Ohio Lawyers

I earned my Juris Doctorate in 1985 and my Bachelor of Arts degree (cum laude with distinction in Economics and honors in Liberal Arts) in 1981, both from THE Ohio State University (Go Bucks!). I continued to send lots and lots of money to Ohio State as each of my 4 sons attended there (my daughter went to Otterbein) but still can never seem to get football tickets. I was elected to Phi Beta Kappa at OSU and enjoyed undergraduate life there. Law school was not nearly as fun. Over the years, I have handled literally thousands of cases before...

Nick Weiss opened his practice after years of civil litigation and in-house counsel experience. A transplant from Maine, he now represents families, individuals, and businesses, throughout northeast Ohio. He is proud to have been AV Preeminent rated by Martindale Hubbell every year since 2020 and is an Ohio Rising Star on Superlawyers.

Nova Levante is a managing attorney at Leo Law where she focuses on family law, estate planning, and bankruptcy. Throughout her years of practice, Nova has helped countless families navigate complex legal issues and find peaceful resolutions to difficult situations. Nova's clients appreciate her empathetic approach, as well as her extensive knowledge of the law. She has successfully represented clients in a wide range of cases, from high-conflict divorces to complex bankruptcies. Whenever possible, Nova works to reduce conflict in family law cases through mediation and collaborative divorce. In addition, Nova is a dedicated Guardian Ad Litem representing the best interests of...

I am a trial attorney in Cleveland, Ohio. I primarily focus on real estate litigation and business litigation. I have experience with contract dispute resolution for companies large and small, and I have represented both landlords and tenants in housing matters. I have litigated cases at the trial court and appellate court levels on the State of Ohio, as well as both the Northern and Southern District Courts of Ohio and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. I have successfully moved to deny certiori before the Supreme Court of Ohio. I am focused on dispute resolution and resolving client matters as quickly...

A highly regarded litigator, John H. Phillips is the founder of the Phillips Law Firm, Inc. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, he provides representation to individual and business clients throughout the greater metropolitan area. Admitted to practice before all Ohio and Minnesota state courts, Mr. Phillips is also admitted to practice before several federal trial and appellate courts.

Mr. Phillips devotes a significant portion of his practice to business litigation. The types of cases that he has handled in this regard have included trade secret misappropriation, contract breaches, partner and shareholder actions, and purchase and sale disputes. Mr. Phillips also has extensive...

Brian Joslyn’s decision to become a criminal defense attorney was shaped by unique personal hardship. His life has been and remains a testament to the pursuit of justice for those subjected to overzealous law enforcement. He firmly believes in the dignified, respectful treatment of every person before the law. In Brian’s Pursuit of justice, he has become one of Ohio’s most recognized and skilled criminal defense attorneys. His success has been heralded by many reputable organizations including Columbus CEO Magazine naming him as a top lawyer, the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys selecting him as one of the 10...

Nicholas Klingensmith is former prosecutor with years of courtroom experience. Nick's experience as a prosecutor gives him an advantage over other attorneys when it comes to trial, plea negotiations and navigating the system. Whether you were injured in a car accident or charged with a DUI, Nick Klingensmith has the experience to help with your case.

Eric Valente, JD, MBA, is an attorney and founding member of Valente Law, LLC. He studied business administrations and earned his MBA while attending law school at the University of Toledo. Eric began his career doing business litigation at J.W. Krueger & Associates, LLC, where he still maintains an office. Eric has always had a creative, entrepreneurial spirit, and estate planning and business counseling provides him with the opportunity to engage these interests while helping clients achieve their goals. Eric's focus areas are estate planning (Wills, Trusts, Healthcare Planning), Probate Administration and Business Law. Eric is a...

Justin L. Lawrence focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury, worker's compensation, maritime injuries, wrongful death, and bankruptcy. Justin is a 2002 Cum Laude graduate of the University of Kentucky with Bachelor degrees in Accounting and Business Administration. While at the University of Kentucky, he was awarded the prestigious Woodson B. Gudgell scholarship. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 2005. In law school, he served as Vice President of the SBA and Justice of Phi Alpha Delta's Hoffman Chapter. Justin was also honored with the Alex P. Hotchkiss Award...

