Born in Akron, Ohio, Hal attended Buchtel High School and then Princeton University where he received his A.B. degree in Chemistry. While at Princeton, Hal lettered for three years rowing on the varsity heavyweight crew. Four years after graduating from Princeton, Hal returned to school to study law. He earned his J.D. degree at the University of Akron, School of Law in 1972.
Hal worked for 38 years at The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, now known as Bridgestone Firestone. During his first 15 years with the company, Hal held various positions in tire development and quality assurance, including five years in Indianapolis Race Tire Development working with the prominent drivers at the time including Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones, and Jimmy Clark. In 1979, he joined the Bridgestone Firestone Law Department, working principally in product litigation and eventually became Chief Counsel – Litigation.
In 2003, Hal joined Hanna, Campbell & Powell and since that time, his practice has focused primarily on Federal regulatory matters, particularly dealing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the interaction with the tire and automotive industries.
Hal was admitted to practice in Ohio in 1972 and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in 1992. He is also a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Akron Bar Association. Hal has been affiliated with the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC) from 1992 to the present and serves on the Tire Policy Committee of the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association.
Hal enjoys traveling, particularly internationally and in the Rocky Mountains and Western states. He and his wife, Jacqueline, have two grown children, Lisa and Scott and four grandchildren, Hailey, Braeden, Julia, and Daniel.
Professional Info
COURTS + BAR ASSOCIATIONS
- Ohio Supreme Court (1972)
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (1992)
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Akron Bar Association
PROFESSIONAL + CIVIC AFFILIATIONS
- Defense Research Institute
- Product Liability Advisory Council, 1992–2003
- Chairman, Bath Township Zoning Commission, 1980–1994
- Leadership Akron (Class of 2000)
- Board Member, Akron Better Business Bureau, 1985–1995
- Board Member, Summit Choral Society
- Trustee and Executive Board Member, Coming Together Akron, 2001 – Present
- New Covenant Community Church (1994–present)
- Founding Member and Governing Board Member
- Chairman, Akron Princeton Alumni Schools Committee (1967 – Present)
EDUCATION
- University of Akron (J.D., 1972)
- Princeton University (B.S. Chemistry, 1964)