Chagrin Falls Lawyers

Following graduation from law school, I earned the honor of serving as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Peter C. Economus of the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio. During my time with the court, I analyzed federal civil matters and assisted the judge in drafting memoranda of law, court opinions, and court orders. In 2008, I joined a national shopping center development and management company as in-house counsel. While there, I researched and explained changes in current laws and regulations to department heads and other corporate counsel; as well as advised corporate heads on legal compliance...

William Balena is an experienced bankruptcy and traffic trial attorney. Bill is an active member of NACBA. He attends annual workshops and continuing education in the area of advanced consumer bankruptcy issues. He represents consumers in chapter 7 and chapter 13. Bill is also a former city prosecutor and is well versed in traffic defense including Ohio drunk driving (OVI, DWI, DUI) and speeding tickets.

I am experienced in the following types of litigation: consumer protection, foreclosure, commercial litigation, collections, corporate disputes, criminal defense, personal injury, medical malpractice, appellate advocacy and also practices in the area of corporate law. I am a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Cuyahoga County Bar Association. I am an active member of St. Adalbert’s Church in Berea, and was a member of the St. Adalbert’s Parish Council from 2009-2015. I am a member of the Lawyers Guild of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, a Den Leader for Cub Scout Pack 107, a member of the Middleburg Heights...

Chad Hoover Herrnstein was born and raised near Akron, Ohio. Growing up, his father John Herrnstein worked alongside his grandfather (Orval Hoover) at Hoover, Heydorn, & Herrnstein Co. LPA – a law firm in Cuyahoga Falls. From an early age, Chad knew he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his family and become an attorney. Chad Hoover Herrnstein received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with a minor in Homeland Security, from The University of Akron in 2012. He continued his education at The University of Akron School of Law. Chad finished law school in the top 10% of...

I am an attorney, arbitrator and mediator with expertise in construction law, employment and labor law, litigation, and business disputes. I have litigated and served as a neutral in hundreds of cases involving construction disputes, commercial business disputes, and employment disputes. AV rated by Martindale Hubbell since 1994, signifying the highest standard of legal abilities and professional ethics and conduct. Member of the ADR Federal Court Panel for the Northern District of Ohio, the panel of arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association, serving as an employment, construction and commercial arbitrator, a member and former Chair of the Construction Advisory Council...

30 years experience practicing law. My practice consist in large part of divorce, dissolution, custody, modifications and appeals in domestic relations and Juvenile courts in Northern Ohio, including Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, and Lake Counties.

Upon completion of his education from The University of Akron’s School of Law in 1999, Ken began his legal career at the law firm of Aronson & Associates. Ken’s primary focus has always been personal injury, and he has represented thousands of injured claimants. Ken strives to obtain the most favorable results for his clients, and has ensured that they are treated fairly by the insurance industry. Through his hard work, Ken has been admitted to practice in multiple courts throughout the country, has argued on behalf of plaintiffs in various appellate courts, and has even argued insurance law in...

Christian grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and from a young age, knew he was meant to be a trial lawyer. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Akron and was admitted to the University of Akron School of Law. His passion for trial work was ignited further as a member of Akron Law’s nationally ranked trial team, where he competed across the country. Christian graduated with a Juris Doctor from Akron Law, passed the Bar Exam, and was licensed to practice law in 2023. As a trial lawyer, Christian is focused on traffic, OVI charges,...

Since the beginning of my legal career, I have dedicated my skills to putting people’s lives back together. My typical client finds his or her life torn apart as a result of someone else’s carelessness, negligence, recklessness, or greed. Injuries are not always just a physical component. They are mentally exhausting. Often they create financial and emotional stress as well. I have successfully represented clients against insurance companies, banks, mortgage companies, real estate companies, trucking companies, Fortune 500 companies and local businesses as well as other individuals. I have been on the cutting edge of obtaining insurance coverage...

Frances Fitzgerald Allington, Esq. is an Ohio attorney who, having been a licensed real estate broker for twenty-two years prior to forming her law practice, deals largely with real estate law and litigation. This is not to the exclusion, however, of family law, business law and and general civil litigation. While best known for complex real estate litigation, Frances Allington presents her clients with a wide array of services and options for representation, and is always welcoming new clients. Ms. Allington has been a member of the Ohio Bar and in private practice since 1997, and earned her...

