CMBA Law and The Land

Thomas G. Heron predicts that marijuana in Ohio will become a billion dollar industry in the next year. He should know. He’s Ohio’s leading cannabis law attorney, and Partner in Frantz Ward’s Cannabis Law Practice Group . In this latest edition of CMBA’s Law and The Land podcast, Tom sat down with CMBA CEO Chris Schmitt and provides fascinating insights into how weed became legal in Ohio, why he h...

"If we're not going to stand up for lawyers and law firms who are our members, what are we even doing here? And if we're not going to speak up and protect the integrity and independence of the courts, what are we even doing here?" That's CMBA Immediate Past President Matthew D. Besser talking about why we are hosting powerful discussions about the Rule of Law and the role...

Blind Injustice is a musically diverse opera telling the inspiring stories of six people who spent decades in Ohio prisons, only to finally be exonerated and granted the freedom they always deserved. The CMBA is a proud sponsor of Blind Injustice at Playhouse Square July 11-13, 2025. Tickets are on sale now at playhousesquare.org . Produced in Cleveland by Chagrin Arts , Blind Injustice opened to...

Did you know that women are more than 50% of law school graduates, but have only 20% of senior management positions in U.S. law firms? That's just one of the compelling issues facing women in law. In this episode of My BarStory, we look forward from International Women's Day with a powerful discussion including new data from an Ohio state-wide survey of attorneys. These four accomplished...

In 2025, the CMBA has issued a number of statements regarding the Rule of Law and why defending it is the very foundation of this organization. So why do we do it? Why do we take public opinions on issues that might be controversial? Let’s hear it straight from the CMBA’s leadership. In this edition of My BarStory, CMBA President Matt Besser , President-Elect Nick DiCello , and Vice President of I...

Last year, we introduced you to the first cohort of Cleveland Legal Collaborative Fellows. These new lawyers were filled with passion for serving those who can’t afford market-rate legal services. Now, it’s time for the new class! Freshly arrived in 2025, Aireus Johnson , Ange Mastandrea , and Josh Selby are already working to help the Cleveland Legal Collaborative to reach even more people in nee...

Just how much has the practice of law changed in the last 50 years? We're going to learn how much from two men who have practiced here in Cleveland for more than half a century. Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Charles L. Patton, Jr. and Richard S. Koblentz have seen it all, from dictation machines and ashtrays, to Zoom meetings and AI. Has it been a change for the better? Listen as two old fr...

Today we are launching the third season of our My BarStory podcast by returning to our roots. My BarStory began as a living history of our Bar over 150 years.  In this season three opener, we hear the amazing story of 50-year Cleveland Bar veteran Ken Lusnia, who practiced law in Cuyahoga County starting in 1970, with the support of his wife and a growing family of nine children. He grew to teach...

Fr. Raymond Guiao has always been a teacher. His impact as President of St. Ignatius and the Welsh Academy has been tremendously beneficial to Northeast Ohio families, especially those of more modest means. In this week's My BarStory podcast, St. Ignatius Alumnus and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation President Eric Levasseur shares an emotional reunion with a long-time mentor. The CMBF wi...

“I was actually thinking, I don’t think it matters if I’m alive.” Those were the thoughts that led CMBA member Stacey Ganor to finally face her mental health challenges and get real help. Along the way, she inspired her friend and CMBA member Heather Zirke on her own quest for a happier life. This week’s My BarStory podcast episode features these two lawyers and friends sharing their personal stor...

Karyn Washington is an attorney and active CMBA leader. She also has an extraordinary story to tell about struggle, perseverance and success. Karyn was denied the opportunity to take the Bar exam after spending years learning the law, all while struggling with a debilitating mental illness. She worked for years to heal and recover. Karyn is sharing her story with CMBA President Matt Besser, and wi...

Big new ideas are coming to the CMBA, from our members, our staff, and from new CMBA and CMBF CEO Chris Schmitt. If you don't know Chris, this conversation is a great way to start. Chris talks about growing up in Ohio's farm country and the value of hard work. He explains how a philosophy degree launched him into an amazing career. And he tells CMBA President Matthew D. Besser why our Ba...

