Independence Business Lawyers

Mr. Kraus graduated from Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia) in 1981 with a B.A. in Political Science. He received his law degree in 1984 from Case Western Reserve University School of Law (Cleveland, Ohio). He practiced law in a small family firm, Kraus & Kraus, from 1984 until 2000. In 2000, Mr. Kraus joined Dworken & Bernstein as an associate attorney and in July 2003, was made a partner in the firm. He has been a member of the Lake County Bar Association, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, and the Florida Bar. Mr. Kraus has also served as a mediator with...

Alex has represented private and publicly- traded companies and non-profit organizations of all sizes, as well as their owners, in litigation along the entire spectrum of business disputes: commercial and contract, real estate, shareholder and partnership, broker-dealer, employment, unfair competition, and many others.

As a property tax attorney, Robert (“Kip”) has extensive experience in the area of property tax litigation, and related matters. For nearly 25 years, he has handled property tax matters in all 88 Ohio counties and in various jurisdictions throughout the country. In addition, Kip has represented clients in civil, business and family law disputes inclusive of litigating cases and arguing appeals in the Courts of Common Pleas, Appellate District Courts, Federal District Courts and the Supreme Court of Ohio. Recently, Kip successfully argued and established legal precedent in favor of Ohio taxpayers in Groveport Madison Local Schools Bd. of...

Melvyn E. Resnick earned his undergraduate degree in Business and Accounting with honors from Ohio University. He was awarded his law degree from Case Western Reserve School of Law and admitted to the Bar in 1966. Mr. Resnick is a member of the Lake County Bar Association. He is a past president of Tau Epsilon Rho Law Fraternity. He is licensed to practice in all Ohio courts as well as U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, since 1968 and the U.S. Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit. Mr. Resnick's practice emphasizes real estate, commercial litigation, general business, corporate banking, estate...

Martin Bielat LLC was founded on the idea of providing valuable legal solutions for environmental and real estate issues. The firm, started in 2019 by Martin Bielat, Esq., focuses on two key areas of law – environmental and real estate – but also takes clients in a wide variety of other practice areas like collections, business management, and estate planning.

Nestled in the innovative Cleveland-Marshall Solo Practice Incubator near Playhouse Square, Martin Bielat LLC prides itself on working conjunctively with its clients in order to illuminate the best solution. The firm recognizes that all cases are unique and that sometimes arriving...

After graduating from John Carroll University and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, cum laude, Mr. Triscaro passed the Ohio and Florida bar exams, and was admitted to practice law in both states the same year. While attending law school Mr. Triscaro earned the Spangenberg Trial Practice Award, and CALI Excellence for the Future Award in trial advocacy.

Joseph J. Triscaro has a general legal practice with particular emphasis in civil litigation, business litigation, criminal defense, family law, probate and personal injury. During his legal career he has also practiced in a wide variety of other areas. He has years of experience in...

Rachel is a Cleveland native who holds a B.A. from Miami University, M.S. from Syracuse University, and J.D. from Cleveland State University. She has over a decade of experience in various aspects of real estate law and litigation. She has successfully represented the interests of clients before Boards of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commissions, and City Councils; represented mortgage and other lien holders in foreclosure litigation; and represented clients in contractor, construction defect litigation and other property-related disputes. She also has extensive experience guiding nonprofits and small business in matters of corporate governance, compliance and administration. Rachel and her...

David Lash has been a lifelong resident of the Cleveland Heights/Beachwood, Ohio area. He graduated from Cleveland Heights High School and attended college at Ohio University, majoring in psychology. After graduation from Ohio University, David worked his way through Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and became a licensed attorney November 4, 1977. David has been practicing law for more than 33 years. He developed a robust general law practice assisting clients with their legal concerns. His principal areas of practice include foreclosure defense, bankruptcy, divorce/custody/domestic relations, personal injury, and criminal/traffic/municipal court law. He also does...

I focus my practice on representation in litigation, and other forms of dispute resolution concerning financial institutions, intellectual property disputes, fiduciary duties, contracts, business torts, corporate governance, securities and finance, professional malpractice, ERISA, and tax controversies. I have represented several major charitable institutions and foundations in litigation matters.

Hugh Berkson who is rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®, obtained a business degree in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin in 1989, and is a 1994 graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Barristers and received both the American Jurisprudence Award, (National Mock Trial) in 1993 and the Jonathan M. Ault Mock Trial Prize for 1993-1994. Hugh later served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the CWRU School of Law, where he taught trial practice from 1995-2004.

Nouvelle L. Gonzalo, Esq. is admitted to practice law in Ohio and Florida. She is the member-owner of Gonzalo Law where her practice focuses on U.S. and international business law. Attorney Gonzalo established her practice to pursue a lifelong interest in service through leadership. She utilizes her U.S. and international experience to help businesses navigate their legal issues and grow their companies.
As a Magna Cum Laude graduate of New York University, Nouvelle L. Gonzalo received her bachelor’s degree in Individualized Studies concentrating in International Politics and Cultural Studies. She went on to earn a Juris Doctorate with Honors...

* An AV rated attorney with over thirty years of civil trial experience * Major emphasis on the litigation, arbitration and mediation of commercial and construction contract disputes throughout Northern Ohio * Over twenty five years of experience as a third party neutral serving as an arbitrator or mediator in construction and commercial disputes * Frequent experience in the resolution of real estate issues including mechanics liens, zoning, building code compliance and adverse possession * Significant role in the prosecution and defense of...

Theodore C. Theofrastous brings a unique perspective to his practice, having worked as both a business architect and an attorney within the technology commercialization and investment fields. Ted counsels clients across a wide range of technologies, including healthcare, communications, IT, alternative energy and advanced materials, in both legal and business issues. In addition, Ted works with non-profits and research institutions to develop and implement sustainable governance and policy structures to help achieve strategic organizational priorities. Ted has extensive experience in technology transfer within the advanced research community, where he counsels large institutional clients on the development of legally compliant approaches to...

Commercial and residential real estate contracts and litigation, small and midsized business startup, sales and leasing contracts and litigation, estate planning and probate.

With pride. I am a triple barred attorney in three states. Ohio, NY. and Florida for 52 years, still active in Ohio and Florida. I have had a number of famous cases and was honored to be chosen to close our WW II embassy in Bonn, Germany. I help people. Highly rated on Google and AVVO. I enjoy providing personal service to people. I am a Supreme Court Mentor and teach lawyers for several years. Lecturing around the country in my areas of practice to lawyers and on behalf of publications and at universities was a pleasure. Thank...

Highly experienced in civil litigation including, but not limited to, Employment Discrimination, Personal Injury and Probate.

Through excellent and comprehensive analysis, counseling and advocacy, Richik anticipates, identifies and addresses his clients' legal, compliance and business issues and disputes before they become complicated (and expensive) problems and create operational and reputational risk. He is one of "The Best Lawyers in America®" and has been an "Ohio Super Lawyer" since 2005 with recognized expertise in: contracts, commercial law, sales and trade practices, business torts, professional negligence and malpractice, financial services law, corporate governance and compliance and risk management. Richik's clients include public and private entities of all sizes: small and minority-owned businesses, sports and media...