- DivorcePositive Effects of Unprecedented Times: The Rise of Technology and the Collaborative Divorce Process in the July/August edition of the CMBA Bar Journal.
- GuardianshipOur experienced attorneys also will help you understand the guardianship process in probate court. If a loved one is in need of a legal guardian due to diminished mental or physical capacity, we will work with you to set up the guardianship and assist throughout the administration process.
- Criminal DefenseJuvenile Delinquency cases involve criminal or unruly conduct by a person under the age of 18. While a person under the age of 18 can be charged with the same crimes as an adult, the focus of the juvenile justice system is to rehabilitate juvenile offenders rather than to strictly punish the offender. We provide experienced representation in defending juveniles involved in criminal matters, while looking for solutions to rehabilitate and prevent future transgressions.
- DUI/DWIWe defend individuals charged with misdemeanor crimes, including traffic violations, OVI/DUI, driving under suspension, domestic violence, assault, underage consumption of alcohol, and more.
- Wrongful Death
- Traffic ViolationsMoving violations can lead to expensive fines and points on your driver’s license. These points can result in higher insurance premiums and even a suspended driver’s license. We will defend those facing traffic violations and help reinstate a driver’s license or obtain driving privileges for those facing a driver’s license suspension.
- BurglaryWe aggressively represent individuals charged with felonies, including drug trafficking, drug abuse, multiple OVI/DUI offenses, assault, theft, burglary, and more.
- Theft
- Misdemeanors
- Drug Crimes
- Assault
- Corporate LawBridey advises and counsels clients on a wide variety of civil issues, including municipal and public law, employment law, administrative law, zoning, real estate, and corporate law. Bridey has prosecuted enforcement actions and defended numerous clients in litigation, has prepared contracts, lease agreements, memoranda of understandings, and other legal documents for individuals, businesses, and public clients. She has litigated in numerous state and federal courts and has practiced before administrative agencies, like the Ohio Court of Claims, the State Personnel Board of Review, and the Board of Tax Appeals. Bridey is the Secretary of the Geauga Bar Association, as well as Chair of the Fee Disputes Committee and member of the Courts Committee. She is a resident of Bainbridge Township with her husband, Matt, and their two sons, Finn and Colm.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsWe understand that every business transaction is different and our attorneys bring well-honed legal skills, carefully crafted agreements, and, when needed, creative thinking to get the deal done. Whether you are involved in a merger, acquisition or business purchase, or preparing for the sale or divestiture of your business, we focus on identifying the appropriate structure for the transaction, spotting potential issues and devising strategies to overcome them. We work to negotiate agreements that balance the size and complexity of the transaction with the needs of our clients. We seek to identify risk, both anticipated and unanticipated, and advise our clients on ways to structure transactions that balance the need to minimize that risk with the need to move forward. We also assist clients with the dissolution, liquidation and winding down of an entity that has ceased operations.
- Business FormationVitale, a Hudson resident, joined the firm in 2007. He handles a variety of real estate and business-related matters, including real estate development, business formation and organization, residential subdivision development, commercial leasing, bank financing and property tax appeals. He represents homeowner and condominium associations on various issues including corporate compliance and collections. Vitale also serves as outside general counsel for one of the largest concrete contracting companies in Ohio, handling a broad range of matters including corporate compliance, liens, civil litigation, bonding succession planning, bank financing, and business collections.
- Business DisputesCollins has been actively engaged in litigation practice for more than 30 years in a wide variety of industries common to the State of Ohio. He has been first chair in numerous jury trials to conclusion, bench trials and arbitration proceedings in a wide variety of commercial and business law cases. He has represented class representatives and opt out plaintiffs in major federal antitrust class action cases in Ohio and California. He has served as receiver and counsel to a receiver in more than 50 state court cases in recent years, where he managed and sold and/or acted as counsel for a national wholesale lumber business, a regional airport fixed base operation, downtown Cleveland office towers and store fronts, and dozens of commercial and residential structures. He is designated under loan documents to serve as the operator of a Northeast Ohio marijuana grower upon specified events. While a trial lawyer by trade, Tim enjoys blending his legal skills with business issues to achieve efficient solutions for clients, or for courts requiring a receiver or a liquidating trustee.
- Business TransactionsOur lawyers have significant experience handling all facets of business and corporate law, from entity formation to complex business transactions. We work with companies big and small, in diverse industries. We understand and work to balance the competing needs of investors, managers, lenders and equity owners. We counsel clients on a wide range of business matters, from general day-to-day business operations to contract negotiation, equity financing and restructuring, joint ventures, tax issues and financing. We take a proactive approach to advising our corporate clients by helping them evaluate risk, negotiate and develop effective strategies and accomplish their business objectives. Many of our clients engage us as outside general counsel to assist with company issues on a regular basis, including guidance on corporate formalities, contract drafting and negotiation, employment matters and dispute resolution.
- Limited Liability CompaniesHe is a recognized litigator in Ohio and has handled litigation throughout the United States on behalf of corporate clients. He obtained a jury verdict in excess of $8 million dollars after a month-long trial in the Northern District of Ohio on a breach of contract case. In addition, he obtained a judgment on behalf of a note holder against borrowers and guarantors in excess of $6.3 million. Spellacy has extensive experience and knowledge in business divorce litigation involving partnerships, limited liability companies and other business entities.
- Trade Secrets
- Intellectual PropertyWe also represent clients involved in intellectual property disputes and litigation, helping resolve or litigate issues of infringement, trademark oppositions and cancellations, and trade secret and unfair competition violations.
