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Frantz Ward LLP

United States 2025
National flag for United States 10 National Rankings
35 Regional Rankings
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Overview

Frantz Ward is a full-service law firm committed to providing clients with practical, responsive, and cost-effective legal solutions. The firm serves a national client base, including Fortune 500 companies, small and medium-sized businesses and individuals. The firm’s attorneys and practices receive national recognition. Frantz Ward operates out of its contemporary office in downtown Cleveland and is home to approximately 65 attorneys. Through the firm’s significant national experience, practice in jurisdictions across the country, and membership and involvement with ALFA International, a global network of law firms, we serve our clients’ needs globally.
Founded:
2000
Size:
0
Magnifying glass with star icon
Practice Areas:
24
Person outline with Best Lawyers logo
Best Lawyers Recognized:
37

Rankings

National

Tier
1
National Ranking
Securities Regulation
Tier
2
National Ranking
Commercial Litigation
Tier
2
National Ranking
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Tier
2
National Ranking
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
3
National Ranking
Corporate Law
Tier
3
National Ranking
Employment Law - Management

Regional

Cleveland

Tier
1
Cleveland
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
Cleveland
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Tier
1
Cleveland
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Cleveland
Construction Law
Tier
1
Cleveland
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Cleveland
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

Firm Leadership

Joel R. Hlavaty
Partner, Managing Committee
Christopher G. Keim
Managing Partner, Management Committee
Michael J. Frantz
Partner, Management Committee

About Our Clients

Our client base ranges from individuals to small privately-held businesses to publicly-traded Fortune 500 companies. We serve local clients on a national level and national clients on a local level. Each client and industry presents its own unique challenge, and our attorneys have the broad range of skills and experience necessary to meet those challenges.

The industries and market segments we represent include:
Automotive
Banking
Chemical
Construction
Consumer Products
Developers
Distributors
Energy & Utilities
Finance
Food Service/Distribution
Franchising
Health Care
Hospitals
Insurance & Reinsurance
Landscaping
Lending
Long-Term Care
Manufacturing
Non-Profits
Professional Services
Real Estate Brokers
Retail
Senior Housing
Telecommunications
Trucking/Transportation
Universities and Colleges

Rankings

National

Tier
1
National Ranking
Securities Regulation
Tier
2
National Ranking
Commercial Litigation
Tier
2
National Ranking
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Tier
2
National Ranking
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
3
National Ranking
Corporate Law
Tier
3
National Ranking
Employment Law - Management
Tier
3
National Ranking
Labor Law - Management
Tier
3
National Ranking
Litigation - Antitrust
Tier
3
National Ranking
Litigation - Real Estate
Tier
3
National Ranking
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs

Regional

Cleveland

Tier
1
Cleveland
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
Cleveland
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Tier
1
Cleveland
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Cleveland
Construction Law
Tier
1
Cleveland
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Cleveland
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
1
Cleveland
Employment Law - Management
Tier
1
Cleveland
Labor Law - Management
Tier
1
Cleveland
Litigation - Construction
Tier
1
Cleveland
Litigation - Health Care
Tier
1
Cleveland
Litigation - Insurance
Tier
1
Cleveland
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
1
Cleveland
Litigation - Real Estate
Tier
1
Cleveland
Litigation - Securities
Tier
1
Cleveland
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Tier
1
Cleveland
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
1
Cleveland
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
Tier
1
Cleveland
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Tier
1
Cleveland
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Tier
1
Cleveland
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
Cleveland
Securities Regulation
Tier
1
Cleveland
Tax Law
Tier
1
Cleveland
Trusts and Estates
Tier
2
Cleveland
Arbitration
Tier
2
Cleveland
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
2
Cleveland
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Tier
2
Cleveland
Financial Services Regulation Law
Tier
2
Cleveland
Health Care Law
Tier
2
Cleveland
Labor Law - Union
Tier
2
Cleveland
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Tier
2
Cleveland
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
2
Cleveland
Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
Tier
3
Cleveland
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier
3
Cleveland
Education Law
Tier
3
Cleveland
Litigation - Antitrust

Practice Areas

Frantz Ward LLP has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 35 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Education Law
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Food and Beverage Law
  • Health Care Law
  • Labor Law - Management
  • Litigation - Antitrust
  • Litigation - Insurance
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Litigation - Real Estate
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
  • Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
  • Real Estate Law
  • Trade Secrets Law
  • Trusts and Estates
  • Workers' Compensation Law - Employers

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Frantz Ward LLP proudly has 37 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
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Client Comments

A strong relationship between a client and their law firm is key to achieving the best possible outcomes. Open communication, trust, and collaboration ensure that attorneys understand each client’s unique goals and needs. Choosing the right firm means finding a team with the experience, knowledge, and dedication to guide you through every stage of the legal process.
Client comments reflect personal opinions and individual experiences. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Past results and testimonials do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. For personalized legal advice, consult directly with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your specific situation and provide tailored guidance.
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Awards

Frantz Ward LLP is honored to be recognized for excellence by Best Law Firms and other leading legal industry organizations. Our rankings and awards reflect the dedication, skill, and results our attorneys deliver across a wide range of practice areas. In addition to our Best Law Firms awards, Frantz Ward LLP has earned accolades from respected national and regional publications for outstanding legal service and professional achievement. Explore our awards below to learn more about how Frantz Ward LLP continues to set the standard for quality legal representation.
Medical Mutual of Ohio Pillar Award for Community Service
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Green + Certification

Offices & Contacts

Cleveland, OH
200 Public Square, Suite 3000
Cleveland, OH 44114
United States
216-515-1660
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