Overview
Pat Lipaj is a trial lawyer and business advisor. A former prosecutor, Pat is battle-tested in the courtroom with significant litigation experience as lead counsel, including jury trials, bench trials, and oral arguments in the Court of Appeals. He draws from his background as a small business owner to provide practical advice and tenacious representation for a wide array of businesses—from entrepreneurs to established corporations.
Prior to joining Frantz Ward, Pat served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, handling felony cases in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas and appellate matters in the Eighth District Court of Appeals, giving him insight into how prosecutors build and evaluate cases. He also served as a Litigation Associate at an AmLaw 200 firm.
Pat is deeply committed to pro bono work, especially representing wrongly evicted tenants, and active in the Cleveland community. He serves on the adjunct faculty at the Cleveland State University College of Law.
Representative Experience
- Represented the State of Ohio as an Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor in adult felony cases.
- Drafted appellate briefs and argued on behalf of the State of Ohio during hearings before the Eighth District Court of Appeals.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Cleveland State University College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2020
- Editor-in-Chief, Cleveland State Law Review
- The Ohio State University, B.A. and B.S., 2016
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Involvement
Community Involvement
- Cleveland State University College of Law, Adjunct Professor (2022 – Present)
- Cleveland Leadership Center, OnBoard Cleveland (Class of 2023)
- Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op, Board of Directors (2021 – 2022)
- West Side Catholic Center, Associate Board (2017 – 2021)
Representative Experience
- Represented the State of Ohio as an Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor in adult felony cases.
- Drafted appellate briefs and argued on behalf of the State of Ohio during hearings before the Eighth District Court of Appeals.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Cleveland State University College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2020
- Editor-in-Chief, Cleveland State Law Review
- The Ohio State University, B.A. and B.S., 2016
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Involvement
Community Involvement
- Cleveland State University College of Law, Adjunct Professor (2022 – Present)
- Cleveland Leadership Center, OnBoard Cleveland (Class of 2023)
- Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op, Board of Directors (2021 – 2022)
- West Side Catholic Center, Associate Board (2017 – 2021)