Warner represents brave whistleblowers who expose the misuse of federal dollars in local government grant programs, military contracting, Medicare and Medicaid programs, and at for-profit proprietary or career schools. These actions, brought under the Federal False Claims Act, empower citizens to act on behalf of the Federal Government to recover misspent and wasted funds. To date, Warner’s clients have helped return almost $20,000,000.00 to the United States Treasury.

Experienced immigration attorney, with a focus on counseling engineering, information technology, health care and other corporate clients.

Carrie is an employment attorney in Columbus, Ohio. Carrie represents clients in a wide variety of employment matters, including cases involving discrimination (based on race, age, religion, sex, gender, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, military service and veteran status, or pregnancy), sexual harassment, hostile work environment, failure to accommodate a disability; claims under the Americans with Disabilties Act and the Family Medical Leave Act; ERISA employee benefits appeals and litigation; review and negotation of employment contracts, review of severance agreements and severance negotiation, review of non-compete agreements and non-solicitation agreements; wage and hour (unpaid overtime and minimum wage) claims...

Rob represents injured people in all Ohio and Federal Courts, as well as, administrative agencies. Mr. Erney believes that lawyers must hold firm to their moral and ethical values, keep a good sense of humor, communicate honestly with the Court and cooperate with opposing counsel. He believes that law is a service profession designed to help people solve problems and disputes.

For 2021, as in 2017, 2019, and 2020, Super Lawyers ranked Frank Ray as the #1 lawyer in Ohio. After 41 years as an accomplished trial lawyer, in 2014, Frank Ray transitioned to service as a private mediator for a broad spectrum of civil cases. Drawing on experience as lead counsel in 129 civil trials, he serves as a neutral to assist adversaries achieve out-of-court settlement of complex civil disputes. Using the Zoom platform, Mr. Ray regularly hosts virtual audio-visual mediation conferences for adversary parties and their counsel. For in-person mediation conferences, assuming reliably safe circumstances,...

Brenden Kelley, a seasoned litigator and dedicated attorney, is committed to delivering the highest caliber of legal representation to his clients, marked by honesty and affordability. Behind his boyish grin lies a remarkable journey that has shaped him into the lawyer he is today. Brenden’s legal lineage runs deep. Born into a family of legal professionals, he was groomed from a young age to follow in his parents’ footsteps. His father, Michael V. Kelley, was a distinguished trial lawyer known for championing the rights of Ohio Steelworkers. His mother, Lynn Arko Kelley, served as a former Cleveland Heights Municipal Court Judge...

After many years in public service, my partner and I started this practice with the goal of offering affordable legal services to working families, all while making the legal process as customer-friendly as possible. We are proud to offer a state of the art client portal system, convenient office location and hours as well as flexible payment options to serve our clients in Summit, Portage and Medina counties.

Since 1999 I have labored to establish divorce settlements that are firm but fair and parenting-time schedules that work. Relocating and long-distance parenting plans. I resolve high-conflict situations, protective orders, and deal with parental alienation. I also have litigated a number of high value cases in both Summit and Stark Counties.

My firm also has handled a great number of high value transactions involving mineral rights, land leases and easements with energy companies. We have done joint ventures, partnerships, S corporations, LLCs, commercial and industrial developments, condominium developments or conversions and office building sales and purchases. Likewise, I...

Mr. Doucet is a consumer and consumer finance attorney who solves complex legal problems with clear communication and creative strategies for his clients. He has deep experience in UDAAP regulations, including TILA, RESPA, EFTA, SCRA, FDCPA, ECOA, RICO, and FHA Regulations, plus some experience with CCPA, among others. He is most known for his defense of foreclosure to help people stay in their homes. His legal interests include contract drafting, FinTech, consumer-facing regulations, and strategic planning with a focus on meeting client’s objectives. He has published books including “Regulation Z of the Truth in Lending Act (integrated...

No matter the case, we will find a way to help you For an experienced attorney who will fight for you, you've come to the right place. At our firm in Cincinnati, OH, our primary mission is to stand up for the rights of our clients. Whether you've had an OVI/DUI/DUS, are facing criminal charges, or are in the middle of a family law dispute involving a divorce, dissolution or custody issue, Douglas A. Ball will provide you with experienced legal advice and counsel. Most people don't know how the law works, or how to make sure that...

Neil is an AV rated Super Lawyer and Board Certified Employment law Specialist. He is a passionate, resourceful and tireless advocate who has represented individuals and companies in employment and business disputes for over 30 years.

