My path to practicing law
Strongsville roots and a strong academic foundation
I grew up in Strongsville and graduated from Strongsville High School. Mock trial first sparked my interest in becoming an attorney, but that early interest was followed by years of demanding academic work, practical legal training and courtroom experience.
Strongsville High School
I discovered an interest in law and advocacy through mock trial and later returned to coach the program at my alma mater.
The Ohio State University
I earned my B.A. in Economics magna cum laude and was a member of the Honors Program.
Moritz College of Law
I earned my J.D. cum laude and received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for earning the highest grade in the Civil Litigation Clinic.
Turning academic preparation into courtroom skill
At Ohio State’s Moritz College of Law, I paired strong academic performance with practical advocacy training. I was selected for the National Trial Team and won the 2011 Colley Trial Competition. Those experiences required the same habits that strong courtroom work demands: careful preparation, command of the facts, clear analysis and the ability to respond when a case changes in real time.
Early experience in prosecution and insurance litigation
Before entering private practice, I clerked with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and with State Farm Claims Litigation Counsel in San Francisco. My work with the Prosecutor’s Office introduced me to criminal cases from the government’s perspective, while my experience with State Farm exposed me to defense-side civil litigation and the way an insurance company evaluates and prepares injury claims.
That early experience gave me useful perspective on how opposing parties analyze evidence, assess risk and prepare cases. Today, I draw on that perspective when defending a criminal charge, negotiating with an insurance company or preparing a personal injury case for litigation.
Thousands of cases and extensive trial experience
I have practiced law in Ohio since 2012 and founded Godinsky Law to provide clients with direct, personal representation. I have handled thousands of cases and achieved successful results for clients facing traffic and OVI charges, misdemeanor cases, serious felony matters and personal injury litigation. I have represented clients in municipal, mayor’s and common pleas courts throughout Northeast Ohio.
That volume of experience has taught me that success begins with preparation. I identify the issues that matter, preserve useful evidence, examine witnesses, challenge testimony, make a clear record and prepare every case with the understanding that it may need to be tried.
Experience with the cases people hire me to handle
My practice is focused on the problems that bring local clients to court or put their financial future at risk. I do not hand those matters to a rotating lawyer or case manager. If I accept the case, I remain personally responsible for the strategy, preparation and significant decisions.
Traffic, speeding and OVI defense
I defend speeding tickets, reckless-operation charges, license and suspension cases, and OVI and DUI allegations involving breath, blood, urine, refusal and administrative-license-suspension issues.
Misdemeanor and felony defense
I handle theft, domestic violence, assault, protection-order violations and other misdemeanor charges, along with serious felony cases involving drugs, violence, property, weapons and sex-offense allegations.
Record sealing and expungement
I review Ohio record-sealing and expungement eligibility for convictions, dismissed charges and other eligible case outcomes, then personally prepare the application and handle the hearing when retained.
Personal injury and wrongful death
I represent people injured in car, truck and motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, dog bites and animal attacks, medical malpractice and wrongful-death cases. I have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients. Past results do not guarantee a future outcome.
Experience in the Northeast Ohio courts where clients need help
My office is directly across the street from Strongsville Mayor’s Court, where I frequently represent clients in speeding, traffic, OVI, theft and other misdemeanor cases. I also have extensive experience representing clients in Berea Municipal Court, including cases arising from Strongsville and the surrounding communities.
My municipal and mayor’s court practice also includes courts in Parma, Rocky River, Medina, Brunswick, Cleveland and other Northeast Ohio communities. For felony cases, I represent clients in the Cuyahoga, Medina and Lorain County common pleas courts. Familiarity with a courthouse never substitutes for evidence or preparation, but knowing the court’s procedures, scheduling and local practice helps me prepare clients for what comes next.
Personal representation means personal responsibility
When you hire Godinsky Law, you work directly with me. I listen to what happened, review the evidence and legal issues, explain the available options in plain English and remain responsible for the case. I want clients to understand not only what I recommend, but why.
My Strongsville office is near I-71 and directly across from the Strongsville Police Station and Strongsville Mayor’s Court. Outside the office, I remain connected to the community that first introduced me to trial advocacy. I am an avid Ohio State and Cleveland sports fan, enjoy time with family and friends and continue attempting to improve my golf game.