Warner Mendenhall, 64, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2026, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born in Durham, NC in February 1962 and lived a meaningful and full life.

A dedicated advocate for justice, Warner earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Akron School of Law in 1998. His path to the law was inspired by his time serving on the Akron City Council from 1992 to 1995. Warner went on to become the founding attorney of the Mendenhall Law Group (formerly the Law Office of Warner Mendenhall) and later founded Freedom Counsel, an organization dedicated to helping lawyers, experts, and citizens understand and address government overreach, corporate misconduct, and systemic shortcomings. In every role, he was tireless in his fight against corruption and the abuse of power.

Warner was the beloved husband of Kelly Mendenhall; adoring father of Britney (Tony) Edwards, Thomas Mendenhall and Lilly Mendenhall; proud grandfather of Sloane and Leo Edwards; caring big brother to David Mendenhall, Blair (Lisa) Mendenhall, and Mary (Olivier Diaz) Mendenhall; and dear stepson to Judy Mendenhall. Warner was preceded in death by his mother, Carol C. Mendenhall, and his father, Warner D. Mendenhall, II.

The family will hold a private ceremony to honor Warner’s life.

He fought bravely and loved deeply.