I am proud to have received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which reflects my commitment to professional excellence. Throughout my career, I have participated in several notable cases, including Grace Cathedral, Inc v Testa at the Ohio Supreme Court and Acosta vs Cathedral Buffet at the 6th Circuit in 2018. My dedication to the field of law has earned me multiple awards. I have been named a SuperLawyer every year from 2012 to 2017, and again from 2020 to 2023. This recognition is a testament to my consistent dedication and performance. I have also held significant positions in various professional organizations, enhancing...

Irene graduated from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1980 and was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1981.

Irene is also admitted to the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio; the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio; the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania; and the U.S. Tax Court.

Irene is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Trumbull County Bar Association, and NOSSCR (National Organization of Social Security Claimant’s Representatives).

Cara Santosuosso is an accomplished lawyer with a strong courtroom presence and excellent litigation skills in the areas of family law, especially custody disputes, employment issues and other civil and criminal matters. Previously, Ms. Santosuosso was associated with another prominent area litigation firm, after serving as a judicial attorney in the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals where she worked on cases dealing with administrative law, torts, labor and employment, product liability, medical malpractice, criminal law and a host of other legal matters. Ms. Santosuosso also served four years as an assistant prosecuting attorney with the Office of the...

Providing comprehensive legal services to individuals and small businesses in the greater Cleveland area. Areas of practice include divorce and dissolution, small business, probate and estate planning, personal injury, and general civil law

Sole practitioner focusing on Family Law (see below), practicing primarily in Lorain County and Cuyahoga County. Competent, compassionate, experienced representation with a sincere commitment to advocacy and the welfare of clients and children.

John J. Ready is a Certified Specialist in Family Relations Law, a charter member of The Center for Principled Family Advocacy, a member of the Cuyahoga County Guardian Ad Litem Program, and a frequent lecturer on continuing legal education topics. John J. Ready & Associates is a result-oriented firm that understands the nature of the financial, emotional, and relationship issues that arise during, and after, the termination of the marriage and offers a variety of services, including mediation, collaborative divorce, parent coordination, arbitration, and litigation to achieve realistic and optimal goals for their clients. Mr. Ready is admitted...

Attorney Jeffery S. Brown served his country in the United States Marine Corp after graduating high school. In 1997 he graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. In 2001, he graduated from the Thomas Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan with his Juris Doctor. He is a member of the Lorain County Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association.

Philip D. Althouse has been a practicing attorney since 1991 and is currently a Senior Attorney in the Economic Justice Group at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. He has successfully litigated cases against major financial institutions, mortgage companies, home improvement companies, automobile dealers, and other businesses on behalf of Northeast Ohio consumers in state and federal courts. He was author of the chapter on the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act for the Ohio Consumer Law Manual published by Thomson Reuters from 2010 through 2016. The manual is widely used among attorneys in Ohio and frequently cited as...

To Michael P. Mazanetz, the greatest personal professional reward comes when a client’s long wait for oftentimes badly needed Social Security disability benefits comes to an end with a decision in their favor.

“Some of those people have worked 25-30 years, and they’ve had some accident at work or at home or they’ve been diagnosed with a serious illness, and all of a sudden the money stops coming,” he says. “It can be a long process to go through, so when they get that news, it’s always a highlight.”

Atty. Mazanetz is a Mahoning Valley native, raised in Newton Falls, where he...

Attorney Andrea C. Kryszak has been practicing law for more than ten years at Kryszak & Associates, which is formerly known as Lessing & Kryszak; the Law Offices of Robert E. Lessing, Jr.; and Lessing & White & Roig. She focuses her practice in the areas of Estate Planning, Estate and Trust Administration, Elder Law, Real Estate and Small Business law. Ms. Kryszak's commitment to the community is manifested by her involvement with the Lorain County Bar Association as a member of the Executive Committee (Vice President), the New Lawyer Committee (Chairperson), the Fee Arbitration Panel and the Judicial...

I use two skills many lawyers who practice in the areas of estate planning, small business and probate have lost or do not use: careful listening, and careful, custom document drafting. I listen carefully to what my clients tell me, and i produce work that makes sense and accurately reflects client's intent.

