Lauryn has experience handling a variety of complex commercial litigation in state and federal court.
As a member of Benesch’s litigation practice group, Lauryn supports Benesch’s partners by drafting and reviewing documents, conducting legal research, compiling exhibits, preparing for depositions and pre-trial matters, and assisting with trial and post-trial proceedings. Lauryn is skilled at providing practical, actionable advice on a quick timeframe, and frequently researches novel retail and e-commerce issues, both for the purposes of litigation and risk-mitigation. She has experience participating in numerous court hearings and independently defending a civil matter through summary judgment.
While in law school, Lauryn served as a Judicial Extern to the Honorable Melody Stewart of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Lauryn also served as the Vice Chairperson of the CSU Moot Court Team as well as an executive board member for the CSU Chapter of the Black Law Students’ Association.
Related Practices
Related Industries
Education
- Duquesne University, B.A. in Political Science and African Studies
- cum laude
- Dean’s List
- Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership
- Cleveland State University College of Law, J.D.
- Dean’s List
- Judicial Extern to the Honorable Melody Stewart, Supreme Court of Ohio
- Cleveland State University College of Law Moot Court Team, Vice Chairperson
- New York Bar Association Moot Court Competition, First Place
- American Bar Association Moot Court Competition
- Black Law Students’ Association, Cleveland State University College of Law, Executive Board Member
- Black Law Students’ Association, Cleveland State University College of Law, Outstanding Upperclassman Award
Credentials
- Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
Recognitions
- Lawyers of Color Hot List, 2022
Memberships
- FDCC Ladder Down, Cleveland Program, Class of 2023
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
- Norman S. Minor Bar Association
- Ohio Women’s Bar Association
Larry James has been at the heart of the Columbus business, legal, civic, and political scene for the last thirty years. He is a respected litigator, as well as an advisor to local and national leaders. In recognition of his many achievements, the law firm changed its name from Crabbe, Brown, Jones, Potts & Schmidt to Crabbe, Brown & James in January 2001. In 2011, The Ohio State University selected Mr. James as lead counsel to represent its student athletes in NCAA investigations. In 2013, Armen Keteyian published his book The System: The Glory and Scandal of Big-Time College Football, a chapter of which is dedicated to Larry’s work in representing the OSU football players. In 2012, Mr. James and his wife, Donna, were awarded the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus’ Humanitarians of the Year Award. In 2015, noted journalist Wil Haygood published his award-winning book Showdown: Thurgood Marshall and the Supreme Court Nomination That Changed America, which he dedicated to Mr. James. Mr. James is a life member of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference, and he has served as General Counsel of the National Fraternal Order of Police since 2001. He is also co-founder of the African-American Leadership Academy and a member of the Board of Trustees of Kenyon College. Practice Areas Business/Corporate General Defense Litigation Employment Law Professional Accomplishments 2014-2020 Board Member of Franklin County Guardianship Services 2011-2021 Trustee of the Kenyon College Board 2018-2019 Chair United Way Tocqueville 2018 Chair of Harlem Renaissance 100 Year Celebration for the City of Columbus 2009-2018 President of the Lincoln Theatre Association Board 2012-2015 Board Member Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2003-2010 Founder & Chair of the African American Leadership Academy 2002-2005 Board of Trustees Greater Columbus Arts Council 1987-2005 President Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Performing & Cultural Arts 2002-2004 Co-Chair Neighborhood School Development Partnership for the Columbus Public Schools 1992-2002 Board of Trustees Columbus Museum of Art 1992-1997 Board Member Rickenbacker Port Authority 1992-1996 Board of Trustees Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau 1992-1995 Board of Trustees Columbus Zoo 1990-1992 Board of Directors Contemporary American Theater Company (CATCO) 1989-1992 Member Ohio Supreme Court’s Board of Bar Examiners 1987-1989 Board of Trustees Columbus Urban League 1985-1989 Board of Trustees Veteran’s Memorial 1984-1989 Chairman Ohio Elections Commission
Bar Admissions United States Court of Appeals First, Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Circuits United States Supreme Court United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan Boards & Commissions 2018 Chair of Harlem Renaissance Celebration 2014-Present Board Member of Franklin County Guardianship Services 2011-Present Trustee of the Kenyon College Board 2009-2018 President of the Lincoln Theatre Association Board Education Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Juris Doctor, 1977 Wittenberg University, B.A. Political Science, 1974
Ikechukwu "Ike" Ekeke, JD, LLM, Criminal Lawyer turned IP Strategist, founded ECS&S, LLC. ECS&S, LLC strives to provide consultations, strategies, and solutions to people and businesses regarding starting a business, protecting their intellectual property and brands, and negotiating and mediating disputes.
Though Ike no longer teaches at Case Western Reserve University School of Law (CWRU Law) or its Clinics within Milton A. Kramer Law Clinic, Ike contributes to his alma mater when he remotely coaches the CWRU Law Black Law Student Association Mock Trial Team, who under his stewardship won 3rd Place at the National Competition in 2019 and multiple regional awards in other years.
Additionally, Ike investigates complaints made by the citizens of Cincinnati regarding constitutional and administrative violations as well as supervises the legal internship program for the Citizen's Complaint Authority in Cincinnati.
David represents clients in the construction, health care, and insurance industries in breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, indemnification, and subrogation actions among others. He has also represented clients in the banking, technology, and food production industries in various civil cases, including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and securities actions, as well as clients in the food service and manufacturing industries in employment litigation and employment counseling matters. He has assisted in all parts of litigation practice, including serving as second-chair counsel in a jury trial, briefing and arguing an appeal before the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals, taking depositions, conducting written discovery, and arguing pretrial motions. Related Practices Litigation Education University of Michigan Law School, 2015, J.D. Dean’s Scholarship University of Michigan, 2013, B.A. in Philosophy High Honors Credentials Ohio U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Recognitions Listed, The Best Lawyers in America©: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, 2022
Shaka S.J. Sadler is an associate of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. and a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She concentrates her practice in the area of general litigation with a particular emphasis in employment and labor law. Ms. Sadler has ample experience representing private and public sector employers in both state and federal court. She handles a wide range of employment and labor matters, including discrimination disputes, wage and hour cases, and wrongful termination claims. Ms. Sadler also counsels employers in an array of complex employment and labor matters involving union grievances, labor relations, non-compete agreements, employee discipline, and reductions in force. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Sadler practiced locally in Cleveland. Bar Admissions Ohio Education Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D. (2016) Allegheny College, B.S. (2012)