Jenifer E. Novak Photo

Jenifer E. Novak

Of Counsel

Overview

Jenifer focuses her practice on defending general product liability claims, mass toxic torts, and general business disputes, including breach of contract and warranty claims in both federal and state courts. She is part of national coordinating counsel teams for several clients that manage asbestos and benzene toxic tort claims across the nation, as well as active local trial counsel in Ohio. Jenifer’s toxic tort practice also includes defending clients in the emerging cosmetic talc litigation.

Jenifer obtained a degree in Criminal Justice from Kent State University. She also received a minor in Paralegal Studies as part of the university’s inaugural graduating class in this area. Realizing her passion was with the practice of law rather than law enforcement, Jenifer worked for several law offices after graduation gaining valuable experience with plaintiffs’ personal injury law, criminal law, and general litigation. She continued employment with a large international defense firm as a paralegal throughout law school.

Jenifer is also active with the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA) Certified Grievance Committee, which is comprised of local attorneys and members of the community. Through the CMBA, the Committee receives and investigates grievances about potential violations of the Ohio Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar and Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct governing attorney conduct. 

In addition to her litigation practice, Jenifer values the opportunities she has as a volunteer lawyer for The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, as well as her volunteer efforts to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Lifebanc and her local school district.


Practices

    • Represented several Fortune 500 companies in individual and collective case dockets of multi-million dollar toxic tort litigation pending in both state and federal jurisdictions.
    • Current National Coordinating Counsel for nationwide toxic tort docket for multiple companies.
  • Education

    • Cleveland State University College of Law/CSU College of Law, J.D., 1999
    • Kent State University, B.A., Criminal Justice, 1992

    Admissions

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

    • Ohio State Bar Association—Member (2000-Present)
    • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association—Member (2000-Present); Certified Grievance Committee Member (2016-Present); Certified Grievance Committee Second Vice Chair (2021-2022)
    • American Bar Association—Student President, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1998)

    Community Involvement

    • Diversity Center, Walk, Rock and Run—Executive Leadership Team (2020)
    • The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland—Volunteer Attorney (2001-Present)
    • National Multiple Sclerosis Society—Walk MS Member and Supporter, Team Sherwin-Williams (2006-Present)
    • Lifebanc—Volunteer/Supporter (2000-Present); "Over the Edge" Rapel Participant (2021)
    • Inducted into Time Well Spent Honor Society—The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (2024)
    • Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list (2020-2024)
    • Named to The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions-Defendants (2020-2024)
    • Recipient of the Volunteer Lawyer Award—The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (2014)
    • Editor, Law Review, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1998)
    • "Ethical Considerations for In-House Counsel," Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Webinar (August 2020) 
    • "A Lawyer's Well-Being," Frantz Ward Litigation Seminar, Cleveland, OH (September 2019) 
    • "Ethical Issues for In-House Counsel," Frantz Ward Litigation Panel Series, Cleveland, OH (September 2018)
    • “UM/UIM Update,” Settling Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Claims Seminar, Cleveland, OH (February 2002)