The Law Office of Attorney Curt P. Bogen LLC, has represented clients upon a wide range of issues, including Divorce and Family Law Issues, DUI Defense, and Personal Injury cases. Known as hard working, tough and aggressive, he is a respected "pull-no-punches" practitioner, respected for being a skilled litigator, tough in the Courtroom, as well as for his skills as a practical negotiator with extensive mediation skills. Attorney Curt P. Bogen, a 1986 Kent State University Graduate (BBA with dual degrees- Business Management, Human Resources Management), obtained his Juris Doctorate (Doctorate of Laws) from...

David J. Michalski spent nearly 20 years as a commercial litigation attorney and partner at one of Cleveland's largest and most-respected law firms before forming his own firm, The Michalski Law Firm, LLC. David represents individuals and companies in all types of business, employment, real estate and investment-related disputes.

Attorney Mark Rafidi is the founding partner of Rafidi, Pallante & Melewski, LLC, formerly known as Amendolara & Rafidi, LLC. This Ohio-based law firm has multiple office locations that allow them to take on injury clients from Columbus, Canfield, and the entire state of Ohio. Although personal injury cases are their focus, they also concentrate on other areas of law including business counseling and corporate law. Throughout his career, Mr. Rafidi has negotiated many multi-million dollar contracts, and won multi-million dollar settlements and awards for his injury clients. He doesn’t just take on any case that comes his way. Attorney...

I have been in the practice of law for over two decades and have clients all over the United States and some overseas. I have years of jury trial experience against all kinds of opposing parties from multi-billion dollar corporations to the local county prosecutor's office. I am a member of the prestigious million dollar advocates forum which less than 1% of all trial lawyers are members of, and I have prevailed in litigation against companies such as big three auto manufacturers, steel makers, nuclear materials providers, and won cases against corporate giants like Kellog Brown and Root (KBR)and Halliburton....

Attorney James Hausen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree with honors in 1996 at the University of Akron. He passed the CPA exam in Ohio in 1996 on the first attempt. At that time less than 30% passed the whole CPA exam on the first attempt. He worked in accounting from 1996-1998 while pursuing his M.B.A. degree. He received his M.B.A. degree in 1998 when he decided to go to law school.
He graduated from the University of Akron School of Law in 2001 with a Juris Doctor and Master of Taxation degree and passed the bar exam...

Lisa Owings graduated from The University of Akron School of Law with her Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in Intellectual Property. Lisa Owings practices primarily in debt defense. Attorney Owings is licensed in Ohio, Nebraska, North Dakota, Missouri, New Jersey, Utah, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Carolina.

Taylor Thatcher Law, LLC is a Family Law practice dedicated to serving clients with limited financial resources who have traditionally been underserved by the Akron (Summit County) legal community.

In addition to representing clients, I conduct Divorce Clinics and Child Custody & Parenting Time Clinics at Legal Aid for those interested in representing themselves (pro se) in court proceedings.

In addition to providing quality legal counsel at a reduced cost, I donate pro bono (free hours) to help clients resolve family disputes and navigate a complex legal system.

Andrew Jaffe has been a licensed attorney since 1977. For the past seventeen years he has limited his practice to E-Commerce and Internet Law, advising and counseling his clients throughout the United States and the world on the intricacies of web related laws. Mr. Jaffe is able to help his clients wherever they reside, using local co-counsel only when needed to appear in court. Andy prides himself on providing individual representation and unparalleled service to all of his clients. While clients might be able to find another lawyer with Mr. Jaffe’s experience, the biggest difference between...

Attorney Matthew Marsalka graduated from Cleveland State University-Cleveland Marshall College of Law in 2012. Since then he has gained years of experience representing injured clients throughout Ohio.

Matthew ensures that he is available to clients and will take the time to explain complicated legal proceedings. He takes pride in obtaining the best possible results for his clients and understands that your case, whether big or small, deserves to be handled with the utmost attention. If you retain Marsalka Law, you will receive personalized and responsive representation.

Attorney Marsalka believes everyone deserves an...

Patrick J. D'Andrea currently represents numerous landowners and small businesses in the Ohio Utica and Marcellus Shale Oil and Gas play including leases and leasing, amending existing leases, pipeline agreements and rights of way, oil and gas mineral sales, location agreements and much more. He has been involved in Business and Personal Injury cases and litigation for over 30 years. He has represented many fortune 500 companies in the Oil and Gas and Real Estate Development aspects of his business. He has litigated hundreds of business and personal injury cases. Previous: Director of Development, Summit County, Ohio, Akron City Councilman...