Independence Lawyers

I have over 25 years of experience in representing individuals and families in serious personal injury, wrongful death, and workplace injury cases. Please call me today at 216-771-8188 to see if I can help you. I have an office in suburban Westlake, convenient to I-90 and I-480 with free parking and an office in downtown Cleveland, near the courts and other law firms.

Katie became a personal injury and medical malpractice attorney because she worked on the other side of these cases and learned how she wanted to use her talents. She wanted to help people and fight for them, not work for large insurance companies figuring out the least amount of money to pay someone facing a catastrophic loss. Katie is intelligent, compassionate, and a fierce advocate for her clients who treat them with kindness and empathy while always fighting for their best interests. When she’s not in the office, Katie loves traveling with her husband, reading and writing, and spending time with...

Jim Timmerberg represents plaintiffs in class action suits and complex commercial litigation matters. In addition to earning his JD from Case Western Reserve University, Jim holds a MA in European History. He was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1997. Jim began his legal career by clerking for the Honorable Donald R. Ford in the Eleventh District Court of Appeals of Ohio. Since his clerkship, he has represented plaintiffs in complex commercial litigation matters. He joined Dworken & Bernstein Co. L.P.A.’s class-action group in August 2011.
Jim received his Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University in 1996. The University...

A pre-eminent property tax attorney, Steve is the former National Director of Property Tax Services for Ernst & Young’s State and Local Tax Practice, and specializes in property tax matters throughout the United States. He has more than 25 years of experience handling property tax appeals and related matters for large national clients inclusive of national REITs and Fortune 500 companies. Steve’s experience has led to the successful representation of clients with complex legal issues related to the valuation of real and personal property for all types of commercial and residential properties. Steve’s more recent successes include the representation of...

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.

Howard Skolnick has always focused his firm on communicating effectively and timely with his clients, while fighting aggressively for the best results against insurance companies. Following a serious accident in a third world country, Howard felt the pains of his clients all too well as went through the long hard battle to recovery and life after the accident. For thirty years, Howard, an invited member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, has zealously represented seriously injured clients in both State and Federal Courts, litigating cases involving a variety of causes of action, such as wrongful death, birth/brain injuries, medical malpractice, nursing...

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...

Scott has experience litigating a wide variety of cases in federal, state, and military courts. Scott began his legal career as an attorney in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps (“JAG Corps”). As a JAG Corps attorney, Scott served as a military prosecutor in Fort Hood, Texas, leading the prosecution of servicemembers for involuntary manslaughter, sexual assault, child abuse, drug trafficking, theft of military equipment, and military desertion. Scott also served as a civil litigator with the U.S. Army Legal Services Agency. As a civil litigator, he represented the U.S. Army in environmental disputes between the U.S. Government...

Attorney with over 35 years experience. Credentials: Editor of Law Review in Ivy League Law School; trained in the large corporate law firms. Matters handled: substantial injuries, civil litigation, nursing home negligence, dog bites, accidents (motor vehicle, motorcycle, truck, train, bicycles, etc), business law, municipal bonds, commercial transactions, real estate.

Lynn is an attorney with more than 14 years of experience and a mediator that focuses on family issues. She is also trained in the area of Collaborative Divorce, a process for obtaining a Divorce without litigation. Lynn's experience includes working as a mediator for the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court and the Summit County Juvenile Court, and as an Assistant County Prosecutor in Cuyahoga County in the Children and families Division.

For fifteen years, I have been actively involved in environmental law, both as an attorney and as a regulator. I am a partner at the law firm of Frantz Ward in Cleveland and head the firm’s environmental practice. I represent businesses in all areas of federal and state environmental law, including laws governing hazardous waste clean up, brownfield redevelopment, solid waste, water, wetland and air regulation. Prior to joining Frantz Ward, I was in the senior management of Ohio EPA, holding the positions of Director, Assistant Director and Chief Legal Council. I also worked in the Ohio Attorney General's Office...

Steve Petras practices international business transactions as a partner in the Business Practice Group. He has facilitated commercial and corporate transactions in most countries throughout the world. When representing companies seeking to expand operations in foreign jurisdictions or in business transactions with parties from different countries, Steve seeks to create effective and efficient corporate and tax structures and enforceable agreements in the multiple jurisdictions involved. Furthermore, he advises on the compliance of the business activities and the parties with the applicable U.S. and foreign laws and regulations. Steve has deep experience representing clients in the manufacturing and technology industries,...

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.

Aaron Minc is a nationally recognized leader in the specialized area of Internet defamation and is known as the go-to attorney for the most malicious and challenging Internet defamation crises. His work is on the technological forefront of removing damaging content from the Internet, combating defamatory cyberattacks, and uncovering identities of anonymous Internet users. Aaron has developed cost-effective cutting-edge legal solutions for his clients’ most pressing and damaging online problems, while providing them with the peace of mind that these intrusive matters have been resolved.

