Overview

Cindy’s practice focuses on real estate professional liability representation and defense. She represents residential and commercial real estate brokerages, real estate trade associations, inspectors, appraisers, and title and escrow companies throughout Ohio in real estate and professional liability defense litigation.  She also practices extensively before the Ohio Division of Real Estate, Ohio Real Estate Commission, and Ohio Civil Rights Commission.

As outside general counsel to real estate brokerages state-wide, Cindy assists clients with transactional issues, regulatory compliance, policy development, transactional documents and best practices to ensure compliance and diminish risk.

Cindy has been honored as an Ohio Super Lawyer and is peer-rated by the Martindale Hubbell® directory as AV Preeminent, the highest level of professional excellence.

Cindy earned her juris doctorate from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1991 and was admitted to the Ohio bar that year. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in French as well as a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Bowling Green State University.

Practices

  • Education

    • Bowling Green State University, B.A. French, 1988
    • Bowling Green State University, B.S. Journalism, 1988
    • Case Western Reserve University School of Law. J.D., 1991

    Admissions

    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio and Southern District of Ohio
    • State of Ohio
  • Professional Affiliations

    • Reminger Foundation - Director (2012-2014)
    • Ohio Supreme Court - Mentoring Program for newly admitted lawyers (2007-2020)
    • Barrister, William K. Thomas American Inn of Court - Pupillage Team Leader (2020-2021)
    • Cleveland Catholic Lawyers' Guild
    • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation - Trustee (2009), Fellow (2016-Present)
    • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association - Member; Co-Chair, 36th Annual Real Estate Law Institute (2014); Vice-Chair, 35th Annual Real Estate Law Institute (2013); Real Estate Law Institue Planning Committee (2011-2014)

    Community Involvement

    • ENCORE Chamber Music Institute - Board Member (2021 – present)
    • Neurological Institute Leadership Council, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (2015-2018); Institute Co-Chair (2017-2018)
    • Friends of the Chagrin Falls Public Library (Lifetime Member)
    • Cleveland Art Association (CARTA)
    • Ohio Supreme Court Mentoring Program
    • Crain's Cleveland Business - Notable Women in Law (2024)
    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated - Martindale-Hubbell
    • Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list (2013-2014, 2017-2024)
    • Crain's Cleveland Business - Notable Women in Real Estate (2018)
    • H.B. 532 Updates to Chapter 4735, including Broker Supervisory Responsibilities, NORMLS, July 2017
    • Good Funds Law Changes Take Effect April 6, 2017, NORMLS, April 2017 
    • Real Estate Broker Fiduciary Obligations, NORMLS, October 2016
    • Considerations Relating to Unauthorized Practice of Law, NORMLSs, October 2014
    • Broker Payments to Unlicensed Entities, NORMLS, February 2014
    • Exercise Caution When Communicating Via E-Mail in Real Estate Transactions, Ohio REALTOR®, May 2011
    • Planned Community Act Affects Homeowners’ Rights and Obligations, Reminger Report, March 2011
    • Appellate Court Relaxes Ohio Division of Real Estate Investigative Timeframes, Reminger Report, July 2010
    • Ohio Real Estate Broker and Agent Liability, Reminger Co. LPA monograph, January 2010
    • Protect Yourself from Legal Challenges, Lake County Association of REALTORS® Journal, Winter 2002
    • How REALTORS® Can Assist with Acquisition, Sale, and Finance of Residential Property, Cleveland Bar Journal, March 2000
    • “Preparing for the New Normal: Buyer Representation Agreements and the Future of Real Estate Commissions,” Ohio REALTORS 2024 Winter Conference (January 2024)
    • "Legal Update," Akron Cleveland Association of Realtors (November 2023)