216.458.5880
Small. Smart. Sophisticated.
Our partners have a rich history of complex practice.
Over nearly thirty years, we have represented judges, lawyers, elected officials, doctors, nurses, candidates for office, small businesses, non-profits, entrepreneurs, clergy, activists, entertainers, reporters, authors, employees, homeowners, teachers and more.
Along the way, we have helped to change the law for the better, setting significant precedents in federal and state court, all in service to our clients, one case at a time.
We are used to representing the underdog. It makes us creative, resourceful and determined. We may be small, but we punch above our weight.
We Can Help.
Who We Are
We are a small Cleveland law firm whose partners have a long history of sophisticated practice. We offer business and individual clients the benefits of that experience together with the advantages of hiring a smaller firm. Scroll through the slides below to learn where we have been and what we have done, and how we can offer first rate work at competitive rates.
Raymond V. Vasvari, Jr.
My practice focuses on litigation, with a special emphasis on First Amendment and Constitutional cases, civil rights and defamation. I have handled a wide variety of complex cases for individuals, businesses and associations, including novel cases of first impression.
K. Ann Zimmerman
My practice includes ethics, business and administrative law, transactional work, and litigation. I have a special interest in professional license representation for Ohio based professionals. I frequently consult with lawyers on ethics questions and regarding disciplinary and admissions matters.
Raymond V. Vasvari, Jr.
K. Ann Zimmerman
Who We Are
What We Do
We don't do everything. But we do quite a few things well. Listed below are some of the practice areas in which we have the most experience. If your matter involves litigation of any sort, call us. If we can't help, we can recommend trusted colleagues who probably can.
Litigation
Popular culture focuses on courtroom drama, but most lawsuits are resolved by research, analysis and brief writing well before trial.
Ray Vasvari has litigated cases ranging from minor contract disputes to precedent setting constitutional contests in state and federal courts across the country, and numerous state and federal appeals as well. He has won four unanimous victories in the Ohio Supreme Court.
Too many lawyers boast about aggression, a fine quality in a guard dog, but not the most effective skill in a game of wits. Experience, native intelligence, diligence and preparedness are the qualities on which we rely to put your case on its best footing. We have done some complicated work and achieved some impressive results. Call Us.
Legal Ethics
Many lawyers will, in the course of a career, have their actions contested by a client or an opponent on ethical grounds, or find themselves in situations which present ethical dilemmas that call for seasoned, solid advice.
Ethical inquiries can affect your license and, just as important, your reputation.
With more than twenty years experience investigating, prosecuting and defending cases involving attorney misconduct and bar admissions, Ann Zimmerman has the insight to help you when it matters most.
First Amendment
Few areas of the law engender the sort of passion and controversy that surround the First Amendment. Speech and religion are core liberties, and the law surrounding them is vast, subtle, and complex.
Ray Vasvari has litigated dozens of First Amendment cases, involving the speech and religion clauses, both as the Ohio Legal Director of the ACLU (1998-2003) and in private practice. He has the insight and experience to navigate the complexities of constitutional litigation.
Authors, bloggers, podcasters, political commentators, demonstrators, newspapers and others have relied on us to protect their right to freedom of expression, and religious liberty. We can help you too.
Civil Rights
The rights enshrined in the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee equality and dignity before the law to every person, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, disability, national origin or, increasingly, sexual orientation.
The fight for freedom has been long, and for many Americans, is far from over. Liberty and equality are just words unless government officials are compelled to abide by them. Too often, it takes the intervention of the courts to ensure fair play.
We have the experience in constitutional and civil rights cases to help defend your rights.
Professional Licensing
For twenty years, partner Ann Zimmerman was deeply engaged in the admission, discipline and disbarment of lawyers in Cleveland. She has an intuitive understanding of how licensing and regulatory boards work, and how professional admissions and discipline are handled by the many state agencies charged with their oversight.
We have helped attorneys, physicians, nurses, realtors and other professionals apply for, obtain, and defend their licenses before state boards and agencies. We can help you navigate the process of obtaining and defending your license.
Defamation
Defamation - libel and slander - is an increasingly common cause for litigation. The rise of the internet has multiplied exponentially the number of forums in which to criticize others, and leave an indelible record of having done so. Honest criticism and legitimate matters of opinion can today, more than ever, land you in court.
Ray Vasvari has represented print authors, bloggers, editorial writers and others in the media defend against defamation suits - a subject which draws heavily upon his decades of First Amendment experience.
If you have been sued for defamation, or if your own reputation has been injured by false statements, you need experienced counsel who understand the nuances and the constitutional questions that govern defamation suits in Ohio and nationwide.
Non Profit Law
Between them, our partners spent twenty-five years as in-house counsel to major non-profit associations. In addition, they have served on the boards of non-profit corporations, as trustees of their church, and as a gubernatorial appointed member of a state humanities agency.
Partner Ann Zimmerman gained a wealth of experience in twenty years as General Counsel to the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association & Foundation. She has extensive experience relating to non-profit board governance, staff and fiscal management, bylaws and policies, member and donor relations, and in the creation, and dissolution of non-profit corporations.
We understand the non-profit world because we have been an active part of it, and are likely to have the experience you need when your non-profit agency needs legal guidance.
School Law
Disputes arising in an educational setting are almost always emotionally charged, and can quickly become complex. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators often have divergent interests, and their rights and obligations are governed by a wide range of local, state and federal rules.
State and federal laws, administrative regulations, Constitutional requirements, local rules, contracts and case law can combine –and not always clearly – to shape results in many cases. What is more, educational disputes often move on a fast procedural track.
We have represented students in cases involving discipline, civil rights, and disabilities, teachers and professors in employment disputes, citizens against school administrators in constitutional cases and school board members in various contexts.
Zoning & Land Use
Real property, whether commercial or residential, can often be the largest asset that you own. Maximizing the enjoyment and use of your property, however, too frequently means dealing with obstacles – and lawyers.
Zoning and other land use restrictions, code violations, homeowners associations, and difficult neighbors can make property ownership a problem to be solved as much as an asset to be enjoyed.
We have helped clients - both homeowners and businesses – in these sorts of disputes, and chances are that we can help you too.
Elections & Public Officials
Legal disputes involving elected officials can start before they enter office and persist long after they are gone.
We have been involved in a variety of cases involving the election, recall or misconduct of public officials. We secured ballot access for the Independent mayor of a major Ohio city, sued to force the recall of a controversial school board president, challenged the governor when he refused to call a special election to replace an ousted congressman (the fourth such case in U.S. history – we won), assisted with voter protection efforts in the 2004 general election, defended elected officials in ethics inquiries, and more.
Eclectic and fact specific, these can be complex cases. Our skills in litigation and our deep familiarity with constitutional cases help us get up to speed fast in disputes which are often resolved on accelerated schedules.
From Our Colleagues
A very fine lawyer and a credit to our profession. Whether I am working with him or against him, I know they I will be dealing with an excellent lawyer with a strong sense of right and wrong and a great deal of professionalism.
Martindale Hubbell, Confidential Peer Review, 2014
From Our Colleagues
While I am proud to call Ray my friend, I am also proud of the outstanding legal representation that he provided to me and my family in recent complex real estate litigation.
Mark Kindt, Attorney • Lakewood, Ohio
From Our Colleagues
I have known Ann Zimmerman for years, since her days as bar counsel, and as a law-firm managing partner, have consulted with her on legal-professional matters including legal-ethics and attorney bar-admission issues. Her experience and knowledge positions her well to help resolve complex legal and ethical issues promptly and efficiently.
Subodh Chandra, Managing Partner, The Chandra Law Firm
From Our Colleagues
I've had the privilege of working and consulting with Ray Vasvari on various civil-rights matters over the years. He is a distinguished lawyer and first-rate legal writer who, as former legal director for the ACLU of Ohio, has the depth of experience and knowledge of civil-rights, First Amendment, constitutional, and defamation matters to be an effective and tenacious advocate for his clients. He has experience with difficult and complex cases—and the perseverance to win.
