Overview
Colleen counsels clients across a range of areas including commercial contracts, product liability, business torts, trade secrets, personal injury, construction, and beer and alcohol regulations and operations. Skilled in both negotiation and litigation, she designs solutions to prevent disputes and drives defense strategies when it’s unavoidable.
Colleen has secured complete defense verdicts in state and federal courts for complex product liability cases involving both catastrophic and questionable injuries. Counsel to the Ohio Craft Brewers Association, she has particular experience in the alcohol and beverage industry, including advising craft breweries on regulatory and operational issues.
A trusted advisor to family businesses and Fortune 500 companies, Colleen is attuned to the needs of small to mid-sized companies. Her passion for practicing law stems from her desire to defend and protect what people value most—their principles and reputations.
Representative Experience
- Secured defense jury verdict for a bearings manufacturer in a $15 million grain dust explosion case involving catastrophic burn injuries, prevailing on manufacturing defect and warnings claims at trial and obtaining summary judgment on design claims.
- Achieved a defense verdict for ladder manufacturers in product liability cases involving retractable, wood staircases and fiberglass ladders seeking $1 million+ in damages.
- Obtained dismissal for an excavating company in a catastrophic crane collapse case involving two fatalities.
- Obtained a dismissal for a medical device manufacturer based upon federal preemption.
- Representation of Fortune 500 automotive lender in a nationwide class action involving contract, fraud, and Consumer Lease Act claims; obtained reversal of class certification and defense verdict for client on an individual claim.
- Successfully obtained summary judgment against a construction equipment company in a lawsuit in which the company attempted to hold the client personally liable for business debt; defended the decision in the Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals, which affirmed the trial court’s decision.
- Obtained zoning variances, liquor permits, trademarks, and regulatory guidance for a craft brewer and assisted with the opening of its brewery.
- Serves as counsel to the Ohio Craft Brewers Association.
- Procured voluntary dismissal of a class action complaint for purported TCPA violation for a healthcare payment processing company.
- Secured favorable outcome in an arbitration dispute for a general contractor on a public housing project.
Education & Admissions
Education
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 1995
- Law Review
- Award of Excellence in Evidence and Civil Procedure
- Order of the Coif
- Boston College, B.A. Political Science, magna cum laude, 1990
- Varsity Softball
- Varsity Golf
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member (1995 – Present)
- Ohio Craft Brewers Association, Allied Member and Legal Advisor (2014 – Present)
- ALFA International
- Product Liability and Complex Tort Practice Group
- Chair (2024 – Present)
- Vice Chair (2022 – 2024)
- Program Chair (2020 – Present)
- Steering Committee, Member (2010 – Present)
- Strategic Committee, Member (2019 – Present)
- Marketing, Chair (2019 – 2020)
- Webinar Programs, Chair (2018 – 2019)
- Product Liability Perspectives Newsletter, Editor (2010 – 2014)
- Product Liability and Complex Tort Practice Group
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member (2011 – Present)
Community Involvement
- Lifebanc, Board Member (2021 – Present)
- President (2018 – 2019)
- President-Elect (2016 – 2017)
- Board Member, Secretary (2010 – 2015)
- Community Development and Outreach Committee (2010 – 2016)
- Legacy of Life Gala Committee, Co-Chair (2011– 2014)
- “Over the Edge” Rappel, Participant (2019; 2021)
- Youth Challenge, President (2015 – 2016)
- Board Member, Secretary (2009 – 2014)
- Westwood Country Club, Legal Counsel (2010 – 2015)
- American Lung Association
- Northeast Ohio WCC Fundraising Committee (2012 – 2013)
- Fall Classic, Co-Chair (2012)
- Recovery Resources, Associate Board Member (1999)
- Harvey Rice School, Tutor (1998)
Awards & Honors
- Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in Commercial Litigation (2025)
- Recognized as a Super Lawyer by Ohio Super Lawyers (2024 – Present)
- Awarded the Women of Professional Excellence Award by YWCA of Greater Cleveland (2017)
Publications
- “New Reporting Requirement for Brewers Under the Corporate Transparency Act,” Ohio Craft Brewers Association Newsletter (February 2024)
- “Will the Proposed Amendments to Evidence Rule 702 Curb Unreliable Expert Testimony?” Frantz Ward Client Alert (August 2021)
- “Do You Have a Good No-Harassment Policy?” Ohio Craft Brewers Association Newsletter (March 2019)
