When you or your family have been harmed by neglect or malpractice, you need an advocate who cares deeply about fighting for a fair resolution.

My professional career has always been driven by a desire to help people who need that kind of advocate. I began as a registered nurse and developed into a lawyer. When I was a nurse I stood up for my patients — and as a trial attorney I continue to stand up for people and families who need answers and accountability.

That’s why my firm focuses on serving people who have been treated unfairly by hospitals, corporations, and nursing homes across Ohio. I specialize in evaluating and prosecuting many kinds of personal injury cases. If you’re seeking justice for nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, unexplained death, vehicle accidents, or other negligence, please reach out for a free consultation.
   
My firm is small by design. It’s my own name on the door. That means I’m selective about the cases I take so that I can personally work all aspects of your case: handling your lawsuit, interviewing witnesses, researching legal and medical issues, and engaging experts. When you hire me it’s the beginning of a partnership, not a single meeting before a handoff to junior staff. Your case is extremely personal. So is my work for you. 

Professionally, one of my most gratifying roles is to challenge nursing homes that don’t deliver the care they promise. Personally, I want to do even more to help nursing homes deliver better care. So I’ve teamed up with Music & Memory, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s. Please see to learn how you can help bring joy into seniors’ lives one tune at a time.

In the end, I believe that law is the great equalizer. It’s what allows individuals like you and me to stand equal with professionals and corporations. Together we can challenge them and hold them accountable for the harm that they cause.

Credentials

Law School

• Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, 1987
• Established Student Chapter of Association of Trial Lawyers of America

Registered Nurse Graduate

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Akron, 1982
• Licensed in Ohio, 1982
• Nurse, University Hospitals of Cleveland

Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College

• Graduate 2003
• Faculty member 2010

Faculty Member, Trial Lawyers College

Professional Leadership

Organizations

• Member, Executive Committee, Ohio Association for Justice (OAJ), 2009-2011
• Chair and Member, Continuing Education Committee, OAJ, 2009-2010
• Member, Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys
• Trustee, Ohio Association for Justice
• Member, American Association for Justice
• Member, Ohio Women’s Bar Associations

Awards

• Distinguished Service Award, Ohio Association for Justice, May 12 2011
• Distinguished Service Award, Ohio Association for Justice, May 13, 2010
• Distinguished Service Award, Ohio Association for Justice, May 14, 2009

Lectures

• “Preparation of Plaintiff’s Expert in a Product Liability Case,” Ohio Academy of Trial Attorneys, Annual Seminar
• “Political Subdivision Immunity and the Public Duty Rule,” Ohio, Toledo and Cleveland, January 2007
• “The Focus of the Case: What Do Juries Think?” Ohio Association for Justice, Cleveland, Ohio, September 28, 2007
• “Evidentiary Issues Under the Tort Act of 2005: Challenging Evidence of Failure to Wear Seat Belt and Challenging the Defense Annuity Expert,” Ohio Association for Justice, Columbus, Ohio, March 14, 2008
• “Nursing Home Negligence: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” Ohio Association for Justice Annual Seminar, Columbus, Ohio, May 9, 2008
• “Challenging Nursing Home Arbitration Agreements,” Podcast for Ohio Association for Justice
• “Fighting Mandatory Arbitration Agreements,” Ohio Association for Justice Nursing Home Seminar, September 18, 2014

Publications

• “Claims Against the State: The Public Duty Rule” – OHIO TRIAL Magazine, Summer-Fall 2006
• “Winning Challenges for Cause: Hall v. Banc, A New View Towards Conducting Voir Dire” – OHIO TRIAL Magazine, Winter 2008
• “Winning At Defeating Nursing Home Arbitration Agreements” – Ohio Association for Justice Advisory, October 2014