Girl Scouts honor Hudson lawyer for work with immigrants

by Patty Reiman

Hudson resident Tania Nemer will be honored by Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio when she receives one of the Women of Distinction Awards for 2021 at their award ceremony on May 7. These annual awards recognize women in Northeast Ohio who do exceptional work in their community and who inspire and support opportunities for young girls.

Nemer, an attorney, is the community outreach prosecutor in the office of the Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh.

“When I look at the roster of previous women who received this award, I am truly humbled to be amongst them,” said Nemer.

Nemer has been practicing law for more than 14 years. Much of her career has been spent defending immigrants in Ohio. On several occasions, she volunteered at the U.S.-Mexico border – specifically the Dilley Family Detention Center in Texas – to support immigrants as they seek asylum, meeting them sometimes within hours of their border crossing.

“I met with victims of crime, all mothers and their children, and heard their experiences as to why they were seeking asylum and what persecution they suffered in their home countries, primarily Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador,” said Nemer, noting that those three countries are the top three in per capita murder rates globally.

She sees a connection between the Girl Scouts’ mission and freedom sought by immigrants.

“The Girl Scouts encourage girls to become risk takers, to think outside the box and work hard to achieve their goals. This is what immigrants do. They risk leaving their entire life to come to the United States and make a better life,” she said.

Nemer participated in Girl Scouts growing up. She has one daughter currently participating in the Girl Scout Leadership Journey and a younger daughter in Brownie Troop 91287 led by Lisa Donatelli Dudley. Nemer speaks to many troops and area members about citizenship, laws, decision-making, peace-building, self-defense and safety.

Nemer’s parents immigrated to the U.S. from Lebanon about 45 years ago and she grew up surrounded by a large extended family and Lebanese traditions. Problem solving and volunteerism took hold of Nemer, who admits having, “a tough time saying ‘no’ because there are so many worthwhile causes.”

In addition to public engagement, she values her current involvement with the Hudson City Schools Cultural Proficiency Advisory Committee. She is part of this group of students, staff, parents and community members who make recommendations to Superintendent Phil Herman regarding diversity, equity and inclusion within the school district.

Another favored volunteer effort is her work on Welcoming the Stranger Committee, which is part of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. The committee works with different churches and organizations to support immigrants with their needs ranging from legal representation to housing.

Nemer’s current employment with the county prosecutor involves education and outreach programs aimed at improving safety within the community and protecting victims. Nemer organizes the Citizens Academy to educate community members on issues facing the prosecutor’s office, such as gun violence and sex crimes. In 2020, classes were held virtually, and 40 participants graduated from the academy.

In 2020, Nemer was recognized for her work to support women and girls when the Ohio Bar Association gave her the Nettie Cronise Lutes Award, which honors an outstanding female lawyer and is named for the first woman to practice law in the state of Ohio.

Nemer’s career since graduating with distinction from Western Michigan University Law School has included managing a private practice as well as a defending attorney with Catholic Charities and managing attorney at the International Institute of Akron. She also was a magistrate in the Akron Municipal Court before her current position.

She graduated from Walsh Jesuit High School and John Carroll University.

She and her husband have lived in Hudson for 10 years, and they have three children. ∞