Fostoria Lawyers

Recipient of the coveted "AV" 5.0 PREEMINENT highest possible rating from Martindale-Hubbell for more than the last 20 years and named by CEO Magazine for the last 15 years as one of Ohio's "Top Lawyers", Mr. Lewis is well known in the Central Ohio business, legal and political communities, and has developed a substantial trial practice in local, state and federal courts in areas as wide-ranging as business, environmental, employment, civil rights, criminal, real estate, creditors' rights, matrimonial/divorce and extraordinary remedies litigation to land use planning/zoning law. Mr. Lewis is a Dean's List graduate of Miami (Ohio) University (1978)...

As an Ohio attorney, I know the legal system is large, complex, and intimidating. I understand that interaction with government agencies is disorienting and the rules are unclear. If you, a family member, or a friend have been arrested, charged with a crime, are the subject of an investigation, or involved in a dispute with the government, it is in the accused person's best interest to obtain legal representation. As an attorney, my job is to defend your interests, freedom, dignity and reputation and to make sure you understand your rights, the process, and the consequences of your...

Jeff has represented individuals and business entities ranging from sole proprietorships to multi-national corporations.

Jeff held a number of positions as an attorney in both the public and the private sector including positions with small, mid-sized, and large law firms. Jeff’s practice areas cover a wide-ranging spectrum, but he primarily focuses on real estate law, commercial law, business and civil litigation matters.

Jeff was raised in Summit County, Ohio and he and his wife have resided in Strongsville, Ohio since 1992. They have four children and three grandchildren. He is an avid football fan and a...

Ed Schottenstein is a highly skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer in Columbus. For over three decades, he has helped clients throughout Ohio recover compensation for their injuries. If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence or misconduct, their legal team can help you too. Ed is has an AV® Preeminent™ Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, is a member of the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, and is a former judge. As a result, he has a comprehensive understanding of this complex practice areas as well as its related paperwork and procedures. He accepts...

For over 32 years, Mr. Jordan has dedicated his practice to defending individuals who have been charged with misdemeanor and felony crimes. He has represented clients charged with a felony in Cuyahoga County, Portage County, Geauga County, Lake County, Lorain County, Ashtabula County, Summit County, Erie County and other counties across the State of Ohio. Mr. Jordan also represents individuals accused of Federal Law violations such as: drug trafficking, conspiracy, tax evasion, theft, bank robbery and failure to report as a sex offender. He has practiced in the United States District Court Northern District of Ohio, United States District...

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...

Joseph T. Joseph, Jr. is the founder and principal personal injury attorney for Joseph Law Group in Cleveland, Ohio. His legal experience focuses on litigating and successfully negotiating settlements for those affected by a personal injury or wrongful death. Joe has earned thousands of victories for personal injury victims throughout his career. He is also well-versed in appellate court, including involvement in a major insurance coverage victory decided by the Supreme Court of Ohio. He is authorized to practice law in Ohio and the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio and recently admitted to practice...

Kristen M. Kraus has extensive experience in handling civil jury trials in both state and federal court. She has litigated cases in nearly every county in Northeast Ohio, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

Kristen joined Dworken & Bernstein upon graduation from law school in 2001. Since joining the firm, she has been representing victims of personal injury, as well as those injured in workplace accidents. A significant portion of her current practice is devoted to representing injured workers in workers’ compensation matters both at the Industrial Commission of Ohio and at the...

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...

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 Kevin Attkisson has devoted his career to representing injury victims against the insurance companies. He has handled thousands of personal injury cases including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, dog bites, and slip and falls. He has personally conducted nearly 100 jury trials for his clients, and he has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for his clients. The aftermath of an accident can be a confusing and frightening time for many people as victims strive to cope with the physical, financial and emotional toll that the accident has taken. Kevin is proud to offer one-on-one legal services to...

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...

Jo A.Tatarko focuses on Commercial Litigation, representing clients in the areas of breach of contract, lease disputes, construction disputes, business disputes, and all other aspects of business litigation. Jo devotes 90% of her practice to litigation. In 2007 when Jo first joined Dworken & Bernstein, she was as a member of our Workers’ Compensation practice group. She represented individuals who were injured at work, both at administrative hearings before the Industrial Commission of Ohio and in Common Pleas courts in Ohio.

As a family law practitioner, Anna Parise helps clients through divorce, child support, spousal support, and custody. Highly rated in peer reviews throughout her career, she is active in bringing family law legal services to those who cannot afford it. Anna’s legal practice includes domestic relations, divorce, family law, child support, spousal support, and custody. Anna is also frequently appointed by trial courts in Cuyahoga, Geauga, and Lake Counties as guardian ad litem to protect the interests of children. Formerly with a small boutique firm specializing in labor law, Anna joined Dworken & Bernstein Co., L.P.A. in 2005 becoming partner...