Neil began his legal practice at Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in Cleveland in 1986. He practiced employment law with his own firm from 1993 until 2016, when he joined Elfvin, Klingshirn, Royer & Torch, LLC.

Neil's knowledge and experience work for his clients. "I grew up on a Lake Erie winery. There I learned hard work and the values I use today. I...

Susan’s life work is to help students in crisis and to meet their legal needs. She handles matter ranging from special education issues, student disciplinary matters and Title IX investigations. Susan has the knowledge and experience required to navigate due process complaints and shaping of 504 Plans and Individualized Education Programs. She also handles student matters involving hazing, bullying and social media.

Susan has gained a national reputation for representing student and professors in Title IX cases. She is routinely hired as a student advisor for the campus investigation and hearing phase of proceedings and also subsequent university...

Andrew H. Stevenson takes great pride in being a criminal defense attorney. He feels honored to defend his clients and respects the trust his clients place in him. Combining his strong trial skills with his empathetic concern for each client, he works hard to help achieve the best possible outcome for each client. In order to more effectively defend his clients, he has limited his practice to criminal and DUI defense. Andrew has successfully defended clients charged with capital murder, aggravated murder, murder, rape, robbery, kidnapping, drug offenses, domestic violence and child abuse. He is experienced...

Attorney Robert Goldstein was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1983, Attorney Goldstein moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to attend Case Western Reserve University, where he served as Secretary of his fraternity, Zeta Beta Tau, and President of his class for his first two years of college. After earning his degree in Psychology, Attorney Goldstein worked a series of jobs ranging from computer consulting to selling fire extinguishers door-to-door, while he explored a career in stand-up comedy. Two years later, having not successfully earned his own late night talk show, Attorney Goldstein decided to pursue a...

Eleana is a trial lawyer with almost 20 years of experience in litigating personal injury and medical negligence cases. She practices with her husband, Dennis Yacobozzi in the law firm of Yacobozzi Drakatos, LLC. Her focus is on efficiently maximizing her clients' recovery. She is dedicated to the legal profession and its teaching. She is adjunct faculty for the Paralegal Program at Columbus State Community College. She served as the President of the Ohio State Bar Association (2019-2020) and the President of the Women Lawyers of Franklin County (2013-2014). She frequently mentors young attorneys and is passionate about advancing women...

For over 20 years Paul has helped individuals and businesses with a variety of personal and business transactions. Individuals come to Paul for assistance with wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, and residential real estate transactions, while his business clients utilize his experience to provide guidance with business strategy, contract drafting and negotiation, mergers and acquisitions, trademarks, corporate governance, and licensing. Many of Paul’s business clients see him as their outside general counsel.

Prior to joining Phillips Law Firm, Inc. Paul served as the Vice President and General Counsel for two privately held companies and as the Director of Estate and Business...

Michael Hill has been described as a generational attorney for consistently obtaining 7 and 8 figure trial verdicts and settlements, including the largest verdict against a nursing home in Ohio History—a $26 million verdict in May 2023. Michael has met the stringent Super Lawyers standard, voted by his peers as one of the top 2.5% of attorneys in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Michael has been rated by the National Trial Lawyers Association as a Top 40 Under 40 trial lawyer in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and one of the Top 100 lawyers...

Attorney Bruce Epstein is certifed as a specialist in consumer bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification. He has offices in Boardman and Warren Ohio. A graduate of Northwestern University and the Ohio Northern University College of Law, Attorney Epstein was a Law Clerk to the Chief Judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in 1978 and has been in private practice since then. A free bankruptcy consultation is offered.

Brian Smith provides aggressive, experienced, and effective legal representation to every person served, so they feel confident that their rights are protected, their interests are served, and their results are maximized.

Mr. Smith uses his trial and negotiation skills in a successful practice where he has developed expertise in representing men and women in felony and misdemeanor criminal matters, OVI/DUI cases, and unemployment appeals. He strives to provide personalized representation, making each and every case and client his most important case.

Mr. Smith offers flat fees and payment plans whenever possible for criminal and DUI/OVI cases. He also understands...

Anne Harvey grew up working-class and is the first of her family to complete a professional degree. The chip on her shoulder is fairly earned and is part of what drives her forward. She is fiercely independent, outspoken and will tell the truth to clients so they too can make their own decisions. Anne has sat on both sides of the desk and has been a client herself. Life is not fair; in America anyone can sue anyone for anything; but in the end, right will prevail.