- “Seller Beware: State Agencies Starting to “Embargo” Ohio CBD Products,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (February 2019)
- “If You Could Read My Mind Love…What a Tale My Thoughts Could Tell, ALFA International Hospitality & Retail Columbus Regional Seminar, Columbus, OH (October 2018)
- “Beer Storage Problem? TTB Issues Guidance On Alternation of Brewery For Storage of Tax and Non-Tax Determined Beer” Frantz Ward Client Alert (June 2018)
- “Apportioning Liability to the Immune Empty Chair” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (May 2018)
- “Time For a Spring Tune Up” Frantz Ward On the Level (April 2018)
- “Brewer ALErt: To Build a STOUT Brand, Trademarks Should Be a PrincIPAl Concern,” Ohio Craft Brewers Association Newsletter (February 2018)
- Editor, Product Liability Perspectives, ALFA International (2010-2015)
- “Duty to Warn in Ohio Only Extends to Safety Related Defects,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (December 2014)
- “How Much Compliance is Enough Under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act?” Product Liability Perspectives (September 2012)
- “Liability of Component Part Manufacturers in Relation to Whole Product Manufacturers and Plaintiff; Economic Loss Rule as a Defense; Legacy Equipment Liability (Ohio),” ALFA International Product Compendium (November 2011)
- “The Sophisticated Purchaser Doctrine in Ohio,” The Update, Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (Summer 2010)
- “Recent Failure to Warn Ruling Raises Concern About Reliance on Common Sense,” Law360 (August 2009)
Presentations & Lectures
- “From Cradle to Court. The essentials for effective and efficient contract procurement, negotiating, and drafting” ALFA Regional PL&CT Conference, Cleveland, OH (May 2024)
- “Ohio Alcoholic Beverage Regulations,” Ohio Craft Brewers Association (OCBA) Annual Conference, Webinar (June 2020)
- “Hot Topics in Product Liability,” ALFA Product Liability & Complex Torts PG Seminar, Marana, AZ (September 2019)
- “Rules and Risks in Communicating with Former Employees in Litigation,” Frantz Ward Litigation Seminar, Cleveland, OH (September 2019)
- “If You Could Only Read My Mind Love… What a Tale My Thoughts Could Tell,” ALFA International Hospitality & Retail Columbus Regional Seminar, Columbus, OH (October 2018)
- “Pain Management—Ways to Make Litigation Less Burdensome Before It Happens,” Frantz Ward Litigation Panel Series, Cleveland, OH (September 2018)
- “Vendor Contracts,” Northeast Ohio Association of Corporate Counsel, Cleveland, OH (June 2018)
- “Business Tune Up Seminar,” Presenter (May 2018)
- “Franchise Law and the Impact of Recent Case Decisions,” Ohio Craft Brewers Association Annual Conference, Cincinnati, OH (February 2017)
- “Developing Success Strategies Based on Client Needs and Perspectives,” Frantz Ward Litigation Seminar, Cleveland, OH (October 2015)
- “Defending Against the Rambo Litigator,” National Business Institute, Independence, OH (September 2015)
- “Daubert, Damages, and Divining Class Certification Post Walmart and Comcast: A new era or business as usual? Class Action Update for 2014,” ALFA International Products Liability Seminar Compendium, Colorado Springs, CO (July 2014)
Representative Experience
- Secured defense jury verdict for a bearings manufacturer in a $15 million grain dust explosion case involving catastrophic burn injuries, prevailing on manufacturing defect and warnings claims at trial and obtaining summary judgment on design claims.
- Achieved a defense verdict for ladder manufacturers in product liability cases involving retractable, wood staircases and fiberglass ladders seeking $1 million+ in damages.
- Obtained dismissal for an excavating company in a catastrophic crane collapse case involving two fatalities.
- Obtained a dismissal for a medical device manufacturer based upon federal preemption.
- Representation of Fortune 500 automotive lender in a nationwide class action involving contract, fraud, and Consumer Lease Act claims; obtained reversal of class certification and defense verdict for client on an individual claim.
- Successfully obtained summary judgment against a construction equipment company in a lawsuit in which the company attempted to hold the client personally liable for business debt; defended the decision in the Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals, which affirmed the trial court’s decision.
- Obtained zoning variances, liquor permits, trademarks, and regulatory guidance for a craft brewer and assisted with the opening of its brewery.
- Serves as counsel to the Ohio Craft Brewers Association.
- Procured voluntary dismissal of a class action complaint for purported TCPA violation for a healthcare payment processing company.
- Secured favorable outcome in an arbitration dispute for a general contractor on a public housing project.
