CMBA Law and The Land

Pablo Castro is an attorney and former magistrate, but he's pursuing his current passion in launching a Jiu-Jitsu academy after coaching Cleveland MMA Champion Stipe Miocic through his multiple world championships (and winning a world Ju Jitsu championship himself). Pat Espinosa has a dream of taking his Hispanic-focused law firm to national heights. Hear these two old friends talk about thei...

This week's My BarStory podcast demonstrates the power of CMBA's Leadership Academy. Three leadership academy graduates are now judges. Judge Bridget M. O'Brien is a newly elected judge for the Cleveland Municipal Court. Judge Joseph Burke was elected to the bench in Rocky River Municipal Court, and Judge Anne C. McDonough begins her second term with the Cuyahoga County Court of Com...

What a year! In this week's My BarStory, we chose Thanksgiving weekend to give thanks for all of the love and generosity our Bar is experiencing because of our donors! We just launched our $150 for 150 campaign, raising money to fund the Cleveland Legal Collaborative (CLC). Listen as Team CMBA members Kari Burns , Mary Groth , Chavone Nash and Caitlin Peterson review Legacy150 , look forward...

We interrupt your podcast feed this week for a special My BarStory Celebrity Edition, and we are talking about Hollywood A-listers!  Chef Michael Symon, and Anthony and Angela Russo of AGBO, blockbuster movie producers, are joined by Anthony and Angela's cousin and our President, Judge John J. Russo. As part of Judge Russo's Fit to Practice theme for this Bar year, these old friends talk...

We interrupt your podcast feed this week for a special My BarStory Celebrity Edition, and we are talking about Hollywood A-listers!  Chef Michael Symon , and Anthony and Angela Russo of AGBO , blockbuster movie producers, are joined by Anthony and Angela's cousin and our President, Judge John J. Russo . As part of Judge Russo's Fit to Practice theme for this Bar year, these old friends t...

On this Sunday before election day,, this week's My BarStory podcast features a talk with T aft Partner John Mitchell, co-chair of the Judicial Candidates Rating Coalition , the group that has published Judge4Yourself.com ratings in Cuyahoga County every year since 2002. This talk is more personal, though, as he talks with his colleague CMBA Bar Counsel Chris Klasa about living a life in the...

We were happy to hear from our Y oung Lawyers Section this week. Katrice Williams and Bianca Smith are living proof that lawyers come from all backgrounds, and some have more life challenges to overcome than others. In this week's My BarStory podcast, they explain why help for students preparing for the Bar exam will make our entire profession stronger.

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation President Meredith Shoop has a surprising background. With degrees in fine art painting and philosophy, her interests range from the arts to teaching to tireless volunteering. Her excitement for the work of the CMBF is contagious. She sat down for this personal conversation with CMBA Board Relations and Special Events Manager Caitlin Peterson.

This week, we're excited to present an encore presentation of one of our favorite episodes. If you want to feel the power of CMBA and CMBF programs all in one podcast, get ready! Past Volunteer of the Year Award Winner Paul Smith, Esq. learns first-hand stories from Lyndia Zheng (Stephanie Tubbs Jones Summer Legal Adventure) , Meagan Holloway-Ragland (Louis Stokes Scholars), and Maryssa Black...

Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr. is on the bench for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio , and retired Judge Ronald B. Adrine served for most of his career for the Cleveland Municipal Court . They are acclaimed as jurists, but also for lifting up those who seek justice and hope. The pair spoke with CMBA Director of Donor and Member Engagement Mary Groth

This week’s My BarStory features not one, but two Deans of the Case Western Reserve University School of Law . Dean Jessica Berg and Dean Michael Scharf have worked together in partnership for a decade to build Case Western Reserve’s School of Law into an international leader. CMBA CEO Becky Ruppert McMahon had a chance to sit down with them to learn how these two Deans are making sure that Case W...

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation Past President Jan Roller has three passions that she pursues with maximum intensity: her career as a trial lawyer, her commitment to raising a family, and her drive to serve the community. In today’s My BarStory, this Living Legacy Award Recipient tells us how she did it, and how she wants to be of service on a global scale. She sat down in our Studio at the...

