PRACTICE AREAS

I focus my practice on business law, real estate matters, and civil litigation for clients in Lake County, Ashtabula County, Geauga County, Portage County, Summit County, and throughout Northeast Ohio.

Whether you are dealing with a business issue, a real estate transaction or dispute, or a civil legal matter, my goal is to provide clear, practical guidance and help you move forward with confidence.

BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL LAW

Contracts, Business Formation and Acquisition

I work with business owners and operators on legal issues that affect both day-to-day operations and long-term planning. My goal is to help clients understand their options, structure agreements properly, avoid unnecessary disputes, and make informed decisions when legal issues arise.

I regularly assist clients throughout Northeast Ohio, including Lake County, Ashtabula County, Geauga County, Portage County, and Summit County.

My work includes business formation, ownership structure, contract drafting and review, business transitions, dissolution, distressed asset issues, corporate wind-downs, and succession considerations. I also assist with disputes involving business relationships, agreements, vendors, customers, members, or partners.

Whether you are starting a business, restructuring an existing one, resolving a dispute, or navigating a transition, my focus is on practical legal guidance that protects your interests and supports the business decisions in front of you.

LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Litigation, Trials, and Mediation

Dispute Resolution Attorney Northeast Ohio

I represent clients in civil disputes with a focus on strategy, leverage, and practical results. Litigation is rarely just about filing papers or arguing over legal theories. It requires understanding the facts, the personalities involved, the procedural posture, the cost of continuing, and the pressure points that can move a case toward resolution.

My litigation experience includes both Plaintiff and Defense representation involving:

Business and contract disputes
Real estate and property-related litigation
Construction disputes, including contractor and project-related issues
Consumer protection, including Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act (CSPA) claims
Automotive and dealership-related disputes
Insurance-related claims and defense matters
Pre-litigation disputes and negotiated resolutions
Serious civil cases like wrongful death.

I help clients resolve matters through early case evaluation, motion practice, negotiation, and targeted pressure before unnecessary litigation costs take over. When extended litigation is necessary or unavoidable, I move cases forward deliberately, developing the record, and applying pressure where it matters to carrying the case as far as needed to protect my client’s position.

I have successfully helped clients exit litigation early, narrow exposure, negotiate favorable resolutions, and position cases for settlement when the other side initially appeared unwilling to move. My goal is not to fight for the sake of fighting. My goal is to identify where the leverage is, use it effectively, and pursue the path that best protects the client’s interests.

I received a Certificate in Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution from the University of Akron School of Law and trained in its nationally recognized trial advocacy program. That training, combined with real-world litigation experience, informs how I approach evidence, pleadings, negotiation, motion practice, and courtroom strategy.

Not every dispute should go to trial, but every dispute needs a plan. I work with clients to understand their position, evaluate risk, and pursue a strategy designed to achieve the best practical result under the circumstances.

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION LAW

Purchase Agreements, Lease Agreements, Landlord/Tenant Disputes

I represent property owners, developers, contractors, and community associations in legal matters involving real estate transactions, construction issues, and related disputes. These matters often involve significant financial exposure, and my focus is on identifying risk early, structuring agreements properly, and addressing issues before they escalate.

I assist clients throughout Northeast Ohio, including Lake County, Ashtabula County, Geauga County, Portage County, and Summit County.

My experience includes purchase and sale agreements, lease drafting and negotiation, real estate closings, landlord-tenant matters, and property tax appeals. I also advise on zoning and land use issues and work with clients to address title, ownership, and transactional concerns.

In the construction context, I draft and review construction contracts, advise on project-related risk, and represent clients in disputes involving contractors, workmanship, and project performance.

I also represent community associations, including condominium and homeowners’ associations (HOAs), in matters involving governance, enforcement of restrictions, disputes with owners, and general legal issues affecting association operations.

Whether the matter involves a transaction, a developing dispute, or active litigation, my goal is to provide practical legal guidance and position clients to protect their interests and move forward efficiently.

ESTATE PLANNING

Wills, Trusts, and Advanced Directives

I provide estate planning services on a limited and selective basis. My primary focus is on business law, real estate matters, and civil litigation, but I can assist clients with straightforward estate planning needs where appropriate.

My experience includes preparing basic wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, and select trust-based planning depending on the situation. Estate planning often involves personal and practical considerations, and my approach is to provide clear guidance so clients understand their options and can make informed decisions.

For clients with more complex estate planning needs, I can help identify the type of planning required and provide general direction on next steps.

I am also mindful of the unique legal considerations that can arise for individuals and families in different circumstances, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, and I approach those matters with the same focus on clarity, respect, and practicality.