Overview
Cindy’s practice focuses on real estate professional liability representation and defense. She advises residential and commercial real estate brokerages, real estate trade associations, inspectors, appraisers, multiple listing services, and title and escrow companies throughout Ohio. She also practices extensively before the Ohio Division of Real Estate.
As outside general counsel to real estate brokerages, Cindy assists clients with transactional issues, regulatory compliance, policy development, transactional documents, and best practices to ensure compliance and minimize risk.
Cindy is peer-rated by the Martindale Hubbell® directory as AV Preeminent, the highest level of professional excellence.
Before earning her juris doctorate from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Cindy earned bachelor’s degrees in French and news/editorial journalism from Bowling Green State University.
Representative Experience
- Defended a real estate brokerage and agent on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) claims culminating in a directed verdict.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of a real estate agent in litigation in which the plaintiff buyer claimed that the agent breached fiduciary duties and was professionally negligent in a home purchase transaction.
- Successfully moved for judgment on the pleadings in a lawsuit in which the plaintiff buyers asserted causes of action for breach of contract, fraud, professional negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty; defended the decision in the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals, which affirmed the trial court’s decision.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of a real estate brokerage in litigation in which the plaintiff buyers asserted fraud, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty claims against the brokerage.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D., 1991
- Bowling Green State University, B.A., French, 1988
- Bowling Green State University, B.S., Journalism, 1988
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
Community Involvement
- Ohio Supreme Court Mentoring Program, Mentor
Firm Involvement
- Associate Mentoring Program, Mentor
Awards & Honors
- Listed as AV-Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list (2013-2014, 2017 – Present)
- Recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business on its Notable Women in Law list (2024)
- Recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business on its Notable Women in Real Estate list (2018)
Presentations & Lectures
- Presentations for 32 County MLS system, MLS Now Annual Spring and Fall Brokers’ and Managers Forum (2013 – Present)
- “Preparing for the New Normal: Buyer Representation Agreements and the Future of Real Estate Commissions,” Ohio REALTORS® Panel (May 2024)
- “Preparing for the New Normal: Buyer Representation Agreements and the Future of Real Estate Commissions,” Ohio REALTORS® 2024 Winter Conference (January 2024)
- “Legal Update 2023,” Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS® (November 2023)
- “Ohio Real Estate Brokerage Responsibilities,” Lake & Geauga Area of REALTORS® (October 2023)
- Ohio Association of REALTORS® Statewide Annual Conventions – Legal Issues Forum (2004, 2012-2014, 2016, 2022, 2023)
Representative Experience
- Defended a real estate brokerage and agent on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) claims culminating in a directed verdict.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of a real estate agent in litigation in which the plaintiff buyer claimed that the agent breached fiduciary duties and was professionally negligent in a home purchase transaction.
- Successfully moved for judgment on the pleadings in a lawsuit in which the plaintiff buyers asserted causes of action for breach of contract, fraud, professional negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty; defended the decision in the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals, which affirmed the trial court’s decision.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of a real estate brokerage in litigation in which the plaintiff buyers asserted fraud, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty claims against the brokerage.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D., 1991
- Bowling Green State University, B.A., French, 1988
- Bowling Green State University, B.S., Journalism, 1988
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
Community Involvement
- Ohio Supreme Court Mentoring Program, Mentor
Firm Involvement
- Associate Mentoring Program, Mentor
Awards & Honors
- Listed as AV-Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list (2013-2014, 2017 – Present)
- Recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business on its Notable Women in Law list (2024)
- Recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business on its Notable Women in Real Estate list (2018)
Presentations & Lectures
- Presentations for 32 County MLS system, MLS Now Annual Spring and Fall Brokers’ and Managers Forum (2013 – Present)
- “Preparing for the New Normal: Buyer Representation Agreements and the Future of Real Estate Commissions,” Ohio REALTORS® Panel (May 2024)
- “Preparing for the New Normal: Buyer Representation Agreements and the Future of Real Estate Commissions,” Ohio REALTORS® 2024 Winter Conference (January 2024)
- “Legal Update 2023,” Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS® (November 2023)
- “Ohio Real Estate Brokerage Responsibilities,” Lake & Geauga Area of REALTORS® (October 2023)
- Ohio Association of REALTORS® Statewide Annual Conventions – Legal Issues Forum (2004, 2012-2014, 2016, 2022, 2023)