- Unfair Competition
- Antitrust
- Wrongful TerminationHicks advises businesses on a broad range of issues including labor and employment matters, operational issues, and transactions. He litigates matters for business clients in state and federal court, including cases involving wrongful termination, employment discrimination, misappropriation of trade secrets, violations of non-compete agreements, shareholder disputes and other business issues. He represents businesses in wage and hour investigations as well as health and safety investigations. He also defends charges of discrimination filed with the EEOC and state agencies. Hicks also has significant experience in the acquisition, development, leasing and sale of commercial properties. He joined the firm in 1994 and became a Principal in 2001. He and his wife and three sons reside in Bainbridge Township.
- Employment Discrimination
- Employment LitigationElizabeth Collins is an associate attorney with broad commercial litigation experience in both state and federal court. She practices commercial litigation, class action litigation, antitrust litigation, probate litigation, employment litigation, foreclosure litigation, construction litigation and receiverships. She served as counsel for the receiver of the John Hartness Brown (JHB) building in downtown Cleveland, the Westin hotel in downtown Cleveland, and several other businesses, hotels, commercial and residential properties throughout Ohio. While in law school, Liz was an intern for Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor of the Supreme Court of Ohio and an extern for Judge Patricia A. Gaughan of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Liz was also the executive editor for the Journal of Law and Health and was a member of the National Moot Court team. She recently spent two years devoted to federal multi-district litigation practice in Washington, D.C.
- Non-compete Agreement
- Real Estate LitigationSimple or complex real estate issues can arise at any time. Our firm has a long and distinguished history of representing clients in real estate matters dating back to our founding in 1931. Today, we remain one of Northeast Ohio’s premier firms handling real estate matters.
- Premises LiabilityWe represent clients against those who allow dangerous conditions to exist on their property. These cases may involve, but not be limited to, slippery floors, inadequate security, unprotected construction and amusement park accidents.
- Construction LitigationWheelock guides numerous corporate clients through a variety of business issues, including company formation, risk management, transactional matters, acquisitions and sales. He handles many construction law matters, from contract negotiations to litigation. His practice includes real estate transactions and development involving both residential and commercial properties. He has significant experience in assisting both individuals and businesses in the development of estate plans and succession plans. Wheelock provides probate and trust administration for all types of estates. He, along with his wife and two boys, is a resident of Parkman Township in Geauga County.
- Real Estate TransactionsListati, a resident of Willoughby Hills, joined the firm and became Managing Principal of the Cleveland office in 2010. Earlier in his career, he was the Assistant General Counsel for LTV Steel Company, Inc., as well as the Corporate Secretary for six short line railroads owned by LTV. Listati served as lead counsel in a complex international commercial arbitration before the ICC Court of Arbitration held in Paris, France; lead counsel in the sale of six idled steel facilities valued at over $60 million; lead counsel in the trial and appeal of several zoning and land use matters; and in numerous commercial, product liability, medical device and medical malpractice trials, mediations and arbitrations. He also devotes a substantial portion of his practice to real estate transactions, as well as general corporate counseling of smaller and medium-sized businesses. Listati speaks fluent Italian and is proud to represent numerous Italian companies in the United States.
- Eminent Domain
- Easement
- Land Use and ZoningWe have been at the forefront of municipal and zoning issues ever since such regulations were first adopted in the area. We have litigated such matters from the local courts to the United States Supreme Court. We have extensive experience making presentations to local administrative agencies on behalf of our clients, and we also engage in mediating zoning and appropriation cases between governmental agencies, developers and landowners.
- Property DamageLiber, a resident of Chagrin Falls, joined the firm in 2010 and became Principal in 2012. He has more than 30 years of litigation experience in the successful resolution of complex civil disputes in advance of litigation, and through arbitration, trial and appeals in courtrooms in many states, primarily Ohio and Florida. John has achieved multiple million-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals. He also represents businesses and corporations in complex construction and insurance claims, achieving resolution of equipment and property damage losses. Liber was a former Assistant State Attorney in Miami, Florida, under then State Attorney Janet Reno (later U.S. Attorney General).
- Personal InjuryDynes started his career as a trial attorney for Nationwide Insurance where he represented the company and its insureds. He then continued his litigation practice with Williams, Moliterno & Scully, representing multiple insurance companies and other self-insured entities. He now litigates a multitude of civil matters, but also focuses his practice on a variety of other disciplines such as business and corporate issues; zoning and real estate; municipal and public entity law and personal injury and wrongful death. He serves as an acting judge in the Painesville Municipal Court; is legal counsel to the Lake County, Ohio Port and Economic Development Authority and Laketran; and also serves as general counsel to a number of privately held corporations. When not practicing law, he enjoys playing hockey and skiing.
- Medical MalpracticeOur attorneys understand the complex physical, emotional and financial issues you face when dealing with personal injury, medical malpractice or with the wrongful death of a loved one. We work tirelessly to obtain the best outcome for you, whether that can be obtained through negotiations with the insurance company or vigorously pursuing your case through all stages of litigation.
- Auto Accidents
- Estate PlanningWhether your estate planning needs are simple or complex, we can bring peace of mind to you and your family.
- Wills
- TrustsRachel, a native of Geauga County, joined the firm in 2021. She enjoys working with clients on matters related to estate planning and probate/trust administration. She assists clients with the development of customized estate plans and advises clients to determine if updates or revisions are necessary to existing plans. Rachel also handles estate administration in Geauga, Portage, Cuyahoga, and surrounding counties. She also counsels clients on divorce, dissolution, and custody matters.
- Power of Attorney
- Probate
- Foreclosure
- Tax LawZnidarsic, a Lake County resident, joined the firm in 1976 and was made Principal in 1979. He has significant experience counseling business clients on a host of transactional issues including mergers, acquisitions, sales, and financing. He also assists business clients pertaining to business formation, organization, governance, financing and management. He also assists clients in the areas of estate planning and tax planning.