Belmont County Civil Rights Lawyers

John Colan has a profound appreciation for the concepts of fairness and equity. His passion for ethics and doing right by clients helps him effectively advocate for plaintiffs who have been wronged by another person or business’s actions. (John even taught Ethics and Legal Issues at a technical college from 2014 to 2016.) One of his early positions was in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office, where he aggressively sought to hold criminals accountable for the suffering they inflicted on their victims (he maintained a 99.8 percent conviction rate on more than 1,000 crimes as an Assistant Prosecutor in the General Felony...

Nicholas A. DiCello joined Spangenberg Shibley & Liber after graduating from the Cleveland Marshall College of Law in 2002. Mr. DiCello has been selected to the list of Super Lawyers® Rising Stars? on numerous occasions, as well as on the list of Super Lawyers®. In 2012, he joined the Judge John M. Manos Inn of Court. He’s also been named as one of the “Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers” by The National Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. DiCello handles a wide range of litigation matters involving medical malpractice and professional misconduct including insurance claims, accounting malpractice, and misconduct by...

Ben Cooper helps people use the law to deal with life-changing harms. His practice focuses on wrongful death, civil rights, medical malpractice, legal malpractice, and business cases.

Ben is known as a thorough, well-prepared trial lawyer who aggressively and ethically pursues his clients' cases. He is also a skilled appellate advocate. Ben strongly believes in holding powerful companies, people, and governments accountable, and he works hard to help his clients find meaning through their cases.

Since he began his practice in 2003, Mr. Forman has devoted his career to representing individuals in employment and civil rights litigation, including discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, sexual harassment, and employment contracts. He also litigates police misconduct and First Amendment cases, as well as criminal cases.

I obtained my law degree in 1989 from University of Cincinnati. Prior to that I received a Masters from American University and a Bachelors and Associates degree from Thomas More College. After getting my law degree, I worked for a small firm handling all types of civil litigation including family law. After ten years, getting married and having two children, I opened my own practice. Originally I had my office on Court Street in Cincinnati Ohio. In 2008 I moved my practice just outside of downtown Cincinnati. My office is now conveniently located on...

Megan Mersch Fields has a general litigation practice that includes representing businesses and individuals in employment law, business law, civil rights, products liability, criminal law, and general commercial practice. Her experience as an ex-prosecutor make her well suited for litigation and case resolution through both negotiation and trial. Megan practices in state and federal courts in both Kentucky and Ohio.

Matthew Zeiger represents clients in a wide variety of litigation matters. Mr. Zeiger counsels clients in many areas including media law, ethics law, professional liability, deceptive trade practices, public records, discrimination defense and a variety of contract disputes. His practice includes representation of both public and private companies, and he has counseled both for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Mr. Zeiger is a graduate of St. John's University School of Law in Queens, New York. He is also a graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee where he received a B.A. in Political Science.

Dustin has concentrated his practice in the areas of Social Security Disability, Unemployment Compensation, Collections, Landlord/Tenant, and general civil law. He is licensed to practice throughout the state of Ohio and in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Dustin’s time with the Jones Law Group has afforded him the unique opportunity to work on a variety of cases in various courts, throughout the state of Ohio and the federal court systems.

Born and raised in the Youngstown area, Sonia Walker moved to Southern Ohio to earn her Bachelor’s degree from Ohio University. After graduating with honors from Capital University Law School, she decided to make her home in the Columbus area and is proud to raise her three children as Buckeye fans.
As an assistant prosecutor, Sonia gained valuable trial experience during her time with the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office. After moving to private practice, she broadened her litigation experience to include insurance defense, discrimination, personal injury, appellate, and social security disability cases. In addition to her current Bankruptcy practice,...

I am an AV-Preeminent attorney in Cleveland, Ohio, with 28 years experience as a civil litigation and trial lawyer. I focus my practice on discrimination, overtime, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and employee rights generally. I also represent businesses in commercial litigation matters. I am a dedicated, passionate advocate for people whose employment and civil rights have been violated. I believe that people need a lawyer who will level the playing field in disputes with their employer and the government. In addition to my practice, I am an adjunct Professor Law at Cleveland State University. I received a...

Matt Besser is a discrimination lawyer in Cleveland, representing employees in employment discrimination, harassment, whistleblower, and wrongful termination cases. In addition to his work at Bolek Besser Glesius LLC, Matt is the General Counsel of the ACLU of Ohio. Matt holds the prestigious “AV Preeminent”® rating from attorney rating service Martindale-Hubbell. U.S. News' Best Lawyers Magazine has repeatedly named him one of the “Best Lawyers” in Cleveland for employment law, and named him the 2022 Cleveland Employment "Lawyer of the Year" for his work representing employees in discrimination cases. For its part, Super Lawyers Magazine has named him to its Cleveland...

Michael’s practice is wide ranging. He handles both criminal and civil matters and can help most individuals with just about any legal problem they encounter. Mike has represented clients facing a variety of felony and misdemeanor criminal charges including DUI, theft, assault, fraud, and drug possession/abuse. In civil matters, he has successfully represented clients in both state and federal courts in legal disputes arising from contracts, land use, foreclosures, automobile accidents, collections, Lemon Laws, and other consumer protection statutes. As a former Guardian ad Litem for the Franklin County Courts, Mike is well versed in juvenile and family law. He...

Cathleen is an accomplished civil trial attorney and a principal in the firm Bolek Besser Glesius LLC. She has been representing individuals in employment disputes for more than twenty years. Cathleen is listed in the 2014, 2013 and 2012 publications "Best Lawyers," her firm has been listed those same years in "Best Law Firms," and she has been included in Ohio Super Lawyers and Ohio Rising Stars Magazines multiple times. Since 2005, the Legal Directory, Martindale Hubbell, has given Cathleen its highest rating, AV®. Martindale Hubbell assigns the AV® certification mark only to those attorneys who have been ranked...

