Mediator Resume

Experienced neutral in employment, tort, civil rights, business and landlord-tenant disputes. Has seen litigation from all sides - not only as a lawyer for employers and employees, but also as a decision-maker, both as an arbitrator and federal appellate law clerk. Commitment to practicing law the right way has earned the trust and respect of peers. Former President of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. Named by Super Lawyers Magazine to its list of the Top 100 Attorneys in Ohio for 2025 and recognized for work in employment law every year since 2014. Likewise, was named by Best Lawyers Magazine as the 2022 Cleveland Lawyer of the Year in employment law representing individuals.

Bolek Besser Glesius LLC - Managing Principal

Attorney

Principal, Bolek Besser Glesius LLC, 2011-Present; Adjunct Law Professor, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, 2016-2020; Of counsel, Law Office of Cathleen Bolek LLC, 2009-2010; Associate, Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease LLP, 2005-2009; Law Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2004-2005.

Experience representing both employers and employees in employment discrimination, retaliation, and harassment cases. Several years at a large law firm representing defendant-employers of all sizes. Current practice primarily representing employees in employment matters. Significant experience in cases involving: age discrimination, disability discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, FMLA violations, wage and hour, sexual harassment, retaliation and whistleblower cases, restrictive covenants and non-compete agreements, race discrimination, national origin discrimination, sex discrimination, and constitutional law.

Served as mediator in dozens of employment, tort, business, and commercial disputes. Holds a certificate in Mediation from Northwestern University. Serves on the mediation panel of the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio.

Views a mediator's role as service to clients and their counsel. Flexible approach to suit needs of those involved. Strives to build genuine rapport and therefore trust with clients, and to understand what motivates their stated goals. Typically begins with a facilitative role, but will switch to evaluative feedback for counsel and clients as circumstances dictate, if in best interests of a durable resolution.

The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (JD, summa cum laude - 2004); The George Washington University (BA - 2001).

Admitted to the Bar: Ohio (2004); U.S. District Court: Northern (2005) and Southern (2014) Districts of Ohio; U.S. Court of Appeals: Third (2005) and Sixth (2005) Circuits.

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (President, 2024-25; Board of Directors (2019-22); Certified Grievance Committee (Chair, 2019–20); Judicial Selection Committee); Cleveland Employment Inn of Court; Ohio Employment Lawyers Association; ACLU of Ohio, General Counsel; Ohio State Bar Association (Council of Delegates, 2016–2018; Ohio State Bar Association, Leadership Academy, 2011).

Frequently invited speaker on employment law, legal advocacy, and lawyer mental health. Selected examples include: Employment Law for Non-Profits, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association; Employment Leave Policies & Practices: The Intersection (and Clash) of Employer and Employee Expectations, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association; Avoid the Coin Flip: Winning Your Case with Jury Selection, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association; The Art of Persuasion, New Lawyer Bootcamp; Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association; Quick But Wrong: How Instincts Cause Lawyers to Make Bad Decisions, Ohio State Bar Association, Midwest Labor & Employment Law Conference.

Hourly Rate: Not provided Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: Not provided Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: Compensation rates, established by the AAA, are set forth in the applicable Consumer Mediation Procedures.

English

United States of America

Cleveland, Ohio