Mental illness doesn't just affect individuals. It affects families, teams, and even the entire legal industry. As we continue our emphasis on lawyers' mental well-being with our In It Together theme. Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP Firm Chair John Cipolla wanted to share his story. He tells CMBA President Matt Besser what he has learned, and what he wants others to know about helping...

The CMBA is proud to present our first class of Cleveland Legal Collaborative Fellows! The Cleveland Legal Collaborative is a brand-new legal resource for people and families who need legal help, but who fall into the justice gap and can't afford a market-rate attorney on their own. Join Cleveland Legal Collaborative Fellows Abby O'Leary, Joe Javorsky, and Tyler Portner as they talk with...

Lauren Hamilton wants to share her story to help others. Her legal career and her life were nearly destroyed by addiction. But, she came forward. She asked for help. Now, in this special edition of My BarStory, she talks with CMBA President Matt Besser to help remove the stigma of substance abuse and addiction, with the hope that her honest story will inspire those who have been afraid to get help...

Technology has put a whole new twist on the challenges of work and family. Senior Associate Attorney with the Family Law Group B. Nicole Bush, and Reminger Shareholder Allison M. McMeechan talk honestly about the reality of being a professional and a parent in a Zoom-powered world. New technology gives us new opportunities and often new stress! Hear the lessons they've learned and the challen...

Our theme for this Bar year is "In It Together".  CMBA 2024-25 President Matthew D. Besser is dedicated to creating honest conversations about mental health like the one you're about to hear. University of Akron law students John Enger and Tatyana Norman-Webler share honest stories of dealing with mental illness while working hard to get through law school and build a career. Would...

“We were the helpers, now our daughters are now the professionals.” You might not remember the CMBA Auxiliary, which dissolved in 2000, but the legacy of that organization lives today in Mock Trial, the 3Rs and our Stokes Scholars program among others. Both in their 90’s, Kay Niehaus and Elaine Pryatel are reunited for this special BarStory podcast. They share stories about how the auxiliary start...

CMBA's My BarStory podcast is back with a new episode, and it deals with a critical topic. Mental health concerns are always high on the list for lawyers, with stress and substance abuse being two of the biggest traps in this profession. Join Liner Legal Attorney Andrew November for a story of overcoming mental and personal challenges to build a successful career. He's joined by his long...

This week's MyBarstory podcast features an honest discussion about Celebrating the Lived Experiences of Black Attorneys. This challenging and compelling conversation was recorded on the last day of Black History Month. Moderated by Judge Lasheyl N. Stroud of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, a ttorneys Brandon Brown, Leslie S. Johns , and Ron V. Johnson share their obstacles and oppo...

In a world where information is online and at our fingertips, we can forget the value of good old personal connections. Like the CMBA, the Cleveland Law Library turned 150 years old recently, and that’s not where the comparisons end. Join Librarian and Chief Administrator Kathleen Dugan, along with Cleveland Law Library Association President and CMBA Board Member Carla M. Tricarichi, and Past Pres...

We are proud to present a new episode of our My BarStory podcast this week. The battle over the desegregation of Cleveland schools began in the 1960’s, and culminated with a 27-year series of legal actions that became one of the most important and legendary cases in Cleveland history. Learn about this pivotal case from the attorneys who were there. We feature James Hardiman , Raymond Ling , Dan Mc...

CMBA Director of Member and Donor Engagement Mary Groth has been behind the scenes raising money for our Legacy150 Fund , and helping to tell the history of the CMBA for our 150th birthday in 2023. In this special edition of our My BarStory podcast, Mary takes center stage to tell her BarStory. She's joined by old Bar friends CMBA Past President Jose Feliciano , and Retired McDonald Hopkins P...

Our second season of My BarStory podcasts continues on Sunday at Noon with the release of our session with Ellen Hobbs Hirshman and Meghan P. Connolly from Lowe Scott Fisher . These two attorneys work together, but launched their careers in very different ways. Not everyone is born with a passion for the law, sometimes the career finds them! It's a wonderful discussion about mentorship, about...

Rocky River Municipal Court Judge Donna Congeni Fitzsimmons December 31st, 2023. Among her most notable accomplishments was serving as the lead prosecutor in   a three-month trial in federal court that resulted in the conviction of former Cleveland Mafia boss Angelo Lonardo and five of his subordinates. This was the time when Cleveland was called "Bomb City" because of organized crime bo...