CJ Cottle graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2000. Prior to joining Kaman & Cusimano in 2006, he practiced in a high-volume civil litigation and criminal defense firm for local government.
CJ focuses on community association litigation and has successfully obtained favorable verdicts, judgments and appellate rulings in state and federal courts throughout Ohio. CJ has extensive experience in real estate law and has handled cases involving covenant enforcement, contractor disputes, construction defects, owner delinquencies and lawsuits, bankruptcy proceedings, tax appeals, evictions, easement rights, fraud and embezzlement schemes and complex civil litigation affecting our clients.
CJ also has extensive experience in administrative proceedings, including workmen’s compensation, Board of Revision and Board of Tax Appeals proceedings and zoning and planning commission hearings. In addition, CJ has delivered numerous presentations to municipal, state and federal governmental entities.
CJ is the first attorney in the State of Ohio to successfully litigate the disputed partition of a condominium association following a natural disaster to allow owners to benefit from federal relief funds.
CJ’s extensive background and practical experience enables him to effectively address the diverse and complex litigation needs of our clients, whether it be through successful pre-suit negotiation, mediation, or in the courtroom.
Most importantly, he understands the unique nature of community association living and the dynamics board members face when handling both internal and external disputes. CJ regularly attends association meetings and has served in the trenches with boards at their regular, special and annual meetings. In addition to advocacy, providing sound counsel and explaining complicated legal concepts in an easily understood fashion is a hallmark of CJ’s practice.
Education
- Miami University, B.A., 1996
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D., 2000
Courts
- Admitted to Ohio Bar, 2000
- Admitted to Northern District of Ohio, Federal Court, 2000
Associations
- Community Associations Institute
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
