Thompson Business Lawyers

Our law office understands that when people hire an attorney, they need immediate help. We take the time to listen to all their concerns and to get all the facts about their case. We provide thorough research into the legal matter to make sure there are no surprises that can affect the outcome. Don’t let your legal situation get worse, call or email us today for a consultation.

Erik L. Walter is a bold advocate for business clients in the areas of environmental law, oil and gas, commercial transactions, zoning and litigation for both individuals and corporations. He sits on numerous nonprofit boards in the community. Prior to joining Dworken & Bernstein Co., L.P.A., Erik was a shareholder with the law firm of Knaggs, Harter, Brake & Schneider, P.C. located in Lansing, Michigan. Prior to joining Knaggs, Harter, Brake & Schneider, P.C. in 1999, Erik served for nearly three years as the law clerk for the Honorable William E. Collette in the Ingham County Circuit Court located...

Joshua J. Strickland’s practices primarily in real estate and business transactions. He represents small and medium size businesses, real estate developers, landlords and non-profits in all of their business needs. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star. Josh focuses his practice in the areas of general business including formation, mergers and acquisitions, financing, employee relations, commercial transactions, intellectual property, construction development, and sales. His residential and commercial real estate practice includes sales, leasing, zoning, land use, oil and gas, environmental law and real estate, eminent domain and taxation.

Richard Selby heads our Commercial Litigation Department. He has extensive trial experience with Dworken & Bernstein in both state and federal court. In addition to his litigation experience, Ric regularly consults with clients on employment related issues and is called in to assist at trial with the Class Action department when those matters go to trial. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star and was selected to be included in the 2019 edition of Best Lawyers in America. In addition, he is a Contributing Editor to Attorney At Law Magazine featuring articles on Employment Law.

Ric joined Dworken...

Howard Rabb concentrates on estate, general business and bankruptcy matters. He regularly advises clients on business, estate and debt strategies. A lifelong Clevelander, he has a “Superb” AVVO rating.

Estate Planning: Howard’s practice involves an analysis of the goals of the client, an understanding of all relevant family relationships, and a comprehensive list of all of the clients assets. After obtaining this information, he will advise his clients as to whether a living trust or testamentary trust makes sense in order to address probate, distribution, or tax concerns. Typically, the estate planning will include wills, health-care power of attorney, living...

Grant Keating is a partner practicing in the firm’s Business and Commercial Litigation department. He employs a pragmatic approach to litigation and has successfully represented a wide variety of businesses and individuals at trial, appeal and in ADR. Grant has extensive experience in the following areas of law: banking and loan restructuring, breach of contract, Clean Water Act, commercial lease disputes, construction disputes, creditor’s rights, defamation, director and officer liability, e-commerce, employment disputes, environmental litigation, foreclosures, international discovery assistance pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1782, mechanic’s liens, minority shareholder rights, Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act R.C. 1345.01 et. seq., professional negligence,...

Attorney Patrick Brickman focuses his practice on class actions and complex litigation. His cases primarily deal with unlawful conduct by government agencies, manufacturers, retailers, and employers. These actions touch on any number of legal issues across diverse areas of law, including real estate law, insurance law, commercial law, constitutional law, tax law, advertising law, wage & hour law, benefits law, and more.

Patrick attended the University of Dayton for his undergraduate work, and the University of Akron School of Law for law school, where he was an advocate on the Moot Court Team and an Associate Editor for the Akron Law...

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...

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...

Ed has been practicing real estate and general business law for over 50 years. Before engaging as a sole practitioner in 2008, he spent a combined 36 years with two major Cleveland law firms and 8 years as General Counsel for Western Reserve Land Conservancy. In addition to the general practice areas of real estate and business law he has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating conservation easements and other land protection instruments.

Attorney Heather Moseman grew up in the Midwest and applies the values learned there to the practice of law. She aims to make sure that the legal problems that are presented to her are solved in the most cost-effective and straightforward way possible. Heather obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy from Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota. She applied her degree in the service of the chronically disabled, chronically mentally ill and for senior citizens for seven years in both Chicago, Illinois and the Cleveland area. In 2000, Ms. Moseman determined to help people on a...

DENNIS J. IBOLD is one of the co-founders of the law firm of Ibold & O'Brien established in 1980 and formerly Petersen & Ibold. The general practice of Mr. Ibold includes an emphasis in family law, real estate, business law and personal injury. Super Lawyers Magazine, the leading attorney rating system for consumers named Dennis J. Ibold for eighteen consecutive years, 2006 through 2023, as an "Ohio Super Lawyer". "Super Lawyers" are selected from the top 5% of Ohio attorneys. The selection process includes a state wide survey of lawyers; evaluation based on twelve indicators of peer recognition and professional...

Experience Magistrate, Lake County Domestic Relations Court March 1992 - December 31, 2002 Magistrate, Ashtabula County Common Pleas Court July 1997 - December 1998 Acting Judge, Painesville Municipal Court March 2008 - continuing Education Bachelor of Business Administration, Kent State University, 1983 Juris Doctor, Cleveland Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University, 1989 Admitted to practice before the Courts of the State of Ohio, the Federal District Court and the United States Supreme Court. Professional Organizations Lake County Bar Association Ohio State Bar Association Ohio Womenâs Bar Association Family Law Committee, Lake County Bar Association Ohio Association of Domestic Relations Judges (former member) Ohio Association...

Todd Petersen has a lifetime of involvement in Northeast Ohio. His experiences as a resident, business owner and, for 20 years, attorney at law, provide him the firsthand knowledge and the perspective necessary to counsel individuals and small businesses throughout the region.

I always knew I wanted to do something in consumer protection. I started my first career out of graduate school as a policy analyst in the Office Of Public Safety for The Mayor of The City Of Los Angeles. I helped increase the quality of life of 12 million Angelenos and did not know any of them. So, I decided to move back to Cleveland to help the people I grew up with, saw on a daily basis, shared interests and cares with, and came to know and call friend.

II went to law school to do just...

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...

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...

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...

JOEL A HOLT, Esq./CIPP-US, is an experienced attorney concentrating his practice in the areas of business law, civil litigation, real estate law, probate and estate planning, and cybersecurity and privacy. Attorney Holt serves as outside general counsel for small and midsize businesses, bringing experience and professionalism at an affordable rate. Attorney Holt is a certified privacy professional, holding a CIPP-US certification from the International Association of Privacy Professionals. He has a broad legal background, including appellate advocacy, corporate formation and governance, securities, and transactional law. Mr. Holt is also a proficient civil litigator, with 16 years' experience in Ohio...

Kenneth L. Sheppard, Jr. is the President and Owner of Sheppard Law Offices, Co., L.P.A.

Kenneth graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History. While at Ohio Northern, Ken was a member of three honor societies and two national mock trial teams. He then entered Ohio Northern University Law School and graduated in 1999 with a Juris Doctor degree. After law school, Mr. Sheppard earned his LL.M. (Master's Degree) in Taxation from the University of Denver in 2000.

Attorney Sheppard is admitted to practice law in Ohio. He is also licensed...

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...

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...

As the first member of my immigrant family to go to law school or even college, I chose to come to Cleveland from Brooklyn, New York because Cleveland has always been a diverse city of hard-working folks from all backgrounds. My father and my grandfather both knew what it meant to have their freedom and even their lives threatened by the Nazis in Germany and I have devoted my career to representing the " little guy," the working man or woman, the injured and the disabled against government, big business and corporations. My goal has always been to be the...

A highly experienced attorney with a broad spectrum of legal expertise and extensive track record of success in Securities, Corporate, Business, Real Estate, and Construction Law. Strengths include specialized knowledge of broker-dealers, investment managers, investment companies, insurance securities, investment advisers. Extensive experience with private placements, entrepreneurial ventures, venture capital, and private equity. Helps starts-ups to $Billion dollar entities with financing rounds, offerings, and planning. Additional qualifications include accounting investigations and related securities investigations and litigation. Corporate Law skills in M & A, financing transactions. Extensive real estate skills as counsel and as owner, in the acquisition, development, construction,...

John is a lifelong Buckeye. He graduated with honors from The Ohio State University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in business and accounting. In 1983, John graduated with honors from The Ohio State University College of Law. He has been practicing law in Cuyahoga Falls ever since. John has been active in the community as a long-time baseball coach and as a member of several community organizations. John and his family are proud to call Cuyahoga Falls home.

During his thirty-six year legal career, John has prepared thousands of Wills, Power of Attorneys, Trusts, and sophisticated estate planning...

Jarman is an attorney in Cleveland, Ohio practicing in the areas of Cybersecurity & Data Privacy, Corporate Transactions, and Intellectual Property. Jarman has extensive research experience in several other areas of the law as well, and provides support on trademark litigation matters.

Kamal H. Dari is an attorney from Ann Arbor, Michigan. He currently serves as Of-Counsel to Herman Legal Group in Dearborn, Michigan. In addition, Kamal maintains his own practice (Dari Law, PLLC) in Ann Arbor. His areas of practice are Immigration and Business Law. Kamal received his JD, cum laude, from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, and a bachelor’s degree in sport management (BA) from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor. He is fluent in English and Arabic.

I began practicing law in 2002. I spent over 13 years with the Cleveland firm of Gallagher Sharp, primarily as a litigator, before venturing on my own and then landing at The Gertsburg Law Firm in 2017 before choosing to restart my own practice in 2020. Before becoming an attorney, I worked as a financial manager for a small business after earning his MBA. My experience allows me to understands the challenges facing small business owners, allowing me to advise, as well as provide valuable legal information. With over 20 years’ experience in the business and legal worlds, I strive...