Subodh Chandra, Managing Partner, The Chandra Law Firm
From Our Colleagues
Ann has been my go-to expert and adviser on matters of professional ethics and licensure for more than twenty years. As volunteer trial counsel to the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, I worked with her on many grievance matters over the years and have always known her to be smart, focused, knowledgeable and well-prepared. Since she entered private practice, I routinely refer clients to her, confident that they will be in the hands of a skilled legal adviser and zealous but caring advocate. Ann is well-respected in the legal community, has excellent communication skills and is always a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend her.
Cathleen Bolek, Partner, Bolek Besser & Glecius
What We Add
With more than 10,000 lawyers in Greater Cleveland, you will find good counsel, if you search carefully and well. In many cases we can offer exceptional value, delivering first quality representation with the sort of economy, agility and client service that only a small firm can offer. We are not right for everyone, but as you search for counsel, consider the benefits of hiring small, smart and sophisticated.
Small
There are no Fortune 500 CEOs in our waiting room. To us, every client is a major client, and can expect to be treated that way. When you hire us, you deal with us, one-on-one, without associates, paralegals or other gatekeepers running interference. Our model is a bit old-fashioned, but to us professional service means personal service, for every client, every day.
Smart
It may be immodest, but we are pretty smart. We have solid academic credentials, have taught in law schools, provided continuing education to colleagues and educated the public through media and other appearances. The best lawyers approach the law as scholars – diligent, well read, inquisitive, and with careful deliberation. That is what we strive to be.
Sophisticated
People hire law firms, but lawyers represent clients. How well they do turns on their experience. Our partners have deep experience in their respective practice areas, and can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the business. The representation you get comes down to the quality of lawyer by your side, not the name of the firm on their business card. We've been around the block. We can help.
Progressive
Our partners have spent nearly thirty years committed to advancing liberty and equality through the law. We have advocated for unpopular causes, represented the marginalized and disenfranchised, worked hard for inclusion and relentlessly championed free expression. Our clients have never been a monoculture of grey flannel suits. Our waiting room looks like America.
Articulate
"A word," Justice Holmes taught "is the skin of a living idea." The legal universe is governed by the laws of language, and no contract, argument, or brief is better than the words that frame it. A Phi Beta Kappa English major and a collegiate debating champion, we've been word geeks since we were kids. We are proud of the clarity, precision and persuasive power of our writing. It is a central part of who we are.
Economical
Sound legal advice and particularly litigation don't come cheap. But when your rights, reputation and assets are on the line, you shouldn't have to choose between price and quality. We offer exceptional value, with an hourly rate that is significantly below that charged by colleagues with similar experience. We run a lean operation, and limit overhead, which allows us to compete not just on quality but on price.
It's Your Call
We would be happy to discuss your legal concerns and see what we can do to help. The first call is free, and everything we discuss remains strictly confidential, whether you hire us or not. Before you call or visit, please read the important information below about appointments, when representation begins and how to provide relevant information before we meet.
About Retaining Us
While we are happy to speak with you and consider your options, we are not your attorneys, and will not represent you in court or otherwise, until a formal retainer agreement as been signed and any agreed upon retainer has been paid. We take only a small percentage of the cases referred to us. Because the law imposes deadlines on legal actions don't wait until the last minute to call us, and do not assume we will represent you.
Before You Call
It helps us to help you if you are well organized when you call. Please be sure to have any important documents at hand, to check the dates of important events and to have contact information for potential witnesses available. It will save us all time and help us assess your case more efficiently. Please do not send us documents through the mail or otherwise unless we have requested them.
About Appointments
All in person meetings have been suspended until further notice due to the pandemic.
Because we are a small firm and have busy schedules, all office visits are by appointment only. We will not meet with walk-ins. We can usually schedule an appointment within seventy-two hours of your call, and sooner in emergencies. Please be sure to bring important documents with you, and be prepared to spend between an hour and ninety minutes when we first meet.
Vasvari | Zimmerman
attorneys & counselors-at-law
20600 Chagrin Boulevard
Tower East Suite 800
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122-5353
T 216.458.5880
F 216.302.3700
Hours
Monday to Friday
9:30 am to 5:30 pm Eastern
Closed Legal Holidays