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S. Michael Lear

Cleveland Criminal Defense

Partner Trial Attorney

sml@zukerman-law.com
Call Now: (216) 696-0900

S. Michael Lear

Cleveland Criminal Defense

Partner Trial Attorney

sml@zukerman-law.com
Call Now: (216) 696-0900

After six years at a law firm where he worked on the infamous “Kirtland Cult Killings” case, Michael came to Zukerman in 1996. An experienced criminal and civil attorney, Michael concentrates on large, complex cases. He also has significant experience in the areas of felony criminal defense, OVI/DUI defense, personal injury cases, and appeals, or appellate cases.

Michael is respected within the Firm as a trial tactician, especially proficient in organizing and synthesizing large volumes of documents and evidence in complex criminal and civil cases. He has found that thorough preparation provides him with a purer focus, and in trials, his binders overflowing with documents is a common sight. Michael believes it is crucial that he involve his clients as much as possible in all aspects of legal proceedings. He explains the charges, how the process works, the possible penalties, what a bond is, who has the burden of proof, and so on, to his clients so that they can follow each stage of the case; for instance, if negotiation occurs, clients can better understand their position.

Michael is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, the Cuyahoga County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Geauga Bar Association, and the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, where Michael is currently the Chair of the Publication Committee. Michael is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association where he serves on the Certified Grievance Committee. Michael is also a member of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers where he has served as Chair of the Publications Committee from 2009-2015; Secretary (2013-2014); President-Elect (2014-2015) and President (2015-2016).

Michael is a happily married father of three adult daughters – his oldest daughter works for the law firm of Sennett/Fisher, LLC, and his youngest daughter is a student at Kent State University. The “middle” daughter, Shannon, is a student at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and is currently clerking at Zukerman. When not at work, Michael can often be found bingeing on caffeine at Beans Coffee Shop & Bistro in Chardon, owned by Michael’s wife, Colleen.

Affiliations

  • William K. Thomas Inn of Court
    Cleveland Bar Association

  • Cuyahoga County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Geauga Bar Association

  • Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers – Chair of Publication Committee 2009-2015

Admissions

  • CMBA – Certified Grievance Committee

Education

  • 1985-1988 CWRU School of Law Juris Docter

  • 1987-1985 The Ohio State University Bachelor of Arts – Major, Criminology

Experience

• Adjunct Professor at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Law

• September 1989 to March 1996: Associate Attorney with Bernard, Haffey & Bohnert Co.,  L.P.A., Lyndhurst, Ohio. Responsibilities included criminal and civil litigation and appellate  representation in municipal and state courts. 

• March 1996 to 1999: Associate Attorney with Zukerman & Associates Co., L.P.A., later,  Zukerman & Daiker Co., L.P.A., Cleveland, Ohio. Responsibilities included criminal and civil  litigation and appellate representation in municipal, state, and federal courts. 

• 1999 to 2018: Shareholder and Partner, Zukerman, Daiker & Lear Co., L.P.A., Cleveland, Ohio.  

• 2019 – : Shareholder and Partner, Zukerman, Lear & Murray Co., L.P.A. Responsibilities  include criminal and civil litigation and appellate representation in municipal, state, and federal  courts; attorney disciplinary proceedings. Experience in State Court includes criminal trials in  major felony cases as well as civil trial work. Experience in municipal courts includes trials in  Driving Under the Influence, Domestic Violence, Menacing by Stalking, and Menacing cases. 

• Experience in Federal Court includes civil trial work in a civil rights case. Appellate experience  includes criminal and civil appellate representation in the Eighth, Ninth, and Eleventh District  Courts of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Ohio, as well as federal appellate representation in the  United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit.

Contact Attorney S. Michael Lear Today

sml@zukerman-law.com
Call Now: (216) 696-0900
sml@zukerman-law.com
Call Now: (216) 696-0900
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