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 nationwide and is an active local trial counsel in Ohio. Jenifer’s toxic tort practice also includes defending clients in 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 full-time employment with a large international defense firm as a paralegal throughout law school and joined that same law firm as an attorney once she graduated.
Jenifer is also active with the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA) Certified Grievance Committee (term beginning in 2016), which is comprised of local attorneys and community members. Jenifer was honored to be selected to serve on the Committee’s leadership as successive Vice-Chairs and then Chair from 2021 to 2024. Through the CMBA, as sanctioned by Gov. Bar R. V, 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, work with her firm serving breakfast for the homeless clients of the Westside Catholic Charities, and her local school district.
Representative Experience
- 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.
- Local and national litigation work involves substantive case evaluation to provide counsel on meaningful case strategy.
- Assisted client and client representatives with collaboration with local counsel to prepare for discovery and motion practice.
- Provide counsel on litigation budgets that include trial preparation and trial.
- Participate in substantive negotiations throughout all stages of litigation.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Cleveland State University College of Law, J.D., 1999
- Author Submission, Law Review (1999)
- Kent State University, B.A., Criminal Justice, 1992
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
- 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)
- Certified Grievance Committee, First Vice Chair (2022 – 2023)
- Certified Grievance Committee, Chair (2023 – 2024)
- 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 (2006 – Present)
- Lifebanc, Volunteer/Supporter (2000 – Present)
- “Over the Edge” Rappel participant (2021)
Firm Involvement
- Women’s Initiative, Committee Member
Awards & Honors
- Inducted into Time Well Spent Honor Society—The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (2024)
- Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list (2020 – Present)
- Named to The Best Lawyers in America® list in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions-Defendants (2020 – Present)
- Honored with the Volunteer Lawyer Award by The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (2014)
Publications
- “Whether the ‘same-juror’ or ‘any-juror’ rule applies … that was the Question in Ohio,” Frantz Ward Blog (September 2024)
- “Study Shows Decline Over Four Decades in the Number of Asbestos-induced Mesothelioma Diagnoses,” Frantz Ward blog post (August 2023)
- “What’s new from Ohio House Bill 99? (A summary with a quick Q/A),” Frantz Ward Blog Post (September 2022)
- “Social Media: Part 2 – Additional Commentary on the Attorney Use of Social Media,”Frantz Ward blog post (September 2021)
- “Social Media: Part 1 – Summary of Recent Ohio Supreme Court disciplinary opinion,”Frantz Ward blog post (September 2021)
- “Ohio Court Avoids the Application of Schwartz v. Honeywell Int’l, Inc.,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (August 2020)
- “Northeast Ohio Restaurants Seek Injunctive Relief from COVID-19 Orders,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (June 2020)
- “U.S. Supreme Court Expands Manufacturers’ Duty to Warn,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (March 2019)
- “Is The Cumulative-Exposure Theory” Compatible with Ohios Asbestos Statute? (ORC 207.91) et seq.? Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator (February 2018)
- “Ohio Products Liability Law,” Ohio Tort Law, West Publishing—Chapter Six (2004-2009)
Presentations & Lectures
- “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)
Media Coverage
- Mentioned in, “Lawyers, Firms Receive Recognition,” Cleveland Jewish News (January 2021)
Representative Experience
- 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.
- Local and national litigation work involves substantive case evaluation to provide counsel on meaningful case strategy.
- Assisted client and client representatives with collaboration with local counsel to prepare for discovery and motion practice.
- Provide counsel on litigation budgets that include trial preparation and trial.
- Participate in substantive negotiations throughout all stages of litigation.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Cleveland State University College of Law, J.D., 1999
- Author Submission, Law Review (1999)
- Kent State University, B.A., Criminal Justice, 1992
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
- 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)
- Certified Grievance Committee, First Vice Chair (2022 – 2023)
- Certified Grievance Committee, Chair (2023 – 2024)
- 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 (2006 – Present)
- Lifebanc, Volunteer/Supporter (2000 – Present)
- “Over the Edge” Rappel participant (2021)
Firm Involvement
- Women’s Initiative, Committee Member
Awards & Honors
- Inducted into Time Well Spent Honor Society—The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (2024)
- Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list (2020 – Present)
- Named to The Best Lawyers in America® list in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions-Defendants (2020 – Present)
- Honored with the Volunteer Lawyer Award by The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (2014)
Publications
- “Whether the ‘same-juror’ or ‘any-juror’ rule applies … that was the Question in Ohio,” Frantz Ward Blog (September 2024)
- “Study Shows Decline Over Four Decades in the Number of Asbestos-induced Mesothelioma Diagnoses,” Frantz Ward blog post (August 2023)
- “What’s new from Ohio House Bill 99? (A summary with a quick Q/A),” Frantz Ward Blog Post (September 2022)
- “Social Media: Part 2 – Additional Commentary on the Attorney Use of Social Media,”Frantz Ward blog post (September 2021)
- “Social Media: Part 1 – Summary of Recent Ohio Supreme Court disciplinary opinion,”Frantz Ward blog post (September 2021)
- “Ohio Court Avoids the Application of Schwartz v. Honeywell Int’l, Inc.,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (August 2020)
- “Northeast Ohio Restaurants Seek Injunctive Relief from COVID-19 Orders,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (June 2020)
- “U.S. Supreme Court Expands Manufacturers’ Duty to Warn,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (March 2019)
- “Is The Cumulative-Exposure Theory” Compatible with Ohios Asbestos Statute? (ORC 207.91) et seq.? Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator (February 2018)
- “Ohio Products Liability Law,” Ohio Tort Law, West Publishing—Chapter Six (2004-2009)
Presentations & Lectures
- “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)
Media Coverage
- Mentioned in, “Lawyers, Firms Receive Recognition,” Cleveland Jewish News (January 2021)