Education & Admissions
Education
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 1995
- Law Review
- Award of Excellence in Evidence and Civil Procedure
- Order of the Coif
- Boston College, B.A. Political Science, magna cum laude, 1990
- Varsity Softball
- Varsity Golf
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member (1995 – Present)
- Ohio Craft Brewers Association, Allied Member and Legal Advisor (2014 – Present)
- ALFA International
- Product Liability and Complex Tort Practice Group
- Chair (2024 – Present)
- Vice Chair (2022 – 2024)
- Program Chair (2020 – Present)
- Steering Committee, Member (2010 – Present)
- Strategic Committee, Member (2019 – Present)
- Marketing, Chair (2019 – 2020)
- Webinar Programs, Chair (2018 – 2019)
- Product Liability Perspectives Newsletter, Editor (2010 – 2014)
- Product Liability and Complex Tort Practice Group
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member (2011 – Present)
Community Involvement
- Lifebanc, Board Member (2021 – Present)
- President (2018 – 2019)
- President-Elect (2016 – 2017)
- Board Member, Secretary (2010 – 2015)
- Community Development and Outreach Committee (2010 – 2016)
- Legacy of Life Gala Committee, Co-Chair (2011– 2014)
- “Over the Edge” Rappel, Participant (2019; 2021)
- Youth Challenge, President (2015 – 2016)
- Board Member, Secretary (2009 – 2014)
- Westwood Country Club, Legal Counsel (2010 – 2015)
- American Lung Association
- Northeast Ohio WCC Fundraising Committee (2012 – 2013)
- Fall Classic, Co-Chair (2012)
- Recovery Resources, Associate Board Member (1999)
- Harvey Rice School, Tutor (1998)
Awards & Honors
- Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in Commercial Litigation (2025)
- Recognized as a Super Lawyer by Ohio Super Lawyers (2024 – Present)
- Awarded the Women of Professional Excellence Award by YWCA of Greater Cleveland (2017)
Publications
- “New Reporting Requirement for Brewers Under the Corporate Transparency Act,” Ohio Craft Brewers Association Newsletter (February 2024)
- “Will the Proposed Amendments to Evidence Rule 702 Curb Unreliable Expert Testimony?” Frantz Ward Client Alert (August 2021)
- “Do You Have a Good No-Harassment Policy?” Ohio Craft Brewers Association Newsletter (March 2019)
- “Seller Beware: State Agencies Starting to “Embargo” Ohio CBD Products,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (February 2019)
- “If You Could Read My Mind Love…What a Tale My Thoughts Could Tell, ALFA International Hospitality & Retail Columbus Regional Seminar, Columbus, OH (October 2018)
- “Beer Storage Problem? TTB Issues Guidance On Alternation of Brewery For Storage of Tax and Non-Tax Determined Beer” Frantz Ward Client Alert (June 2018)
- “Apportioning Liability to the Immune Empty Chair” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (May 2018)
- “Time For a Spring Tune Up” Frantz Ward On the Level (April 2018)
- “Brewer ALErt: To Build a STOUT Brand, Trademarks Should Be a PrincIPAl Concern,” Ohio Craft Brewers Association Newsletter (February 2018)
- Editor, Product Liability Perspectives, ALFA International (2010-2015)
- “Duty to Warn in Ohio Only Extends to Safety Related Defects,” Frantz Ward Client Alert (December 2014)
- “How Much Compliance is Enough Under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act?” Product Liability Perspectives (September 2012)
- “Liability of Component Part Manufacturers in Relation to Whole Product Manufacturers and Plaintiff; Economic Loss Rule as a Defense; Legacy Equipment Liability (Ohio),” ALFA International Product Compendium (November 2011)
- “The Sophisticated Purchaser Doctrine in Ohio,” The Update, Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (Summer 2010)
- “Recent Failure to Warn Ruling Raises Concern About Reliance on Common Sense,” Law360 (August 2009)
Presentations & Lectures
- “From Cradle to Court. The essentials for effective and efficient contract procurement, negotiating, and drafting” ALFA Regional PL&CT Conference, Cleveland, OH (May 2024)
- “Ohio Alcoholic Beverage Regulations,” Ohio Craft Brewers Association (OCBA) Annual Conference, Webinar (June 2020)
- “Hot Topics in Product Liability,” ALFA Product Liability & Complex Torts PG Seminar, Marana, AZ (September 2019)
- “Rules and Risks in Communicating with Former Employees in Litigation,” Frantz Ward Litigation Seminar, Cleveland, OH (September 2019)
- “If You Could Only Read My Mind Love… What a Tale My Thoughts Could Tell,” ALFA International Hospitality & Retail Columbus Regional Seminar, Columbus, OH (October 2018)
- “Pain Management—Ways to Make Litigation Less Burdensome Before It Happens,” Frantz Ward Litigation Panel Series, Cleveland, OH (September 2018)
- “Vendor Contracts,” Northeast Ohio Association of Corporate Counsel, Cleveland, OH (June 2018)
- “Business Tune Up Seminar,” Presenter (May 2018)
- “Franchise Law and the Impact of Recent Case Decisions,” Ohio Craft Brewers Association Annual Conference, Cincinnati, OH (February 2017)
- “Developing Success Strategies Based on Client Needs and Perspectives,” Frantz Ward Litigation Seminar, Cleveland, OH (October 2015)
- “Defending Against the Rambo Litigator,” National Business Institute, Independence, OH (September 2015)
- “Daubert, Damages, and Divining Class Certification Post Walmart and Comcast: A new era or business as usual? Class Action Update for 2014,” ALFA International Products Liability Seminar Compendium, Colorado Springs, CO (July 2014)