William is a criminal defense attorney. He attends court on an almost daily basis. He travels to courts all over Central Ohio. William founded Lehner Law LLC in 2020. William loves solving problems for others. In his spare time, he enjoys kayaking and hiking with his dog, wife, and two children.

The Nickolls Law Firm, LLC is a Northeast Ohio Family Law Firm dedicated to advocating for families and resolving complicated and unique family issues, including divorce, child custody, alimony, property division, child support, prenuptial agreements, guardian ad litem services, mediation services, and post decree litigation.

In 1971, Mr. Malek entered into private practice and opened his own law firm in Columbus, Ohio. The Law Firm of Malek & Malek emphasizes representation of those people tragically injured in workers' compensation accidents, automobile collisions, dog bite and other serious injury events. For nearly 40 years, he has provided expert legal services to the community, representing many fine people and citizens of greater Columbus and surrounding counties.

Stuart E. Scott graduated Order of the Coif from Ohio State Law School in 1995, after which he joined Spangenberg Shibley & Liber. In 2005, he became a partner at the firm. He represents clients in matters such as wrongful death, medical malpractice, defective products, and dangerous drugs. He also helps handle Consumer Rights cases. Mr. Scott was selected for inclusion in the list of Super Lawyers® Rising Stars? from 2005 through 2008, after which he was selected for the list of Super Lawyers® for three years. He serves on the Board of Directors for both the Cleveland Academy of...

Ben Calkins is an honors graduate of Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School.After law school, Mr. Calkins clerked for a Federal Judge before joining one of the World's largest law firms, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey.Mr. Calkins has also worked at and been a partner in several of the other most prominent old style law firms.

Ben Calkins started listening to the clients and to their many complaints about old style law firms.Mr. Calkins was committed to complete and total client satisfaction from the start of his legal career and recalls, with some pride, a client at his first...

For most lawyers, it’s all about the money. And it could have been for me, too: I landed a cushy, high-paying job right out of law school defending insurance companies from individual claims. But I realized almost immediately that my heart wasn’t in it. The job, as comfortable as it was, lacked the rush. And instead of helping people fight their cases in front of juries as a great trial lawyer, I was doing research all day and representing nameless entities I had never even met. So I quit and decided to start my own firm where I could work exclusively towards becoming...

William Hawal is a partner at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber. For more than 25 years, he has represented clients in numerous litigation matters and in 2015, he was named the Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers for medical malpractice in the northeast Ohio area. He is admitted to practice in the Ohio Supreme Court, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio. Since 2006, Mr. Hawal has been consistently selected for inclusion in the list of Super Lawyers®. He achieved an AV® rating on Martindale-Hubbell®, as well as being listed as a...

Tad has focused extensively on Domestic Relations matters. In this role, Tad has counseled clients through high asset divorce cases, domestic custody and visitation matters, out-of-state and foreign custody disputes, and has successfully both brought and defended contempt actions and civil protection orders. Tad has handled both high asset divorce cases from the inception to completion at trial, and has also successfully minimized court involvement for his clients through negotiating advantageous settlements.

Along with developing his Domestic Relations practice, Tad has also gained considerable experience as a trial lawyer in criminal and traffic matters. Tad is experienced in negotiating desirable plea...

Chris Crull was born and raised in Indiana. After graduating from high school, Chris enlisted and served in the US Navy from 1986 – 1990, achieving the rank of E-5.

After the Navy, Chris attended Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, and earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy. From there, Chris attended Kent State University and earned a Master’s Degree in philosophy.

After earning his Master’s Degree, Chris spent several years teaching introductory philosophy classes at Kent State University and at the University of Connecticut. During those years, he also worked as a cabinet...

While many attorneys will state that they practice law throughout the State of Ohio, Attorney Hux is likely part of a much smaller amount of attorneys who have actually lived in the Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland areas. This means that Attorney Hux actually knows the people of Southwestern Ohio, Central Ohio, and Northeast Ohio, in addition to the unique challenges each region brings.

Attorney Hux’s desire to help those in need has always been a cornerstone of his identity. That desire to help people, coupled with an innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life, has led...

My name is Chris Vogt and I am an Attorney at the Malek Law Firm LLC in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. I was born in South Carolina, but I was raised and grew up in Fairlawn, Ohio. From a young age, my parents instilled in me the values of integrity and diligence. After high school, I attended the University of Akron where I studied political science and business administration. Upon earning my bachelor’s degree, I made the decision to attend the University of Akron School of Law. While attending Law School, I was a member of Akron Law’s Trial Team, and...

