SUPER ATTORNEYS
CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | A1
JANUARY 30, 2026
Local Lawyers / Super Attorneys Local Jewish attorneys included in this section completed a questionnaire that was emailed to attorneys and/or firms. The Q&A form was also available at cjn.org and was included in the Boker Tov e-newsletter. Some opted not to answer all questions and some answers were edited for clarity and brevity. To view the list of Local Lawyers / Super Attorneys online, including attorneys added after deadline, visit issuu.com/cjpc. Attorneys did not pay to be included in this directory. Compiled by Ellie Evans. Fred J. Arnoff Law firm: Weston Hurd LLP Undergraduate university: Miami University Law school: The University of Akron School of Law What skill/trait do you believe is most essential for young lawyers entering the field today: 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.
Jennifer Martinez Atzberger Law firm: Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. Age: 53 Residence: Bay Village Undergraduate university: Occidental College Law school: Cleveland State University College of Law What is the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received: Treat people the way you would want to be treated. If you weren’t practicing law, what career could you see yourself in: I always thought I wanted to be a writer or an editor. What is one misconception people often have about your area of law: Education law is a pretty unknown area. It’s really just an extension of disability and civil rights law, but most people do not realize there is so much overlap. What skill/trait do you believe is most essential for young lawyers entering the field today: Empathy. The whole world could use more of it right now. What technological tool/innovation has most changed the way your practice law: Zoom and Microsoft Teams. What is a community cause/organization you care deeply about: Anything related to immigrant rights and due process is very under attack right now. My family escaped from Ukraine and survived because they could seek asylum in the U.S. I am so sad that we are treating our fellow humans so cruelly right now.
Immigrants are what makes America great. How do you relax: Yog and dog walks. What is your favorite Jewish holiday tradition/ family custom: I have always loved the tradition of throwing bread crumbs in water for Yom Kippur. I love the symbolism of a clean slate.
Rachel Bagnolo Law firm: Pepper Pike Capital Partners, LLC Age: 33 Residence: Westlake Undergraduate university: West Liberty University Law school: The University of Akron School of Law What is the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received: You can disagree without being disagreeable. What is your favorite Jewish holiday tradition/family custom: Passover.
Joshua Bass Law firm: Taft Stettinius & Hollister Age: 32 Residence: Cleveland Synagogue: Solon Chabad Undergraduate university: University of Michigan Law school: Chicago-Kent College of Law What is the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received: Never confuse activity with impact. It pushed me to stop measuring my day by how busy I felt and start measuring it by the results I created. Now, whether I’m in a meeting, drafting a document or leading one of my deals, I always ask what moves the needle and adjust my priorities so my time matters. If you weren’t practicing law, what career could you see yourself in: General manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers. What is one misconception people often have about your area of law: You can ask any lawyer about any area of the law. What skill/trait do you believe is most essential for young lawyers entering the field today: The most essential trait for young lawyers today is adaptability with sound judgment. The legal landscape, technology and client expectations all move quickly, so the lawyers who stand out are the ones who can pivot with the facts, embrace new tools and still deliver clear, steady advice that clients can
rely on. What is a community cause/organization you care about deeply: I am involved in or attend many Jewish causes, including Solon Chabad, American Jewish Committee, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. I know this is a critical time for the Jewish people and efforts should be spread anywhere and everywhere we can. How do you relax: Family, wine and Michigan football. What is your favorite Jewish holiday tradition/family custom: My favorite is Simchat Torah. Any holiday that celebrates finishing an entire book by immediately starting it over again feels very on brand for a lawyer. Plus, there aren’t many days where dancing with the scroll counts as participating in the service.
Todd Behrens Law firm: Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP Age: 47 Residence: Solon Synagogue: Congregation Mishkan Or Undergraduate university: Duke University Law school: Case Western Reserve University School of Law What is the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received: The best professional advice I’ve received is to never lose sight of the client’s perspective. In patent law, success depends on understanding both the technology and the business behind it. That advice has guided my career, helping me translate complex innovations into strong, practical patent strategies that service our clients’ long-term goals. If you weren’t practicing law, what career could you see yourself in: If I weren’t practicing law, I could see myself working in a technology focused role that bridges engineering, strategy and business. I’ve always enjoyed understanding how complex systems work and helping teams think through practical solutions, whether in product development, innovation management or advising technology driven organizations. What is one misconception people often have about your area of law: A common misconception is that patent law is purely legal and abstract. In reality, it is deeply technical and highly practical. Effective patent counsel requires a thorough understanding of how an invention works, how it fits into a competitive landscape and how to protect it in a way that
supports our client’s real-world business objectives. What skill/trait do you believe is most essential for young lawyers entering the field today: Intellectual curiosity is essential. Young lawyers need to be eager to learn, not just the law, but the technology and industries their clients work in. In patent practice especially, the ability to ask good questions, master complex subject matter and translate it into clear, strategic advice is what builds trust and long-term client relationships. What technological tool/innovation has most changed the way you practice law: Cloud computing has most changed how I practice law over my career. The ability to securely access and share large technical documents, collaborate with clients and colleagues across the world in real time and manage complex patent portfolios from anywhere has made my work far more efficient. It allows me to focus on strategic analysis and client service rather than logistics, helping me deliver precise advice while staying connected across multiple projects and teams. What is a community cause/organization you care deeply about: I care deeply about giving back to the community, particularly through organizations like the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. Supporting Legal Aid helps ensure access to justice for those who need it most, while the Jewish Federation helps sustain and enrich the social and cultural fabric of our Jewish community. Contributing to these causes aligns with my values of service, justice and helping others thrive. How do you relax: I relax by baking cookies for friends using recipes I developed during the pandemic. The tradition is as much about sharing as it is about enjoying a few treats. To balance the indulgence, I work out at Orangetheory, which gives me a great boost and keeps me moving. It’s a fun mix of creativity, community and a little healthy discipline. What is your favorite Jewish holiday tradition/family custom: My favorite Jewish holiday tradition is celebrating the Passover seder. As a child, I loved going to my grandparents’ house and celebrating with our extended family. It was always lively and full of stories, laughter and connection. My wife and I now host Passover, continuing the tradition and bringing our family and friends together. It’s a meaningful way to honor our roots while creating our own memories and strengthening family bonds.