Caryn Peterson is an accomplished attorney with over 15 years of experience in federal law, government service, and private practice. She focuses on appeals and critical motions across a wide range of subject areas, including white collar criminal defense to complex civil litigation, with an emphasis on dispositive motions, appellate issues, and developing creative legal strategies.

Ms. Peterson’s extensive career prior to joining Flannery | Georgalis includes four federal clerkships at both the appellate and district court levels, reflecting her deep understanding of the inner workings of the court and the judicial decision-making process. She has significant experience in the Northern District of Ohio, having served as law clerk for Judge John. R. Adams and, most recently, for Magistrate Judge Carmen E. Henderson. As a former federal law clerk, Ms. Peterson has managed a wide range of cases, from complex civil litigation to criminal matters involving over 100 defendants. She brings valuable expertise in legal strategy, research, and writing, along with insight into case management, court procedure, discovery, and trials.

Prior to her federal clerkship experience, Ms. Peterson practiced as an attorney at a mid-size law firm in Akron, Ohio. There she handled general litigation, including commercial litigation, civil rights, personal injury, appellate, and criminal defense.

Education

University of Akron School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2007)
Augustana College (B.A., Mathematics, cum laude, 2002)

Admissions

Ohio
Northern District of Ohio

Government Service

Career Law Clerk, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (Magistrate Judge) (2020-2025)
Career Law Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (2016-2020)
Career Law Clerk, U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico (2014-2016)
Term Law Clerk, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (2011-2014)
Extern, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio (2006)
Extern, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (2006)

Professional Memberships

Federal Bar Association
Stark County Bar Association
Scanlon-Bell Inn of Court (2006-2018, 2021-2024)
Akron Bar Association (2007-2011, 2021-2022) Co-Founder of the Women in Law Section (2009)

Awards & Recognitions

McDowell Scholar (2006-2007)
Advocate on University of Akron School of Law’s Trial Team
CALI Award for academic excellence in Federal Court Practice

Community Service

Open M Legal Clinic (2007-2011)
Junior League of Akron (2012-2014)
Coach of the University of Akron School of Law Mock Trial Team (2007-2014)
Volunteer with the Lake High School Mock Trial Team
Guest Presenter for the University of Akron School of Law Law, Morals, and Ethics (2008-2013)
Hills & Dales Owners’ Association (President, Trustee, Committee Chair)
Akron Canton Barristers Judicial Externship Program (Founder)