Business Details
Trusted Legal Representation in Cleveland, OH
Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell has been serving clients since 1867, combining a legacy of legal excellence with forward-thinking solutions tailored to modern challenges. Our multidisciplinary team delivers exceptional results in business law, real estate, trusts and estates, and litigation, prioritizing personalized service and sensitivity to client needs. With attorneys licensed across eight states, we provide strategic counsel to individuals, families, and businesses navigating complex legal matters. Our firm's foundation in Cleveland has fostered a reputation as one of Ohio's most respected legal advisors, recognized for innovation and community leadership.We maintain a client-first approach, blending time-tested wisdom with modern strategies to solve high-stakes legal challenges. Our attorneys hold leadership roles in professional associations and have earned distinctions such as Fellowships in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. With over 150 years of experience, we continue to raise the bar for legal service quality while preserving our commitment to personalized client care.
Services
Business Law
Real Estate
Estate Planning
Trusts and Estates
Litigation
Commercial Transactions
Probate Administration
Data Privacy
Mergers and Acquisitions
Tax Planning
Highlights and features
- We offer over 150 years of combined legal expertise across multiple practice areas.
- Our attorneys are licensed in eight states, providing regional and national coverage.
- We maintain a client-first approach with personalized, solution-oriented service.
- Seven attorneys hold Fellowships in the prestigious American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
- Our team includes Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch honorees and Leadership Cleveland participants.
Associations and certifications
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
Services
Business Law
Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell's business law practice provides comprehensive counsel on formation, mergers, acquisitions, and operational challenges. Our attorneys combine century-long expertise with modern strategies to address complex transactions and regulatory compliance. We serve clients ranging from startups to multinational corporations across diverse industries.
Real Estate
Our real estate attorneys handle commercial transactions, development projects, and financing agreements with proven expertise. We offer innovative solutions for leasing arrangements and environmental compliance, drawing on decades of experience in Northeast Ohio's property market. Services include title review, contract negotiation, and dispute resolution.
Trusts and Estates
The firm specializes in asset protection, tax planning, and multi-generational wealth transfer strategies. Our attorneys create customized trusts and estate plans while administering complex probate matters. Seven practitioners hold Fellowships in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, demonstrating exceptional expertise.
Litigation
Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell's litigation group handles commercial disputes, employment cases, and appellate advocacy with a proven track record. Our attorneys employ strategic trial representation and alternative dispute resolution methods to achieve favorable outcomes. The team has secured numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts for clients.
Estate Planning
We develop comprehensive estate plans incorporating wills, trusts, and tax strategies to preserve family wealth. Services include charitable planning, prenuptial agreements, and retirement distribution planning. Our approach balances legal precision with personalized guidance for long-term security.
People
David M. Lenz
Managing Partner
David M. Lenz leads Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell's management team with extensive experience in trusts and estates. He focuses on estate planning and tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies while maintaining active involvement in professional associations.
Charles F. Adler
Partner
Charles F. Adler specializes in estate planning and probate administration with decades of experience. He provides strategic counsel on asset protection and multi-generational wealth preservation for high-net-worth clients.
Veronica T. Garofoli
Partner
Veronica T. Garofoli represents clients in complex business transactions and litigation matters. Her practice spans commercial contracts, employment law, and corporate governance issues across multiple industries.
James D. Vail
Partner
James D. Vail focuses on real estate law, handling commercial transactions and development projects. He negotiates financing agreements and lease arrangements while advising on property tax matters.
Kyle Gee
Partner
Kyle Gee specializes in litigation and appellate advocacy, representing clients in commercial disputes and employment cases. He has secured significant verdicts in complex legal matters across multiple jurisdictions.
Questions
What practice areas does Schneider Bell specialize in?
We specialize in business law, real estate, trusts and estates, litigation, and estate planning. Our attorneys provide comprehensive legal services across these core practice areas.
How long has Schneider Bell been in operation?
Schneider Bell has served clients since 1867, combining over 150 years of legal experience with modern strategies to address contemporary challenges.
In which states do your attorneys practice?
Our attorneys are licensed in Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, providing regional and national legal representation.
What distinguishes Schneider Bell from other law firms?
We combine a century-and-a-half of legal expertise with personalized service, holding multiple distinctions including seven ACTEC Fellows and Best Lawyers recognition.