You might know that Spangenberg Shibley & Liber Partner Nick DiCello was the star goalie when the Cleveland Crunch won Cleveland's first national sports championship (yes, before LeBron James and the Cavs). What you might not know is how much the discipline and strategy of the game has influenced how he practices law. Nick tells his inspiring BarStory to CMBA CEO Becky Ruppert McMahon.

CMBA Past President Kerin Kaminski defines success as more than climbing the ladder. As a founder of Giffen and Kaminski, and as a national leader in business litigation, Kerin believes in creating opportunities for her clients, with a consistent emphasis on community service. This week's talk with CMBA CEO Becky Ruppert McMahon tells a powerful story of how two Cleveland Bars came together a...

The CMBA has long embraced the entire business community, and First Federal Lakewood   is a perfect example of that kind of partnership. This community bank has a unique model that helps build and sustain financial stability while giving back, including generous support of the CMBA. CMBA CEO Becky Ruppert McMahon sits down with First Federal Lakewood CEO Tim Phillips to about how to build a strong...

If you want to feel the power of CMBA and CMBF programs all in one podcast, get ready! Past Volunteer of the Year Award Winner Paul Smith, Esq. learns first-hand stories from Lyndia Zheng (Stephanie Tubbs Jones Summer Legal Adventure) , Meagan Holloway-Ragland (Minority Clerkship Program), and Maryssa Blackman (Louis Stokes Scholars).

Matt Rolf and John Minter have been friends since college. They share a bond of growing up in different small towns in Ohio, and practicing in those towns before pursuing different paths in their legal careers. This conversation shows that there is definitely more than one way to practice, and that finding the right fit is a journey in itself.  

Mindfulness isn't just some fancy fad – it’s like a secret weapon for your brain, and science totally vouches for it! Get ready to dive into the world of mindfulness with none other than the experts themselves. Join Lori Wald, the former CMBA Mental Health and Wellness Chair and a certified mindfulness pro, along with the current Chair, Regan Sieperda. Together, they offer some basics of mind...

If you know Mike Ungar , you know he is humble about his career accomplishments, and his immense contributions to the CMBA as a Past President and tireless volunteer. As a long-time partner with Ulmer & Berne LLC , Mike has been named numerous times as one of the top litigators in the country. Even if Mikes doesn't want to toot his own horn, his good friend CMBA CEO Becky Ruppert McMahon...

CMBA and CMBF Past President Carter Strang has dedicated his life to the law, and to improving opportunities for young people. As the founder of the Louis Stokes Scholars program, Carter had a vision and drew people together to make that vision a reality.. In this special My BarStory podcast, hear his dedication to the Association and the Foundation continues to make our community stronger. We&apo...

Spangenberg, Shibley & Liber, LLC has been a loyal and generous supporter of our Bar since the firm was founded 80 years ago. Following the leadership of Craig Spangenberg and several other distinguished Bar presidents from the firm, Peter H. Weinberger , Dennis R. Lansdowne , and Nicholas A. DiCello all share a deep connection to the CMBA and the CMBF. Hear why they believe that community ser...

First Federal Lakewood has been a loyal partner of the CMBA and CMBF for many years. A community bank understands how giving back makes us all stronger. First Federal Lakewood Chief Credit Officer Paul Capka served for years as VP of Finance for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation. Hear why building a stronger Northeast Ohio community has guided his professional path in our latest My BarStor...

Kerin Kaminski and Karen Giffen have been lifelong friends and partners in the law for decades. These two pioneering women are joined by another longtime friend, CMBA CEO Becky Ruppert McMahon. They have a very special BarStory to tell, about the value of friendship, perseverance, and building a successful law firm.

If you know Hugh McKay, you know that he believes in a bright future for our legal community. In this special edition of My BarStory, the Cleveland Bar Association and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation Past President talks about his own legacy following in his father’s footsteps. Hugh shares the powerful story of the 3Rs, a program that he helped to found, that is still inspiring thousands of...

What do you know about the LL.M.? It's a Master of Laws, and it's especially important to lawyers who come to the U.S. and want to practice. The value of the LL.M. comes to life in a conversation with three CSU College of Law international students working to earn their degrees and practice here. It's a delightfully global conversation with CSU College of Law Director of Graduate St...