My passion is offering each client personal service in aggressively defending and protecting their rights. I provide the highest quality legal services that gives my clients reliable and effective representation in legal matters that arise everyday in the business context. I have the skill and experience to negotiate or go to trial as needed.

Jacqueline Greene joined Friedman & Gilbert in February 2014. Jacqueline’s civil rights practice focuses primarily on police and prison/jail misconduct, wrongful convictions and wrongful imprisonment, and other government misconduct.

Jacqueline also provides criminal defense representation in federal, state, and municipal criminal cases.

In addition, Jacqueline serves as Co-Coordinator for the Ohio Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. In this capacity, Jacqueline recruits and organizes pro bono criminal defense attorneys for political criminal cases in the Greater Cleveland area, defends protesters herself, and represents the NLG in civil litigation. Jacqueline also trains and organizes NLG Legal Observers (who observe law enforcement conduct at...

John Folkerth manages the Labor and Employment Law Group at Folkerth + Routh, LLC. Mr. Folkerth is certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as an employment law specialist, and has been listed by Super Lawyers as a top rated Ohio employment law attorney. Mr. Folkerth represents businesses and individuals in the private sector, public sector, and federal sector involving employment related matters. Mr. Folkerth’s practice areas include general business and employment litigation, employment contracts, employee compensation, non-disclosure/non-compete and separation agreements, employment policies and handbooks, wrongful termination, FMLA, whistleblowing, employee benefits, non-disclosure/non-compete, discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment and...

Carin Al-Hamdani focuses her practice on representing businesses, both public and private, and on providing counsel and representation in matters of complex litigation, corporate and small business creation, governance, and risk management. While highly selective in her practice, Carin also represents individuals and believes in serving her community as a whole to assist clients who have truly been wronged. She is an advocate in all forms of social justice and her work reflects such advocacy.

Carin has a highly unique and coveted skill set, as she has experience over a broad range of complex matters affecting both corporate and individual...

Joseph focuses on the complex realm of federal criminal defense and federal constitutional law. With a specific emphasis on federal firearms and drug law, he combines profound professionalism with fervent dedication. Throughout every legal engagement, Joseph's unwavering commitment to upholding justice and safeguarding the rights of his clients remains palpable. His incisive analytical prowess, coupled with his artful advocacy, positions him as an influential presence within the legal arena. Notably, Joseph derives genuine enthusiasm from crafting US Supreme Court briefs and has been called upon as an expert witness in high-profile cases of national significance. Furthermore, Joseph's unyielding devotion to remaining...

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...

I strive to provide cost efficient, effective representation in a wide array of practice areas primarily involving civil litigation and appeals in state and federal courts, investigations of insurance claims, and providing insurance coverage opinions. My goal is to zealously represent clients providing "outside the box" solutions and high quality representation performed in a professional and ethical manner. I am licensed to practice in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. My experience includes advising or representing clients on law or in litigation in the following areas: construction; construction defects; architects, engineers and design professional errors and omissions; hospitality liability, insurance defense; insurance...

Morgan focuses her advocacy on teacher, administrator, coach, and professor representation in disciplinary investigations and hearings, Title IX investigations and hearings; misconduct proceedings against the Ohio Department of Education, and contract disputes; student representation in sexual abuse litigation; and employee representation in discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination claims. Prior to utilizing her litigation skills for education and employment clientele, Morgan spent a combined 12 years litigating serious criminal cases as defense counsel and then as a prosecutor, representing multiple municipalities through her position with a large national law firm, and advising law enforcement on legal matters. Her trial experience...

I'm a great listener. I love finding solutions for clients.

Aggressive trial lawyer with 12 years of experience. Experienced in DUI/OVI, major and minor criminal, traffic, divorce, custody, appeals. Licensed in Ohio,Michigan and certain Federal Courts..

In recent years, Konrad has focused on representation of sexual assault and civil rights victims. He regularly challenges perpetrators and those who facilitate the crimes, such as religious organizations, governmental entities, youth organizations and schools. He begins a two-year term as President of the National Crime Victim Bar Association in 2022, a recognition of his leadership in this field. NCVBA is a national network of the top attorneys who have created new paths for recovery for sex abuse victims against the Catholic Church, Boy Scouts, universities such as Michigan State, Penn State and Southern Cal, and many other entities. Konrad...

Agressive, Honest and Affordable representation available for all of your legal concerns. I am an expericenced Trial Lawyer ready to fight for your rights. My practice focuses predominantly on Criminal Defense, but I have expertise in the areas of Family law, Small Business representation, Contract disputes, Probate law, and Personal injury. Let your problems become mine to solve in a proficient, expedient, and cost-effective manner. If you are looking for an Attorney who will truly advocate for your interests, and one whom still believes this is a noble and respected profession that...

This office provides a Free Initial Consultation. L. Leah Reibel, Esq., LLC is a litigation firm specializing in representing the rights of individuals. Domestic Relations including Divorce, Dissolution, Custody, and Visitation. Criminal Defense including juvenile drunk driving cases (OVI). Leah Reibel is admitted to practice in Ohio, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Ms. Reibel received her undergraduate degree from Ohio State University and then worked in politics in Washington, D.C. for several years. She received her law degree from the District of Columbia School of Law, Cum Laude, in 1991. BAR INVOLVEMENT: Ms. Reibel is past-President of the Central Ohio Association of Criminal...