Mike’s legal practice is focused on representing investors and developers in a wide range of real estate matters, including acquisitions, developments, sales and leasing, litigation, and opportunity zone consulting. Mike has experience representing clients on residential and commercial transactions, with a focus on representing clients in the acquisition of multi-family apartment properties. Mike has also advised clients on more than $500M of opportunity zone related projects.

Ryan R. McNeil owns and operates McNeil Law Firm, LLC in downtown Akron, Ohio. McNeil Law Firm, LLC specializes in representing individuals and small business across Northeast Ohio in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases.

Attorney Reid Yoder is a former prosecutor for the City of Akron, who has tried numerous high-profile cases. After working for the Prosecutor's Office for four years, Mr. Yoder went to work at his private practice, specializing in criminal defense, personal injury, and juvenile/domestic relations. Mr. Yoder has been honored at a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine, and has performed many acts of community service and pro-bono work. If you need representation for a personal injury or criminal case, contact Mr. Yoder today!

Attorney Rachel Lynn Smick is a family law litigator, as well as an experienced trial lawyer in matters of personal injury, probate law, and real estate matters.

Rachel first joined the prior named firm of Joseph A. Kacyon & Associates in 2015. Now, at Hoover Kacyon, LLC, Rachel focuses extensively on Domestic Relations matters. In this role, Rachel counsels clients through high asset divorce cases, complex domestic custody and visitation matters, out-of-state and foreign custody disputes, and has successfully both brought and defended contempt actions. Rachel has handled high asset divorce cases, high conflict custody and visitation matters, and post-decree matters...

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...

Mr. Wartko was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. He attended high school at Archbishop Hoban in Akron, Ohio before entering the political science program at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. While at the university, Mr. Wartko was a member of the mock trial program and an executive council member of the Beta Iota chapter of Sigma Nu fraternity. Upon graduation, Mr. Wartko attended Western Michigan University's, Thomas M. Cooley Law School. While in law school, Mr. Wartko interned for a family law practice, where he first gained an interest in the area of...

Geologist turned attorney with almost a decade of hard-core legal experience. Experienced courtroom attorney with many years of valuable background in turn-key legal representation.

At Spitz, The Employee's Law Firm, Patricia A. Brandt serves as a Partner, specializing in employment law. Her unique background includes a distinguished career in law enforcement prior to entering the legal profession. In Louisiana, Patricia broke ground as the first woman to join the parish SWAT team during her tenure at the sheriff's office. Her expertise led to her selection for the FBI Instructor Development Course, granting her the authority to teach any subject within the state's police training curriculum. Her responsibilities encompassed maintaining interior perimeters during operations and instructing officers in various disciplines, including firearms, less-lethal weapons, and...

I believe deeply in the promise of America as a nation of immigrants. Throughout our history, immigrants and refugees from all corners of the world have come to the United States, determined to improve their lives through hard work. In the process, they have made this country a h2 and great nation. We must continue to attract the best and brightest from across the globe for our nation to flourish. Our firm, Hammond Law Group, is dedicated to continuing that dream by diligently representing immigrants and temporary workers from across the globe. In addition to my work at...

Peter J. Brodhead joined Spangenberg Shibley & Liber in 1980 and just eight years later, he became a partner. He handles countless cases including those related to asbestos exposure, dangerous drugs, catastrophic injuries, and more. Having graduated from Cleveland State University Marshall School of Law, Mr. Brodhead is admitted to practice in the Ohio Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. He has been recognized with selection to the Best Lawyers in America list from 2008 through 2015, as well as listed as a...

Zachuary Meranda is a dedicated criminal defense lawyer practicing in the Columbus, Ohio area. Attorney Meranda graduated cum laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and was admitted to the Ohio State Bar in 2008, as well as the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio in 2009. Today, he pursues his passion of defending individuals who have been wrongfully accused of all types of crimes. Attorney Meranda began his career as a public defender with the Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Office. He came to realize that he was the last line of defense for many, which cultivated his...

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.

Columbus, Ohio Criminal Defense attorney Joe Edwards works vigilantly to defend and produce the best legal outcome for his clients. Prior to starting his criminal defense law practice, Attorney Edwards has experience as Assistant Attorney General in the federal litigation section, as well as experience as an Assistant Prosecutor for the Franklin County Prosecutor’s office where he prosecuted a variety of crimes in Franklin County, Ohio. He has experience on both sides of of the courtroom, providing Joe a unique insight in his ability to handle your case.

Attorney Christopher Junga has always had a passion for public service. Between private practice and his work with various Public Defender Offices in Ohio, he brings over 23 years of criminal defense experience to Luftman, Heck & Associates. With his wealth of legal knowledge and nearly 100 jury trials across the state, Chris is a resource for clients and a zealous advocate for those facing life-changing circumstances.