transition, by treating law clerks as vital members of the team so that they have a true picture of life as an associate attorney. This approach not only provides a realistic preview of the profession but also instills a sense of responsibility and understanding of the legal field's demands. By fostering such an environment, Plakas Mannos promotes excellence at every level, ensuring that new associates are well-prepared to meet the challenges of their new role and contribute effectively to the firm's hallmark: achieving excellent results for our clients. Gene Valentino has risen to the occasion, and we could not be more proud to welcome Gene as a Plakas Mannos Law Lion.
About the Author
Leah Young is an administrative professional specializing in marketing at Plakas Mannos.
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