I have been an employment attorney for my entire career, and I have a passion for this area of the law. This passion has led me to achieve a deep knowledge of various employment laws including various forms of wrongful termination, employment discrimination, medical leave issues, and wage and hour violations.

At Nilges Draher LLC, we will often attempt to resolve issues outside of court. But if that is not possible, we are not afraid to litigate in court. In that regard, my firm and I are very experienced. For example, I have litigated over 200 overtime and minimum wage cases...

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...

I've been practicing criminal law for over 40 years. I've handled more than 300 appeals, in the Ohio appellate courts, the Ohio Supreme Court, and the US 6th Circuit.

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...

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...

Tim Misny is an experienced Ohio personal injury lawyer. For over 30 years, Mr. Misny has worked to fight for his personal injury and medical malpractice clients to obtain fair compensation.

Growing up in the blue-collar town that is Hamilton, Ohio, I know the hardwork and sacrifices given by workers in all types of industries and they respect they deserve.That is why I am passionate about fighting for workers' rights and ensuring that employees are treated justly. Whether fighting to make sure workers are able to keep their hard earned wages or helping employees who are dealing with discrimination, sexual harassment, disability, or family medical leave issues, I stand alongside my clients and work hard to ensure they are treated fairly under the law. I have been a trial attorney...

George Mineff, Jr., an alumnus of Augusta Military Academy, The University of South Carolina, and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, has been practicing law in downtown Cleveland since 1984, expertly handling cases across northern Ohio. Passionate about his work from the beginning, he enjoys engaging with people and addressing their legal challenges. His dedication has led to a significant client base, representing individuals in Municipal Courts and Court of Common Pleas throughout Ohio. Proud of his dedicated staff, his personal approach has fostered confidence among clients, prompting them to recommend his services for personal injury cases.

Ali assists clients in managing and repairing their brand reputations through the removal of defamatory Internet content.

Dorrian knows that the answer to Shakespeare’s rhetorical question, “What’s in a name?” has never carried as much significance as it does in today’s digital world. On a daily basis, she works with individuals and businesses who have learned the hard way that their good name and reputation are shaped largely by content that can be easily accessed by anyone in the world with a quick online search. These clients have suffered the devastating emotional and financial impact of negative search results and trust Dorrian to work on their behalf as a zealous and empathetic advocate with the dedication and...

Daniel is a seasoned litigator with a stellar track record of victories as both a trial attorney and an innovative online problem solver who has emerged as an established leader in the Internet Defamation field. Because he understands that each client and each issue is unique, Daniel takes great care and pride in developing and implementing an individually tailored plan of action for every one of his representative matters. Daniel’s work is focused on achieving the one result for his clients which has defined his legal career – success.

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...

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...

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.

Brinton is personally invested in his clients’ success and thinks about how he can help his clients remove damaging content from the Internet from the moment he wakes up in the morning. He is a passionate advocate for individuals and businesses that are harmed as a result of someone intentionally abusing the Internet to cause them significant harm. He combines specialized technical knowledge of the Internet, digital investigative techniques and cutting-edge litigation skills to provide cost-effective solutions custom tailored to each client’s specific needs. Brinton works tirelessly to obtain successful results both in and out of the courtroom so that...

G. Nicholas Mineff, an alumnus of St. Edward High School, holds a Psychology and Law and Society degree from Hood College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law. He gained notable experience interning at the Frederick County State's Attorney's Office and clerking for Judge Barbara Gorman. Known for his personalized client attention, Nick is a committed community partner and belongs to several legal associations, including the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.

I was born in Frankfurt, Germany on January 21, 1956. I attended the University of Akron and received my degree in Medical Technology in 1979. I went to law school at the University of Akron, School of Law and received my law degree with honors in 1993. I am licensed to practice law in all state courts in Ohio and am a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and the College of American Pathologists.

I have been practicing law for nearly 19 years.

Manu is proud graduate of Walsh Jesuit High School in Akron, The Ohio State University, and the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Formerly with Dworken & Bernstein in Painesville, and the Law Offices of Joyce E. Barrett in Cleveland, Manu has practiced in Northeast Ohio courts for nearly 20 years exclusively in the area of domestic relations and family and juvenile law. He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Cleveland Metropolitan, Lake and Geauga Counties Bar Associations. In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Raj is a Family Law Mediator and is trained in both Collaborative...

Rigel Ariza has almost 20 years of experience in workers’ compensation. His Juris Doctorate is from Cleveland Marshall, where he was the treasurer of the Hispanic Law Students Association. Rigel is bi-lingual, fluent in both Spanish and English. For that reason, he is frequently selected to handle cases for Spanish speaking individuals and companies.

I believe that every person should have strong legal support as well as an attorney that genuinly cares about the outcome. I have handled cases all over the United States and put myself 110% to each and every case as if it were the only case I am handling.