20+ Years Handling
Complex And High-Asset Estate and Trust Disputes
Estate litigation attorney Adam Fried is a skilled problem-solver with decades of experience and a wealth of knowledge. He draws upon his skills and insight in resolving high-value assets wealth transfers, inheritance, fund mismanagement and elder exploitation.
About Us
Attorney & Partner
Shane Lawson
Shane is an experienced litigator and trial attorney who focuses his practice on trust and estate litigation and lawyer professional liability defense. He represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in all aspects of trust and estate disputes, including claims of breach of fiduciary duty, will/trust contest actions, executor and trustee removal actions, and claims to void beneficiary designations. Shane also has substantial experience defending attorneys in grievance proceedings and complex legal malpractice cases, particularly those arising out of probate disputes.
In the litigation context, Shane’s background in legal ethics gives him distinctive insights into fiduciary obligations, enabling him to more effectively identify issues and formulate compelling arguments. For lawyers serving as fiduciaries or counsel to fiduciaries, Shane also regularly provides proactive risk management and ethics advice, and defends his clients in disciplinary investigations and related proceedings.
Prior to joining Fried Law Group as a partner in 2024, Shane was a partner in the professional liability group of another Cleveland based regional law firm, where he defended fiduciaries and lawyers in civil litigation and disciplinary actions.
Education
Case Western Reserve University Law School, Cleveland, Ohio
J.D.
Honors: magna cum laude
Honors: Order of the Coif
Law Review, Case Western Reserve
University Law Review, Senior Editor, 2009, 2010
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio
B.A. and B.S. - 2006
Honors: cum laude
Major: International Business and Business Pre-Law
Bar Admissions
Ohio, 2010
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio
Honors
Rising Star, Ohio Super Lawyers, 2018 to 2024
Rising Star, Ohio Super Lawyers, 2014 to 2014
Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Insurance, 2023 to 2024
Classes and Seminars
Co-Presenter, “The Disciplinary Process: Recent Trends and Considerations,” U.S. Attorneys and Prosecutors Bi-Annual Ethics & Professionalism CLE Seminar, September 27, 2023
Co-Presenter, “Client Funds & Fee Agreements,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s Office Practice Management, December 2021
Panelist, “Tricks and Treats: A Professional Responsibility Update for Lawyers,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s Professional Conduct 2021: Super Scary Edition, Cleveland, Ohio, October 27, 2021
Co-Presenter, “Networking Effectively and Ethically,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s Small and Solo Expo, Cleveland, Ohio, October 18, 2019
“To Remove or Not to Remove: Court, Venue and Other Jurisdictional Considerations,” Gallagher Sharp Annual Spring Seminar, May 2013
Published Works
“The Countless & Curious Ways Lawyers Behave Badly,” November 2023
“Misconduct from the Bench: The Recent Increased Focus on Judicial Disciplinary Cases,” November 2022
“I Quit! Now What? Ethical Considerations When a Lawyer Departs A Firm,” November 2021
“Current Issues Concerning Professionalism: Mind Your Money-IOLTA Updates,” November 2020
“Law Practice Update: Navigating Settlement Restrictions and File Maintenance,” November, 2019
“Mind Your Money: IOLTA Updates,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s “The Nuts & Bolts of Law Practice Management,” Cleveland, Ohio, May 10, 2019
“A Cautionary Note on UPL: Practicing Law in a State is Not Limited to Practicing that State’s Law,” October 2018
“It’s not You, It’s Me: Ethical and Legal Considerations When Declining, Withdrawing From, and Referring Legal Representation,” November 2017
“Winding Down a Law Practice: Succession Planning, Safeguarding Client Interests, and Insurance Concerns,” November 2016
“Are you at Risk when Outside of your Jurisdiction: Legal and Ethical Pitfalls Arising from Multijurisdictional Practice,” November 2012
Professional Associations
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Former Chair, Ethics and Professionalism Committee
Ohio State Bar Association
American Bar Association
William K. Thomas American Inn of Court, Member
Advocating For Effective
SOLUTIONS IN ESTATE AND TRUST CONFLICTS
At Fried Law Group, a significant aspect of attorney Fried’s practice involves advocating and protecting vulnerable clients, particularly the elderly or those unable to defend themselves, from financial exploitation. He handles cases of undue influence where individuals may have been taken advantage of in the process of estate planning, the creation of beneficiary designation, and challenging trusts and beneficiary designations to protect his clients. He also tackles breach of trust issues such as trustees mismanaging funds or failing to maintain necessary communications, often referred to as “breach of trust.” Not all claims are well founded, and therefore, Mr. Fried also spends a significant portion of his practice defending fiduciaries and unfounded claims of undue influence and lack of capacity.
When dealing with estate litigation, attorney Fried handles complex cases involving high-net-worth families, individuals, and closely help companies. Given the complexity and emotional charge often involved in family inheritance claims, attorney Fried diligently works to create strong, coherent stories or arguments. His goal in doing this is to ensure the case is understandable and persuasive to others, such as judges or juries, especially when there are conflicting versions of events presented by the other side in the dispute.
RESOLVE YOUR ESTATE DISPUTES
With Effective Guidance
If you are facing complex estate or trust litigation issues, Attorney Fried has a firm grasp of working through these issues effectively and efficiently. Offering consultation to clients and counsel, including subjects of strategy and value. His goal is to empower you with the information you need to make informed decisions on all major aspects of the case. Through his legal knowledge he provides guidance, helping you make the right decisions for your case. Call Fried Law Group, at 216-930-5777 or complete the online contact form to speak with an experienced estate dispute lawyer.
Over 25 Years
Of Proven Experience
Having worked at a larger firm since 2000, attorney Fried brings over 24 years of extensive experience and knowledge to estate and trust litigation disputes to clients in the Cleveland metro. He established his firm Fried Law Group, in 2024 with a mission to resolve and guide clients in legal disputes with professionalism, skill and integrity.
Fried actively contributes to the legal community, including participation on the Ohio State Bar’s electronic wills task force, public speaking, publishing in the Probate Law Journal of Ohio, and engaging in scholarly activities such as lectures and authorship.
As a lawyer, he is passionate about the topic of financial exploitation and the aging community and has provided testimony against an Ohio Bill.
GET THE GUIDANCE YOU NEED
CONTACT US
3201 Enterprise Parkway Suite 350
Beachwood, OH 44122
216-930-3700
Awesome Tour
What We Do
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