Slater & Zurz’s Firm History
Jim Slater had already built a respected career handling everything from personal injury to real estate disputes and commercial litigation. Rick Zurz, whose father and grandfather were both Ohio judges, brought a litigator’s edge and deep ties to the Akron legal community.
In 1991, the two joined forces. Along with a handful of trusted colleagues, they formed a firm with a clear mission: deliver results, treat clients with respect, and never be outworked.
And so, from the start, the team took on cases that others avoided, such as complex injuries, challenging liability questions, and powerful defendants. And they won. Not because they had more attorneys or a bigger budget, but because they were prepared, strategic, and relentless.
Over the years, Slater & Zurz grew deliberately. The duo opened multiple offices across Ohio, and more attorneys joined because they shared the firm’s collaborative and client-first philosophy. Today, that founding spirit still drives every case we take.
After more than thirty years of helping clients, Jim Slater retired in 2024. His legacy of successfully representing clients facing significant legal challenges lives on with the partners and legal professionals who pursue justice for their clients.