Frantz Ward is proud to share that
Christopher C. Koehler, Partner in the Frantz Ward Litigation Practice Group, is a recipient of the Our Lady of the Wayside Nonprofit Board Executive of the Year Award for his devotion, service and leadership with the West Side Catholic Center. This award is part of The Medical Mutual Pillar Awards for Community Service and will be presented during a ceremony and dinner on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at LaCentre Conference and Banquet Facility in Westlake, OH
Celebrating its 21st year,
The Medical Mutual Pillar Awards for Community Service, presented by
Smart Business, honors leaders and businesses of all types and sizes that make outstanding contributions to their communities. Its purpose is to encourage a charitable environment, recognize creative efforts that make a difference and demonstrate the ties between the for-profit and nonprofit worlds. The Pillar Award embraces a broad definition of community service that can consist of charitable giving, volunteerism, pro bono work or other forms of giving back.
The
West Side Catholic Center (WSCC) is one of Cleveland’s premiere social service agencies. Since 1977, the WSCC has offered hot meals, hospitality, clothing and household goods, emergency services, advocacy, a family shelter, and a housing solutions program to those in need at no charge, regardless of religious affiliation. The organization’s mission is: Grounded in faith, hope, love and respect for those we serve, the West Side Catholic Center assists all who come in need of food, clothing, shelter, advocacy and a path to self-sufficiency.
Chris has been dedicated to the WSCC for over 15 years. He has served on the Board of Directors since 2013 and is currently the President of the Board. During his tenure, the organization has undertaken monumental enhancements, such as certification by CARF International, an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services, the transition to a new Executive Director, the renovation of a new Resource Center, including an adjacent two-story building purchase, and the recent completion of a comprehensive three-year strategic plan.
Chris focuses his law practice on helping client navigate disputes, whether by handling litigation or by counseling them on how to best avoid or resolve their disputes. He handles trial and litigation of business disputes of all types, including claims involving business torts, trade secrets, non-competition agreements, distribution agreements, and breach of contract and warranty claims. He also has extensive experience in the defense of product liability and toxic tort claims, and has represented manufacturers of a wide range of products, including automobiles, industrial equipment and various consumer products. Chris is named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list, The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Commercial Litigation and is rated AV Preeminent Peer-Reviewed, the highest ranking, by Martindale-Hubbell. He received his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and his B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross.