68 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG
Local Lawyers / Super Attorneys Jack Abel Firm: Abel & Zocolo Co., LPA
Hometown: Beachwood Undergraduate University: OSU Law School: University
have and continue to work toward these goals.
What three words best describe you: Loyal, steadfast, divergent thinker What accomplishments are you most proud of as an attorney: I am proud of the services I have provided to my clients throughout my career, and the positive results in meeting their needs.
of North Carolina School of Law
Todd Behrens Firm: Calfee, Halter &
How has Judaism played a role in your career: It has taught me to always What would a client be surprised to learn about you: I once placed third in One Lap of America – Cannonball Run.
What accomplishments are you most proud of as an attorney: As a family law attorney,
Fred J. Arnoff Firm: Weston Hurd LLP Undergraduate University: Miami University
Law School: The University of Akron School of Law
What accomplishments are you most proud of as an attorney: A career as a lawyer is a special calling. As lawyers, we are in an extraordinary position to assist individuals and business organizations, and promote the public good. Over 45 years of practice, my clients have constantly challenged me with problems that are almost always different, intellectually stimulating and never boring.
Stacy L. Bauer Firm: BauerGriffith LLC Hometown: Solon Synagogue: Park
Marc J. Bloch Firm: Walter Haverfield
Griswold, LLP
LLP
Hometown: Cleveland Synagogue: Celebrating
Hometown: Chagrin Falls Synagogue: The Temple-
Jewish Life
Tifereth Israel
Undergraduate University: Ithaca College Law School: Elon
Undergraduate University: Miami
University
Law School: CSU College
University
Crystal & Liffman Co., LPA
mind.
University
Synagogue: Anshe Chesed
What’s the best advice you’ve received as an attorney: Know that you don’t know everything. What accomplishments are you most proud of as an attorney: I was able to help
Heights
Law School: CWRU School
Fairmount Temple
of Law
Undergraduate University: University of
been entrusted to handle protecting cuttingedge technology for entities of all sizes, from multinational companies to solo inventors. I am most proud when I see my clients’ innovations come to market. An example is that I recently was able to ride in one of our client’s fully autonomous vehicles on a recent trip to San Francisco. We have been working to protect their innovations for a number of years, and I was really proud to have the opportunity to experience their technology as it begins to be publicly deployed.
Gayl Berger Firm: Gayl M. Berger, Esq. Hometown: Beachwood Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation
Undergraduate University: Indiana
Law School: The George Washington University Law School
How has Judaism played a role in your career: Micah 6:8 – Try to always keep that in
Hometown: Shaker
What three words best describe you: Trustworthy, creative, team builder. What accomplishments are you most proud of as an attorney: My team and I have
University
of Law
Hugh D. Berkson Firm: McCarthy, Lebit,
Fairmount Temple
the concept of tikkun olam. I attempt to make the world a better place by helping others through my practice and providing resources to organizations such as Legal Aid, which provide invaluable services to those who may be at a disadvantage in our community.
Synagogue
foundational instruction to both do good and do well. I subscribe to these principles in providing guidance and counsel to my clients, and in the philanthropic endeavors of my firm. Judaism teaches that the world is a work in progress, and we need to make ourselves, our society and the world into a better place. Throughout my career I
Joshua Berggrun Firm: Calfee, Halter &
Undergraduate University: Duke
How has Judaism played a role in your career: Throughout my career, I try to embrace
Undergraduate University: Miami
How has Judaism played a role in your career: My Jewish upbringing has provided
Attorneys included in this section completed a questionnaire that was emailed to attorneys and/or firms. The questionnaire was also available at cjn.org and was included in our Boker Tov e-newsletter. Some opted not to answer all questions and some were edited for brevity. Compiled by Meghan Walsh and Andy Isaacs.
Griswold, LLP
Hometown: Solon Synagogue: Anshe Chesed
be inquisitive and open to new ideas.
being able to help people in sometimes their most difficult times, and, of course, having had the opportunity to successfully argue cases in the Ohio Supreme Court.
LOCAL LAWYERS
JANUARY 27, 2023
Texas at Austin Law School: CWRU School of Law
How has Judaism played a role in your career: While my legal career has focused on litigation, which too often serves as an excuse for attorneys and parties acting poorly under the excuse “It’s a lawsuit,” I’ve tried my best to incorporate the concept of chesed in the litigation process. We can be adversarial, but not adversaries. Even when declining a potential case, I’ve explained my reasoning to potential clients without judgment or criticism – something they have unfailingly appreciated.
What would a client be surprised to learn about you: I’ve biked across Iowa. Three times.
of Law
How has Judaism played a role in your career: Judaism teaches me everyday, yet
Hollister
Undergraduate University: Miami University
Law School: CWRU School of Law
Robert Botnick Firm: The Botnick Law Firm, LLC
Hometown: Shaker
What accomplishments are you most proud of as an attorney: We handled a case about a
Synagogue: B’nai
decade ago in which we represented more than 50 households who were taken in by a national Ponzi scheme investment pitched by a local firm. While class action attorneys who were working the case from a different angle tried to force a pittance of a settlement upon every victim nationwide, we worked with firms across the country to fight that class action settlement. We not only won, but led the way to our clients, the class itself and other investors across the country receiving far more in settlements.
Undergraduate University: Miami
Irv Berliner Firm: Taft Stettinius & Hollister
provides space to be my own person.
Undergraduate University: Miami
What would a client be surprised to learn about you: I went to law school at age 36, with
Law School: OSU Moritz
three young children.
College of Law
What’s the best advice you’ve received as an attorney: Prepare, prepare, prepare.
Howard Bobrow Firm: Taft Stettinius &
Oh, and I still have all the records I purchased in high school and thereafter.
University
Law School: CSU College
keep a number of clients as viable businesses in Cleveland.
University
Heights Jeshurun Congregation
University
Law School: CSU College of Law How has Judaism played a role in your career: When I was in high school, I studied Talmud during Sunday school. I learned how different interpretations of the text can exist and to engage in the debate and exchange of ideas as to their meanings. Looking for context clues and how our ancient laws can apply to our times continues to play a role in how we interpret modern case law, statutes and rules of court. These interpretations of the laws arise daily when making arguments on behalf of our clients and when we encourage the courts to accept our own analyses.
What three words best describe you: Warm, personable, insightful. What accomplishments are you most proud of as an attorney: The pandemic hit during my term as president of the Cuyahoga Criminal